as the Apostle calleth the spirits of just men made perfect Heb. 12. 23. the spirits of the Fathers which were returned to God who gave them as Eccles. 12. 7. shall one man sinne in Greeke if one man hath sinned as if they should say All have not sinned why wilt thou be wroth with all Vpon this intercession the Lord spareth the people that would depart from the rebells verse 24. Verse 24. the tabernacle this seemeth to bee put for tabernacles or dwellings the Greeke translateth it the congregation so in vers 27. where the Greeke also keepeth the word Tabernacle which in vers 26. is called Tents Vers. 25. the elders the Greeke addeth all the elders went after him in Greeke went with him that is accompanied him Verse 26. these wicked men in Greeke these hard men the originall word properly signifieth restlesse turbulent and such as for their sinnes are worthy to be condemned see the notes on Psal. 1. 1. touch not any thing because as they themselves so all things of theirs were uncleane and execrable and therefore to perish with them vers 32. Verse 27. came out and stood Heb. came out standing which the Greeke explaineth came out and stood and these two phrases are one as where it is said that Iesus blessed and breaking gave to the disciples Mat. 14. 19. the other Evangelists explaine it he blessed and brake and gave Luke 9. 16. Mark 6. 41. so Saying unto them Matth. 21. 2. is And saith unto them Mark 11. 2. This their standing up argueth their boldnesse in so bad a cause for standing up is a gesture denoting courage Iob 33. 5. and 41. 10. 1 Sam. 17. 8. 16. Thus Pride went before destruction and an haughty spirit before a fall as Prov. 16. 18. Verse 28. all these workes both the former in appointing Aaron to the Priest-hood and the Levites in stead of the first-borne and these latter in appointing Korah and his company to bring their censers with incense c. of mine owne heart which the Chaldee explaineth of mine owne will the Greeke of my selfe For things devised of ones owne heart are noted for evill 1 King 12. 33. Ezek. 13. 17. Vers. 29. as all men die their ordinarie naturall death which the Greeke translateth after the death of all men Verse 30. create a new thing Hebr. create a creature that is doe a new and wonderfull worke to kill them with such a death as never man died before them Of this word create see the notes on Gen. 1. 1. it is applied here to a strange and extraordinarie worke of judgment as in Esai 45. 7. God is said to create evill and in Exod. 34. 10. to create marvels and in Esai 48. 6. 7. new and â—idden things God would create And as evill so good things which are new and strange are said to be created of God Esa. 65. 18. alive living haile and sound not consumed with sicknesse as ordinarily men are before death and buriall unto hell into the grave or state of death see the notes on Gen. 37. 35. To this iudgement the Prophet hath reference praying against his enemies Lâ—t them goe downe alive to hell Psal. 55. 16. Verse 32. swallowed up them to wit Dathan and Abiram as in Psal. 106. 17. The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan and covered over the congregation of Abiram So David prayed against his enemies swallow them up o Lord Psal. 55. 10. their houses that is housholds as the Chaldee expoundeth it the men of their houses appertained unto Korah The Greeke translateth and all the men that were with Kore and the Chaldee the men that pertained to Korah But the sonnes of Korah are to be excepted for they either not partaking with or forsaking their Fathers sinne died not see Num. 26. 21. And whereas mention was made of On the sonne of Reuben in verse 1. but not here nor any where of his death neither in verse 12. of his calling or refusall to come up it is to be thought that either he repented upon Moses reproofe and so was spared from destruction or if not so he is implied among the rest though not named in particular their substance or their goods which the Greeke translateth their cattell and so the originall word implieth as in 1 Chron. 27. 31. 2 Chron. 31. 3. and 35. 7. See the notes on Gen. 12. 5. And not their cattell onely but all their other goods even their tents were swallowed into the earth Deut. 11. 6. Here wee may behold the truth of that Proverbe Riches profit not in the day of wrath but iustice delivereth from death Prov. 11. 4. Vers. 33. closed upon them or covered over them so there was no hope left for their recoverie Against such judgement David prayeth Let not the gulse swallow me neither let the pit shut her mouth upon me Psal. 69. 16. Vers. 34. at the voice of them at their crie or noise which they made when they perished So in Ier. 49. 21. At the voice or noise of their fall the earth is moved c. and I made the nations to shake at the noise of his fall Ezek. 31. 16. Lest the earth swallow us an unperfect speech through feare such as is often used in dangers as in Psal. 38. 17. Rom. 11. 21. Thus the present judgement terrified them and When the scorner is punished the simple is made wise Prov. 21. 11. Vers. 35. devoured or did eat the 250. men They sinned in burning incense which belonged to the Priests onely and with burning they were punished like the judgement on Aarons sonnes that transgressed also therein Levit. 10. 1 2. Of this David singeth A fire burned in their congregation a flame burnt up the wicked Psal. 106. 18. Vers. 37. unto Eleazar Chazkuni here observeth that God would not have Aaron to bee defiled by going among the dead because he was one of them that offered vers 17. out of the burning that is as the Greeke well explaineth it from among those that are burnt So in Num. 21. 1. captivitie is for a company of captives and in 2 King 24. 14. Povertie for a company of poore people and many the like the fire which is in the censers vers 7. The Greeke saith the strange fire as Lev. 10. 1. yonder in Greeke there which Sol. Iarchi expoundeth on the earth out of the censers others out of the court of the Sanctuarie By casting away the fire the Lord signifieth the rejecting of their service as profane So in Rev. 8. 5. the Angell tooke the censer and filled it with fire of the Altar and cast it into the earth and there were voices and thunderings c. Which being compared with vers 3 4. seemeth to teach likewise a rejecting of the service of Antichristians which abuse and despise Christs mediation and therefore it is turned unto them to judgement Vers. 38. sinners against their soules Sinners are here often used for notorious wicked persons as Destroy the sinners
great If a man have no lambe to redeeme it with hee may redeeme it with the value of it and give the price to the Priest The Law commandeth not a Lambe to make it heavier upon him but lighter For if hee have the firstling of an Asse which is worth ten shekels he may redeeme it with a lambe worth a quarter of a shekell But the price in money is from three zuzims and upward that is three quarters of a shekell for one zoz is the fourth part of a shekell If the price be lesse then three zuzims they redeeme it not therewith and a good eye that is a liberall person giveth not lesse then a shekell Maimony in treat of Firstfruits Chap. 12. Sect. 10. c. breake the necke the Chaldee saith kill it They might have no use or benefit of the Asse till it was redeemed If hee sold it before it was redeemed the price was unlawfull If it dyed before it was redeemed or if the necke was broken it was buried For it was unlawfull to make benefit of it even after the necke was broken because it was not redeemed Therefore if hee redeemed it not but gave the Asse it selfe to the Priest it was unlawfull for the Priest to put it to any service vntill it was redeemed with a lambe Maimony ibidem Chap. 12. Sect. 4. they shall not appeare or my face shall not be seene to wit by any man the Greeke saith thou shalt not appeare empty without an oblation see Exod. 23. 15. Vers. 21. labour or serve see the notes on Exodus 20. 9. For this in Exod. 23. 12. is written sixe dayes thou shalt doe thy workes Vers. 22. observe to thee Hebr. doe to thee meaning observe or make holy celebrate According to this phrase is to doe the Sabbath day Exod. 31. 16. Deut. 5. 15. to dee the Passeover Deut. 16. 1. Matt. 26. 18. to doe the feast of Boothes Deut 16. 13. and the like The Greeke translateth Thou shalt doe that is observe to me of weeks or of sevens a feast seven weeks after the Passeover called Pentecost Lev. 23. 15. 16. Act. 2. 1. it was also called harvest Exod. 23. 16. revolution or circumvolution circuit that is the returne as the revolution of the yeere 2 Chron. 24. 23. is explained to be the returne of it 1 King 20. 26. when the old yeere endeth and the new beginneth This was in the seventh moneth which we call September see the notes on Exod. 23. 16. Vers. 23. every male of thee or all thy male-kind see Exod. 23. 17. Deut. 16. 16. Vers. 24. no man to wit of thy neighbours or enemies round about thee shall have the heart to set upon thy coasts when all the men are gathered before me Vers. 25. not slay for sacrifice as in Exodus 23. 18. see the notes there sacrifice in Greeke sacrifices meaning of the Passeover as after is explained Hence the Hebrewes gather their rite of purging Leven out of their houses before the Passeover they expound it thus Thou shalt not slay the Passeover whiles Leven yet remaineth Now the killing of the Passover is the fourteenth of Abib after midday Maimony treat of Levened and Unlevenedbread Chap. 2. Sect. 1. See more in the notes on Exod 12. vers 15. and vers 10. Vers. 26. first or beginning of the fruits see Ex. 23. 19. a kid in Greeke a lambe in Chaldee thou shalt not eate flesh with milke and the Ierusalemy Thargum addeth not to boyle nor to eat flesh and milke mixed together See Exod. 23. 19. Vers. 27. tenour Hebrew the mouth of these words which the Chaldee expounds the speech of these words have stricken or doe strike that is make for these precepts were both given before and now repeated Vers. 28. he that is God wrote vers 1. ten words that is ten commandements which therefore we call of the Greeke name the Decalogue Ten is often used for many as ten times meane many times Gen. 31. 7. Iob 19. 3. ten men Zach. 8. 23. and ten women Lev. 26. 26. and ten thousands Heb. 12. 22. that is many and as other numbers are made of ten by reduplication so all other writings of the Law and Prophets depend upon these ten words so by this number ten God gave a perfect and compleat Law And Words are used for whole sentences or commandements as Paul saith also one word Cal. 5. 14. when he rehearseth a commandement and that is called the Word of God in Marke 7. 13. which another calleth the Commandement of God Matt. 15. 6. These ten words were according to the first writing and to the words which were spoken before in the day of the Assembly Deut. 10. 4. Vers. 29. shone which the Greeke translateth was glorious and so the Apostle alleadgeth it in 2 Cor. 3. where by glory is meant shining brightnesse as in 1 Cor. 15. 41. there is one glory of the Sun and another glory that is brightnesse of the Moone c. and the Israelites could not behold the face of Moses for the glory that is the brightnesse of his countenance 2 Cor. 3. 7. and the earth was lightned with the glory of the Angell Rev. 18. 1. The Chaldee also translateth Moses knew not that the brightnesse of the glory of his face was multiplied The Latine version saith Moses face was horned mistaking the word for of the Hebrew Karan which is to shine or cast forth glorious beames the name Keren or Horne is derived in which sense the Latine translated it here and gave occasion unto the ignorant to paint Moses face with two hornes like an Oxe whereby this glorious mystery hath been obscured and turned to a fable For the glory of Moses face signified the glory of the Law which he preached 2 Cor. 3. 7. c. Vers. 30. feared for Moses his ministration was death and condemnation 1 Cor. 3. 7. 9. because the Law giveth knowledge of sin and causeth wrath Rom. 3. 20. and 4. 15. and therefore the more bright and glorious that it is the more terrour it striketh in all mens hearts there being a weaknesse and impossibility in all men to do the same Rom. 8. 3. For Aaron himselfe and all the Rulers were afraid of Moses as well as the other people even as at the first giving of the Law Moses himselfe with all the people were affrighted and trembled Exodus 19. Vers. 33. and he put or and hee had put a veil but the Greeke translateth And when he had ceased speaking unto them he put a veil c. that is after this first communing with them when hee knew the cause of their feare he put on a veil or covering which signified the obscurity of the Law whos 's first true and proper meaning and end could not easily be discerned also the darknesse that is in all mens hearts naturally till God take away the veil and hardnesse that is upon them For so the Apostle speaketh of a double veile one outward
hundred Of the sonnes of Aser by their generations according to their families according to the house of their fathers by the number of the names from twentie yeeres old and upward every one that went forth with the armie Those that were mustered of them of the tribe of Aser were one and fortie thousand and five hundred The sonnes of Naphtali by their generations according to their families according to the house of their fathers by the number of the names from twentie yeeres old and upward every one that went forth with the armie Those that were mustered of them of the tribe of Naphtali were three and fiftie thousand and foure hundred These are those that were mustered which Moses mustered and Aaron and the Princes of Israel twelve men each one was for the house of his fathers And they were all those that were mustered of the sonnes of Israel according to the house of their fathers from twentie yeeres old and upward everyone that went forth with the armie in Israel Even all that were mustered were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fiftie But the Levites according to the tribe of their fathers were not mustered among them For Iehovah had spoken unto Moses saying Onely the tribe of Levi thou shalt not muster neither take the summe of them among the sonnes of Israel But thou appoint the Levites over the Tabernacle of the Testimonie and over all the vessels thereof and over all things that belong to it they shall beare the Tabernacle and all the vessels thereof and they sha 〈…〉 minister unto it and shall encampe round about the Tabernacle And when the Tabernacle setteth forward the Levites shall take it downe and when the Tabernacle is to be pitched the Levites shall set it up and the stranger that commeth nigh shall be put to death And the sonnes of Israel shall encampe every man by his owne campe and every man by his owne standard throughout their armies But the Levites shall encampe round about the Tabernacle of the Testimonie that there be no fervent wrath upon the congregation of the sonnes of Israel and the Levites shall keepe the charge of the Tabernacle of the Testimonie And the sonnes of Israel did so according to all that Iehovah commanded Moses so did they Annotations NVmbers This name is given unto this booke according to the Greeke title because the first chiefe thing here handled is the numbring of the tribes of Israel The Hebrewes give it no other name then of the first words Vajedabber that is And the LORD spake or Bemidbar that is In the wildernesse see the first annotations on Genesis and Exodus And here beginneth the 34. section or lecture of the Law whereof see Gen. 6. 9. Verse 1. Sinai the mount whereon the Law had beene given Exod. 19. by which mountaine Israel yet abode untill the twentieth day of this moneth Numb 10. 11. 12. the Tent or Tabernacle of meeting whither the people were to assemble at the times appointed and where God met with them as he promised Exod. 25. 22. It is called also the Tabernacle of Testimonie v. 43. and so the Greeke translateth it here the first Hebr. the one understanding day as in Mat. 26. 17. compared with Marke 14. 12. see the notes on Gen. 8. 13. And one is often put for first as is noted on Gen. 1. 5. And every first day of the moneth was a feast Numb 28. 11. c. second moneth which we now call Aprill so in Thargum Ionathan it is said the first of the moneth Ijar that is Aprill which is the second moneth In the Scripture it is named Ziv 1. King 6. 1. of the brightnesse and beautie of the flowers which then doe spring But God had spoken before unto them in the first moneth which is related after in Numb 9. 1. c. after their comming forth or of their departing seethe annotations on Exod. 16. 1. God having given them lawes for his service in Exodus and Leviticus doth now settle their church and commonwealth in order Vers. 2. the summe Hebr. the head which some vnderstand for heads that is the Rulers but the Chaldee expoundeth it the summe or count see the notes on Exod. 30. 12. This people was numbred by Moses three times in the first yeere after they came out of Egypt when every man gave a ransome for his soule whereby their redemption by Christ was figured Exod. 30. 11 12. c. 38. 25 26. In the second yeere when now they were to be set in order for their encamping about the Sanctuarie and journeying with it towards Canaan whereof the 4. first chapters of this booke doe treat The third and last muster was in the fortieth yeere the last of their travell when all this generation being dead their sonnes were numbred for to receive inheritance in the land of promise a Figure of the Kingdome of Heaven the sonnes of Israel the twelue tribes Gen. 49. 1. 2. 28. So all strangers are excluded from this numbring The Levites also were numbred apart vers 49. c. families or kindreds which next descended of those twelve tribes of which families see Numb 26. 5. c. house that is as the Greeke translateth houses and these were the next descent of the families aforesaid See Ios. 7. 14. Aben Esra here noteth that it is said the house of their fathers because the familie of the mother is not called a familie everymale whereby the females are excluded as also all children vers 3. their polles or their skulles that is as the Greeke translateth their heads meaning the particular persons so in Exod. 38. 26. V. 3. old Hebr. sonne of twentie yeeres that is going in his twentieth yeere of which phrase see the annotations on Gen. 5. 32. So all children and youths under 20. yeeres were not in this account upward some of the Hebrewes limit the time unto sixtie yeeres old R. Menachem on Numb 1. but the law setteth no such limitation that goeth forth to wit usually or is able to goe forth So all that were unable for the warre through old age sicknesse or other infirmities are not mustered here with Israel shall muster or shall number which in the Hebrew and Greeke hath the name of visiting This numbring of Israel signified Gods providence and care over them which extendeth not onely to their persons but to the very haires of their heads which are all numbred Luk. 12. 7. And in that they are numbred or mustred by their armies it shewed whereunto God had called them even to fight the good sight of faith 1 Tim. 6. 12. By the word of truth by the power of God by the armour of righteousnesse on the right hand and on the lest 2 Cor. 6. 7. Therefore they were to follow the Lord and his Tabernacle going before them to fight against the Canaanites as in our spirituall warfare we are to follow Christ Reu. 12. 7. 19. 11. 14. And onely males
the Amalekites 1 Sam. 15. 18. and the men of Sodem were evill and sinners Gen. 13. 13. And they sinned against their soules in causing their owne death and destruction for the soule is often used for the life as in Gen. 19. 17. and 37. 21. So he that provoketh a King to anger sinneth against his owne soule Prov. 20. 2. broad plates Hebr. out-spreadings of plates that is plates beaten out and spread broad to cover the brazen altar with them and they are hallowed or sanctified so as Sol. Iarchi explaineth it unlawfull for common use because they had made them for vessels of ministerie Or they were now sanctified of God before whom they sinfully offered them to bee an holy signe unto the people for a signe and a memortall to the sonnes of Israel vers 40. to make them remember the transgression of these sinners and to warne them that none hereafter doe the like So Aarons rod was kept for a signe Num. 17. 10. and God threatneth by destroying the wicked to make him a signe and aproverbe Ezek. 14. 8. Now all these things hapned unto them for ensamples and they are written for our admonition upon whom the ends of the world are come 1 Cor. 10. 11. Vers. 40. not any stranger or no man which is a stranger seed of Aaron that is sons or posteritie of Aaron so all Israelites or Levites save Aarons sonnes onely are counted strangers in this case of priesthood that he be not Heb. and he be not as Korah like him in rebellion and in punishment Therefore Moses afterward rehearseth this historie to keepe the people in obedience Deut. 11. 6 7 8. unto him or of him having reference to Moses speech in vers 29 30. that the truth of the judgement denounced might be manifest So the Apostle pronounceth woe unto such and saith they perish in the gaine saying of Kore Iude verse 11. Vers. 41. you have killed or as the Chaldee explaineth it you have caused the death Though they had prayed for the people v. 32. and the strangenesse of the punishments shewed unto all that they were of God and the judgements were still even before the eyes of the congregation yet doe they thus breake out into a new rebellion Vers. 42. the glorie of Iehovah it appeared to help his servants and to represse and punish the rebellious now as in former times Num. 12. 5. and 14. 10. and 16. 19. Vers. 45. Get you up that is Depart or Separate your selves as he said before in verse 21. as in a moment in Greeke at oâ—ce see the notes on verse 21. fell on their faces to pray as 〈◊〉 Ionathan addeth and as they did before in versâ— 22. So did David and the Elders of â—â—rael in 1 Chron. 21. 16. Verse 46. from off the Altar of this Chazkuni saith he warned him hereof that hee might 〈◊〉 erre through haste and effer strange fire a◠〈◊〉 and Abihu Levit. 10. and these other had â—â—re incense Incense that caused death when it was not in the hand of the Friest giveth liâ—e when it is in the Priests hand saith Chazkuni on this place Hereby the mediation of Christ for sinners was figured who is represented by the Aâ—gâ—ll standing at the Altar having a golden censâ—â— and much incense given unto him to offer it with the 〈◊〉 all Saints c. Rev. 8. 3. goe quâ—câ—ly or 〈◊〉 to goe with speed that is as the Chaldee and Greeke translateth carie quickly or in 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 in Chaldee death the Greeke translateth â—e 〈◊〉 begunne to breake that is destroy the pâ—â—ple Vers. 47. he put on incense to make atonement and to appease Gods wrath as it is said or the Priests They shall put it cense in thy 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 thine anger c. and favourably accept thâ—◠〈◊〉 Lord the worke of his hands Deut. 33. 10. 11. Herein he figured Christ our Mediarcur who maâ—â— intercession for the transgressors Esai 53. 12. 〈◊〉 23. 34. So the Hebrewes as R. Menachem on Num. 16. applie that prophesie of Es 〈…〉 ching Christ unto this worke of Aaron saying The meaning of this And he stood betweene the lâ—ving 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dead is like that in Esai 53. 12. â—e hath 〈◊〉 out his soule unto death c. Verse 48. betweene the dead and the living so interposing and as it were exposing himseâ—â—e to the wrath of God for the people that by the atonement which he now made the plague might be stayed from the living w ch yet remained 〈◊〉 him that is joyned to all the living there is hope c. but the dead know not any thing c. neither 〈◊〉 they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the Sunne c. There is no worke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vice nor knowledge nor wisdome in the grave wâ—â—ther thou goest Eccle. 9. 4. 5. 6. 10. The dead 〈◊〉 not the Lord neither any that goe downe into 〈◊〉 Psal. 115. 17. They that goe downe into the 〈…〉 not hope for the truth of God Esai 38. 18. for after death commeth the iudgement Heb. 9. 27. And so by the Hebrew Doctors it is said There is no atonement for the dead Maimony in Misn. â—om 3. in Pesulei hamukdashin chap. 15. sect 9. And the Chaldee paraphrast on Eccles. 1. 15. hath this saying A man whose wayes are rebellious in this 〈◊〉 and he dieth in them and turneth not by repe 〈…〉 he hath no power to reforme himselfe after his 〈◊〉 and a man that faileth of the Law and 〈◊〉 whiles he liveth he hath no meanes after his death 〈◊〉 be reckoned with the just men in the gar 〈…〉 〈◊〉 or Paradise of God And on Ecclis 6. 6. 〈◊〉 Chaldee paraphraseth thus yea though the 〈◊〉 of the life of a man be two thousand yeares if he have not exercised himselfe in the Law and hath not done judgement and justice by the oath of the Word of the LORD which shall be in the day of his death his soule goeth down to Gehenna or Hell torments unto one place whither all sinners doe goe So there was no estimation nor price of the dead for any vow in Israel as is noted on Levit. 27. 8. the plague was stayed This sheweth how greatly the praiers and actions of his servants doe prevaile with God when they are faithfull servent and according to his will I am 5. 16. 1 Ioh. 5. 14. and fore-shewed the power and efficacie of Christs mediation for God heareth him alwaies Ioh. 11. 42. and hee is the Atonement for our sinnes 1 Iohn 2. 2. and for his sake God before whom the pestilence goeth in wrath remembreth mercie Habak 3. 5. 2. And as the bloud of the Paschall lamb figuring the bloud of Christ 1 Cor. 5. 7. stayed the Angell which destroyed the Egyptians from touching the Israelites Exod. 12. 23. Heb. 11. 28. so the smoke of Aarons incense figuring the mediation of Christ Psal. 141. 2. Revel 8. 4. stayed the plague here
the land of Edom Iudg. 11. 18. For the Lord had charged them that they should not meddle with the sonnes of Esau or their possession Deut. 2. 4 5. So Targum Ionathan here paraphraseth they were commanded by the word of the God of heaven that they should not wage warre with them because the time was not yet come when hee would execute 〈◊〉 on Edom by their hands Thus Israel suffered patiently the unkindnesse of Edom and obeyed the Lord herein though the way which they after went thorow the wildernesse was very grievous unto them and their soules were much discouraged because of the same Numb 21. 4 5. Vers. 22. mount Hor a mount in the edge of the land of Eâ—ora and the next resting place which they came unto from Kadesh Num. 33. 37. The name it selfe signifieth a mount for Har in Hebrew is a mountaine and Sol. Iarchi here explaineth it a â—ountaine upon a mountaine 〈◊〉 argum Ionathan nameth it mount Omanos Vers. 24. gathered unto his people that is die and be buried and his soule be among the spirits of just men made perfect as Hebr. 12. 23. Gathering signifieth here taking away by death as in vers 26. and in Esai 57. 1. mercifull men are gathered that is taken away and that which is gathered is the spirit of man as in Psal. 104. 20. thou gatherest their spirit they give up the ghost and returne unto their dust The peoples meane the Fathers deceased as is spoken of David in Act. 13. 36. and in Judg. 2. 10. all that generation were gathered unto their fathers So his people 's here are Aarons godly forefathers as David desireth the contrary Gather not my soule with sinners Psal. 26. 9. See the Annotations on Gen. 25. 8. rebelled against my mouth that is against my word as the Chaldee expoundeth it the Greeke saith yee provoked me See before on vers 12. Vers. 26. strip Aaron or disaray Aaron of his garments meaning of his Priestly robes the garments of holinesse which Moses had made him for 〈◊〉 and for beautifull glory Exod. 28. 2. and which at his consecration to the Priesthood Moses had put upon him Levit. 8. 7 8 9. So Targum Io 〈…〉 expoundeth it strip Aaron of the honourable garments of the Priesthood The taking off of these garments and putting them upon Eleazar signified the taking away of his office and dignity and giving the same to another as by a like similitude God said unto Shebna the treasurer I will drive thee 〈◊〉 thy station and from thy state shall he pull thee downe And it shall be in that day that I will call my servant Eliakim the sonne of Hilkiaeh and I will cloath him with thy robe and strengthen him with thy girdle and I will commit thy gouernment â—â—to his hand and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of 〈◊〉 c. Esay 22. 15 19 20 21. As by Aarons offering for his owne sins first and then for the sinnes of the people Levit. 16. 6. 11. 15. the holy Ghost shewed the inability of the legall Priesthood in comparison with Christs to reconcile men unto God Hebr. 7. 26 27 28. so by this disaraying and death of Aaron hee signified the disanulling of that Priesthood for the weaknesse and unprofitablenesse thereof Hobr. 7. 11 18. When therefore the same hands of Moses which had put on the garments did pull them off now at this time for the sinne which the high Priest had committed vers 12. Deut. 32. 50 51. they and all the people were taught to expect a better Priesthood of the Sonne of God who is perfected for evermore Hebr. 7. 28. Eleazar his sonne This was a comfort to all especially to Aaron the father that the Priestly function ended not with the death of the Priest but was derived to his posterity and so continued thorow all ages till Christ came who is a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedek the true Eliazar that is the Helpe of God who is made not after the law of a carnall commandement but after the power of an endlesse life Heb. 7. 11. 16. Wherefore to signifie the continuance of his grace and love to the Church God promised that the Priests the Levites should not want a man before him to offer Burnt-offerings and to kindle Meat-offerings and to doe sacrifice continually Ier. 33. 18. So Aaron did behold in the cloathing of his sonne a type of his owne and of all Israels salvation that his death might not be bitter unto him but he might depart in peace because his eyes did see though as a farre off the salvation of God as Luke 2. 29 30. shall be gathered unto his peoples vers 24. and shall die Hee that before in the worke of his Priesthood made atonement for the people and stood betweene the dead and the living and the plague was stayed Numb 16. 47 48. now dieth himselfe for his own sin an evident demonstration of the insufficiencie of the Leviticall Priesthood Whereupon the Apostle teacheth that they were many Priests because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death But Christ because he continueth ever hath a priesthood which passeth not from one to another wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing hee ever liveth to make intercession for them Hebr. 7. 23 24 25. Vers. 28. Moses stripped Aaron The actions of Moses signified the effects of his ministery and Law 2 Cor. 3. 13. Whereas therefore he unvested Auron by reason of sinne and death which was to ensue it shewed that no Priest who was a sinner and under the power of death could satisfie the justice of the Law and avoid the wrath of God so the Legall Priesthood now might say He hath stript me of my glory and taken the crowne from my head Iob. 19. 9. Againe in putting the priestly garments upon Eleazar who was before this the Prince of the Princes of the Levites Numb 3. 32. he signified that the Law had a shadow of good things to come Heb. 10. 1 and therefore the blessings figured thereby should not be frustrate but continued under hope by succession till hee should come unto whom the right of the high Priesthood belonged even the Branch that should build the Temple of the Lord and should beare the glory and sit and rule upon his throne and should be a Priest upon his throne and the counsell of peace be betweene them both Zac. 6. 12 13. â—er 33. 18. Thus the Law was a Schoolemaster unto Christ Gal. 3. 24. It may also be observed how among the Gentiles their prophets and prophetesses who did weare some ornaments and ensignes of their dignity used solemnly to put them off before their death as resigning them up unto God and iudging it an unmeet thing to die in them as appeareth by the example of Cassandra in the Greeke Poet Aeschylus and of Amphi 〈…〉 s the Prophet in Statius
tribute to the Lord by this homage and tribute they were to acknowledge the victory to be of God and to shew their thankfulnesse for his salvation So David dedicated unto the Lord silver and gold of all nations which hee had subdued 2 Sam. 8. 11. 12. And Esaias prophesieth In that time shall a present be brought unto the LORD of hosts of a people scattered and peeled c. Esay 18. 7. one soule of 500 by soule is here meant person of mankinde and living body of beasts as after is explained And as the 12000 souldiers had much more of the spoile considering their small number than the other many thousands of the congregation so their tribute to the Lord was much lesse by proportion they giving but the five hundreth part when the congregation gave the fiftieth ver 30. God requireth lesse of them as their labour service and jeoparding of their lives had beene greater than their brethrens Vers. 29. unto Eleazar The Lord who was the inheritance of the Priests and Levites Dent. 18. 1 2. and had given them the ordinary heave-offerings which the Israelites offered unto him Num. 18. 19. giveth them also this extraordinary tribute which was levied for him So Abram gave to Melchisedek the Priest the tithe of the spoiles which he had gotten in warre Gen. 14. 20. And as the Levites had the tithes in Israel and the Priests had but a tenth of those tithes Num. 18. 21. 24. 26. 28. so is there here a like proportion allotted whiles the Levites had the fiftieth part vers 30. and the Priests but the five hundreth Vers. 30. one portion of fiftie or one taken or detained of fiftie so in vers 47. of the sheepe or of the flocke-beasts that is of sheepe and of goats for both these are implied under the name flocke as in Lev. 1. 10. of all beasts that is of all manner of beasts but this seemeth to be meant of the beasts fore-named onely and not of Camels or other uncleane beasts because in the particular summes after rehearsed vers 32. 39. there are no uncleane but Asses onely spoken of Chazkuni here saith If thou aske why God commanded not to take a tribute of the Camels seeing there were man camels there as it is written in the warre of Gideon against the Midianites Their Camels were without number Iudg. 6. 5. and 7. 12. the answer is The Scripture mentioneth those onely whereof they tooke the tribute and they tooke no tribute of uncleane beasts save of Asses because they are sanctified by the firstling of the Asse Exod. 13. 13. and 34. 19 20. which keepe the charge or observe the observation keepe watch and doe the service see the notes on Num. 18. 5. Vers. 32. the residue of the prey the cattell whose numbers follow are called the residue or remainder either because some had beene slaine for the souldiers to eat or in respect of the gold and silver and other such spoiles whereof there was no tribute levied Vers. 33. seventie and two thousand that is seventie thousand and two thousand as was explained in the former verse So after Vers. 35. soules of mankind Heb. soule of Adam meaning by soule the persons and by Adam or mankinde the women as after is explained For as at the first both man and woman were called Adam Gen. 5. 2. so the same name is often used for both sexes as here and in vers 40. 46 47. Vers. 40. two and thirtie So the whole number of beasts and girles which were the Lords tribute out of the Souldiers halfe was eight hundred and fortie which were given to Eleazar the Priest vers 41. Vers. 47. one portion of fiftie or one taken of fiftie as in vers 30. The particular summes as may be gathered by the former computation were six thousand seven hundred and fiftie sheep seven hundred and twentie oxen six hundred and ten Asses three hundred and twentie soules of young women the whole summe of them altogether was eight thousand and foure hundred which were taken out of the Congregations halfe and given to the Levites So the whole prize brought home from the Midianites and kept for the use of Israel was of beasts and women-kinde eight hundred thousand and fortie thousand out of which the Lord tooke for his Priests and Levites nine thousand two hundred and fortie Thus he enriched his people with the spoiles of their enemies and they in homage thankfulnesse to the Lord gave him one of five hundred out of the one halfe and one of fiftie out of the other halfe as Abram gave one of ten to Melchisedek the Priest of God of all the spoiles that he had taken from his enemies Gen. 14. 20. Vers. 48. the Officers or Bishops as in vers 14. Vers. 49. in our hand that is in our power under our leading and charge w ch the Greeke and Chaldee translate with us there lacketh not Heb. there is not numbred or mustered to wit as wanting or missing for in such musters the number is observed of those that are absent as of those presēt This was a rare and wonderfull mercie that twelve thousand men of Israel should vanquish so great a nation of Midian without losse of any mans life whereas commonly the sword devoureth one as well as another 2 Sam. 11. 25. But hereby appeareth that precious in the eyes of the LORD is the death of his Saints Psal. 116. 15. and a much like speech was uttered by our Saviour Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none Ioh. 18. 9. Moreover by this victory God encouraged his people to fight the residue of his battels against the Canaanites Vers. 50. an oblation for Iehovah or as the Chaldee explaineth it the oblation of the Lord in Greeke a gift to the Lord. This was a voluntary gift whereas the former levie was commanded v. 25 c. hath found that is hath gotten in this war jewels or instruments vessels atonement for our soules that is for our lives which God hath spared and that there be no plague amongst us as Exod. 30. 12. Herein also they might have respect unto their sinne in sparing the women alive for which Moses reproved them vers 14. 17. Thus though they found all alive yet were they not proud neither boasted of their valour but gave the glory unto God and in themselves they were humbled in conscience of their unworthinesse Vers. 51. every wrought jewell Hebr. jewell or instrument of worke that is cunningly wrought So as the matter was the best of gold the forme also was the best Chazkuni here saith The Scripture sheweth that they brought no broken instrument Vers. 52. shekels what the shekell waighed see on Gen. 20. 16. of the captaines or from the captaines that is Moses tooke the gold of them as in vers 51. and 54. Vers. 54. the Tent the Lords Tabernacle where it was a memoriall for them as the like is spoken of the halfe shekels w ch the Israelites gave when
Chaldee do interpret it the Burning a place so called because the people complaining there the fire of the Lord was kindled and consumed some of them See the historie in Num. 11. 1 2 3. Massah in English the tentation and so the Greek and Chaldee translate it A place at Rephidim in the wildernesse before they came to Horeb ten stations from Egypt in the first yeere of their travell where wanting water they tempted God saying Is the Lord amongst us or no and there he gave them water out of the Rocke Exod. 17. See the annotations there and Psal. 95. 8 9. Heb. 3. 8. c. Deut. 6. 16. Kibroth-hattaavah in English the Graves of lust so translated also by the Greeke Here a little from Taberah forementioned they loathed Manna and lusted for flesh God gave them Quailes but they died of a plague 〈◊〉 the flesh was yet betweene their teeth and 〈◊〉 buried there occasioned this name of the 〈◊〉 for a perpetuall memoriall See Num. 11. 4 34. and the annotations there Also Psal. 78. 〈◊〉 31. and 106. 14 15. Vers. 23. Kadesh-barnea where being come thorow the wildernesse of Pharan to the border of the land of Canaan they were commanded of God to goe take possession Then they sent spies who discouraged the people so through want of 〈◊〉 they durst not enter and were for it condem 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 40. yeeres wandring in the wildernesse and 〈◊〉 ended their dayes See Numb 13. and 14. 〈◊〉 against the mouth that is against the 〈◊〉 or commandement in Greeke yee disobeyed 〈◊〉 word Vers. 24. that I knew you the Greeke expounds 〈…〉 the day that he was knowne unto you So he 〈…〉 deth with a generall charge of rebellion upon them shewing hereby the impossibility of the law and ministery thereof to bring men unto God for it causeth sinne and wrath to abound as 〈◊〉 4. 15. and 8 3. Gal. 3. 19 22. For besides these 〈…〉 lars they sinned many other times in the 〈…〉 nesse as is noted on Num. 14. 22. and in Psa. 〈◊〉 and 106. Vers. 25. I fell downe in Greeke I prayed Hee 〈…〉 th to speake of their reconciliation to God which was by the prayer of Moses as a mediatour 〈◊〉 figure of Christ by whom and not by our own deserts we have entrance into the kingdome of God Gal. 3. 22. 24. Rom. 3. 20 22. and 5. 1 2 c. as I fell downe to wit at the first as v. 18. or which I fell downe that is which I said before that I fell downe But the Hebrew asher which is sometimes used for as as in Ier. 48. 8. said for to destroy that is said that he would destroy you See the like phrases so expounded in Esay 49. 6. with Acts 13. 47. 1 Chron. 17. 4. with 2 Sam. 7. 5. Matt. 20. 19. with Mark 10. 33 34. Vers. 26. Lord Iehovoh in Greeke Lord Lord in Chaldee Lord God See the annotations on Gen. 15. 2. thy people this respecteth their adoption in Christ and justification 1 Pet. 2. 9 10. inheritance this implyeth their sanctification unto the obedience and service of God by the Spirit See Exod. 34. 9. through thy greatnes in Greek through thy great strength as v. 29. it implyeth also his great goodnesse and therefore is often spoken of his gracious workes for his people 1 Chron. 17. 19. Luke 1 49. Vers. 27. thy servants Hee meaneth Gods oath unto them to multiply their seed and to give them the land for an eternall inheritance as is expressed in this prayer before Exod. 32. 13. So the Greeke addeth here unto whom thou swarest by thy selfe hardnesse the naturall corruption whereby the heart is hardned that it cannot repent and beleeve the word of God from which the two evils following doe flow Rom. 2. 5. Vers. 28. the land that is as the Greeke and Chaldee both explaine the inhabitants of the land This reason is also alleaged in Exod. 32. 12. and Numb 14. 16. CHAP. X. 1 A rehearsall of Gods mercies in renuing the two tables of the Covenant 6 in leading the people forward towards Canaan and continuing the priest-hood after Aarons death 8 in separating the tribe of Levi unto the ministerie 10 in hearkning unto Moses his suit for the people 12 An exhortation unto obedience 14 because of Gods glorie 15 love unto Israel 17 justice towards all 21 his fearefull workes 22 and multiplication of his people AT that time Iehovah said unto mee Hew thee two tables of stone like the first and come up unto me into the mount and thou shalt make thee an Arke of wood And I will write on the tables the words which were on the first tables which thou brakest and thou shalt put them in the Arke And I made an Arke of Shittim wood and hewed two tables of stone like the first went up into the mount and the two tables in my hand And he wrote on the tables according to the first writing the ten words which Iehovah had spoken unto you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly and Iehovah gave them unto me And I turned my self and came downe from the mount and I put the tables in the Arke which I had made and there they be as Iehovah commanded me And the sonnes of Israel journeyed from Beeroth of the sonnes of Iaakan from Moserah there Aaron dyed and was buried there and Eleazar his sonne administred the Priests office in his stead From thence they journeyed to Gudgodah and from Gudgodah to Iot-bath a land of rivers of waters At that time Iehovah separated the tribe of Levi to beare the Arke of the covenant of Iehovah to stand before Iehovah to minister unto him and to blesse in his name unto this day Therefore Levi hath no part or inheritance with his brethren Iehovah he is his inheritance as Iehovah thy God spake unto him And I stood in the mount according to the former dayes fortie dayes and fortie nights and Iehovah hearkened unto me at that time also Iehovah would not destroy thee And Iehovah said unto me Arise goe in journey before the people that they may goe in and possesse the land which I sware unto their fathers to give unto them And now Israel what doth Iehovah thy God aske of thee but to feare Iehovah thy God to walke in all his waies and to love him and to serve Iehovah thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soule To keepe the commandements of Iehovah and his statutes which I command thee this day for good unto thee Behold unto Iehovah thy God belong the heavens and the heavens of heavens the earth and all that therein is Onely in thy fathers Iehovah had a delight to love them and he chose their seed after them even you above all peoples as it is this day Circumcise therefore the super fluous foreskinne of your heart and make not your necke stiffe any more For Iehovah your God
just one and the wicked one and him that loveth violent wrong his soule doth hate He will raine upon the wicked snares fire and brimstone and wind of burning stormes shall bee the portion of their cup. For just Iehovah hee loveth justices his face will view the righteous Annotations A Psalme of David I this word Psalme wanting in the Hebrew is supplied in the Greeke So in Psal. 14. and 25. and 26. and 27. and many other See the note on Psal. 10. 10. flee or flit In the Hebrew there is a double reading flee thou and flee yee meaning David in speciall and his retinew with him to your mount or from your mount but the Greeke and Chaldee supplieth the word to In mounts rockes and caves David hid himselfe from Sauls persecution 1 Sam. 23. 14. and 24. 3 4. as a bird This noteth his danger who was hunted as a partrich on the mountaines 1 Sam. 26. 20. and his feare as in Isa. 16. 2. Hereupon is that proverb As a bird fleeing from her nest so is a man fleeing from his place Prov. 27. 8. Vers. 3. For the foundations or the things set up The originall word Shathoth signifieth things orderly set and disposed and may be applied to many things as in buildings to the foundation in hunting unto nets or snares in the common-wealth unto constitutions or positive lawes in warres unto engins or leagers as Psal. 3. 7. in the minde of man unto purposes plots deliberations in religion unto faith which is the foundation and beginning of the hypostasis or the hypostasis that is the subsistence and expectation of things hoped for Hebr. 3. 14. and 11. 1. According to all or most of these may this sentence be applied either to the plots purposes snares set for Davids ruine but pulled downe by the Lord or to Sauls estate and kingdome which seemed setled but by the Lord was overthrowne or to Davids estate and faith which the enemies boasted to be come to nought The Greeke version of the Lxx. translateth thus for the things that thou hast perfected they have destroyed are cast downe or shall be broken downe destroyed The Chaldee giveth this interpretation For if the foundations be destroyed why doth the just doe innocency Vers. 4. Palace of his holinesse or his holy palace or Temple which here may be taken for very heaven as also in Hab. 2. 20. for the holy places made with hands were antitypes or answerable similitudes of the true Sanctuary Hebr. 9. 24. Vers. 5. prove the just or trie them by the persecution of the wicked as well as by other afflictions Psal. 66. 10 11 12. his soule that is Gods soule doth hate This is attributed to God after the manner of men as he is also said to have eies hands eares c. So Levit. 26. 11. my soule shall not loath you Vers. 6. snares hereby is often meant in Scripture strange sudden and inevitable judgements Iob 22. 10. and 18 9 10. Isa. 8. 14. and 24. 17 18. The Chaldee expounds it He will send downe the raine of vengeance on the wicked that breathe fire c. fire and brimstone such was the wrath that fell on Sodome and the cities by it Gen. 19. 24. and was threatned unto Gog Ezek. 38. 22. and figureth the vengeance of eternall fire Iude 7. Rev. 20. 10. wind of burning stormes or of blasting tempests that is a horrible blasting whirlewind David felt such from his persecutors Psalm 119. 53. and here they feele such from God for persecuting him Ieremie applieth this word to the burning storme of hunger Lam. 5. 10. but it is properly a hideous burning tempest rushing out of the darksome cloud such as the Evangelist calleth â—â—emos tuphonicos a smouldry burning wind named in Greeke Euroclydon Act. 27. 14. the portion of their cup that is the due measure of their punishment See Psal. 75. 9 and 16. 5. Vers. 7. loveth justices that is all manner justice both to punish the evill and preserve the good both just causes and persons his face or their faces in mystery of the holy Trinity as often in the Scripture See Psal. 149. 2. The Hebrew here may be Englished the face the aspects of them or of him See the note on Psal. 2. 3. will view the righteous usually vieweth the right And this noteth the manifesting of Gods care and fauour towards the righteous both cause and person The Greeke translateth His face seeth righteousnesses the Chaldee thus The just shall see the sight of his face PSAL. XII David destitute of humane comfort craveth helpe of God 4 He comforteth himselfe with Gods judgements on the wicked and confidence in Gods tried promises To the Master of the Musicke upon the eight a Psalme of David SAve O Iehovah for the gracious Saint is ended for the faithful are diminished from the sons of Adam They speake false vanitie each man with his next friend with lip of flatteries with a heart and a heart they speake Iehovah cut off all lips of flatteries the tongue that speaketh great things Which have said with our tongue we will prevaile our lips are with us who is Lord over us For the wasteful spoile of the poore afflicted for the groning of the needie ones now will I rise up saith Iehovah I will set in salvation he shall have breathing The sayings of Iehovah are pure sayings as silver tried in a subliming furnace of earth fined seven times Thou Iehovah wilt keepe them wilt preserve him from this generation for ever The wicked walke on every side when vilenesse is exalted of the sonnes of Adam Annotations Vers. 1. upon the eight which the Chaldee expoundeth upon the eight stringed harpe See Psal. 6. 1. SAve or helpe This word is largely used for all manner saving helping delivering preserving c. as to helpe or defend from injurie Exod. 2. 17. 2 King 6. 26 27. to deliver from all adversities Psal. 34. 7. as from sicknesse Mat. 9. 21. Mark 6. 56. from drowning Mat. 8. 25. from shipwracke Act. 27. 31. from hands of enemies Psal. 18. 4. Iude 5. from sinne Mat. 1. 21. from death Mat. 27. 40. from wrath Rom. 5. 9. and infinite the like And is not onely a helping in trouble but a riddance out of it as one Evangelist saith Let us see if Elias will come and save him Mat. 27. 49. another saith if Elias will come and take him downe Mark 15. 36. the faithfull are diminished or faiths fidelities are ceased The originall word is used both for true and faithfull persons 2 Sam. 20. 19. and for truths or fidelities Esay 26. 2. The Greeke translateth the truths Vers. 3. false vanity or vaine falshood in Greeke vaine things This word shav noteth vanity both of words and deeds Exod. 20. 7. Ier. 2. 30. and often that which is also false Exo. 23. 1. as that which Moses in Exod. 20. 16. calleth witnesse of falshood Sheker relating it he calleth false vanity Shav Deut. 5.