Moses reared up the tabernacle and fastened his sockets and set up the boards thereof and put in the bars thereof and reared up his pillars 19. And he spread abroad the tent over the tabernacle and put the covering of the tent above upon it as the LORD commanded Moses 20 And he took and put the testimony into the ark and set the staves on the ark and put the mercy-seat above upon the ark 21. And he brought the ark into the tabernacle and set up the veil of the covering and covered the ark of the testimony as the LORD commanded Moses 22. And he put the table in the tent of the congregation upon the side of the tabernacle north-ward without the veil 23. And he set the bread in order upon it before the LORD as the LORD had commanded Moses 24. And he put the candlestick in the tent of the congregation over against the table on the side of the tabernacle south-ward 25. And he lighted the lamps before the LORD as the LORD commanded Moses 26. And he put the golden altar in the tent of the congregation before the veil 27. And he burnt sweet incense thereon as the LORD commanded Moses 28. And he set up the hanging at the door of the tabernacle 29. And he put the altar of burnt-offering by the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation and offered upon it the burnt-offering and the meat-offering as the LORD commanded Moses 30. And he set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar and put water there to wash withall 31. And Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet thereat 32. When they went into the tent of the congregation and when they came near unto the altar they washed as the LORD commanded Moses 33. And he reared up the court-round about the tabernacle and the altar and set up the hanging of the court-gate so Moses finished the work 34. Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle 35. And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation because the cloud abode thereon and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle 36. And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys 37. But if the cloud were not taken up then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up 38. For the cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day and fire was on it by night in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys 3. 2514. 1490. The ark of the testimony So called because the Tables of the Law which is sometime called the Testimony v. 20. were put into it ch 25.16 4. Thou shalt bring in c. Ch. 26.35 The things that are to be set in order upon it Heb. The order thereof 10. Most holy Heb. Holiness of holinesses in that it hallowed the Sacrifice Exod. 29.37 11. Sanctifie it i. e. Separate it to a peculiar and holy use 15. An everlasting priesthood i. e. The Successors of the ordinary Priests shall not need to be anointed for the future as the High Priests were The High Priests were elected and therefore it was fit they should be anointed But the Priesthood belonged to the other Priests as their Birth-right 17. Tabernacle Num. 7.1 21. Set Ch. 35.12 29. LORD Ch. 30.9 34. Then a cloud Num. 9.15 1 King 8.10 36. Went onward Heb. Journeyed FINIS Imprimatur Octob. 24. 1693. Jo. Cant. A COMMENTARY ON THE Five Books of MOSES WITH A DISSERTATION Concerning the Author or Writer of the said Books AND A General Argument to each of them BY RICHARD Lord Bishop of Bath and Wells Vol. II. LONDON Printed by J. Heptinstall for William Rogers at the Sun against St. Dunstan's Church in Fleetstreet MDCXCIV THE Third Book of Moses CALLED LEVITICUS THE General Argument OF THE Third Book of MOSES CALLED LEVITICUS LEVI was the third Son of Jacob From him his Posterity had the name of Levites Aaron who with his Sons was called to the Priesthood was from him called a Levite Exod. 4.14 And that Priesthood that was setled in that Family is called Levitical Heb. 7.11 The Law relating to the discharge of the Priest's Office is properly called the Levitical Law and upon that account that Book of Moses which more especially treats of the Holy Rites and Services in which these Priests were by their Office imployed is very fitly from the Subject-matter of it called Leviticus And this is the main Subject of this very excellent Book as will more clearly appear afterwards And because a great part of the Priest's Office was taken up in attendance upon the Altar and he was nearly concerned in the Sacrifices and holy Oblations which were presented by the People and because this Book treats largely of those Sacrifices and the Rites thereunto belonging and that in the very beginning of it I know not how to let the Reader into the Book it self any better way than by premising something concerning the Sacrifices themselves which are here treated of And to that purpose I shall First Consider the matter of these Sacrifices or what things they were which were required or allowed to be offered at the Altar Secondly I shall consider the several sorts or kinds of these Sacrifices with the particular Laws annexed unto them and shall in this matter offer nothing but what the Text of the Law gives me ground for Thirdly I shall in very few words shew how very usefull it is to understand this matter I. I shall consider the matter of these Sacrifices or what things they were which were required or allowed to be offered at the Altar And these Oblations being either of living creatures or of things that were inanimate I shall First Consider what living Creatures were admitted for Sacrifices where these Sacrifices were bloudy And they were Five onely viz. Out of the Herd the Bullock onely Out of the Flock the Sheep and the Goat From among the Fowls the Turtle-Dove and the less or younger Pigeon More than these were not allowed by the Law For the Birds rendred Sparrows in the Marginal reaching Levit. 14. they belong not at all to this matter For I am speaking here of bloudy Sacrifices For those Birds one of them was not killed and neither of them had any relation to God's Altar These living Creatures admitted for Sacrifices were such as were common and easy to be procured Besides they were tame and gentle very innocent and usefull and harmless No ravenous Beasts are admitted no Birds of prey What more usefull than a Bullock more profitable than a Sheep and Goat more simple and harmless than a Dove or Pigeon And if the Observation of Philo be true That the Offerer was to be like his Oblation then are innocence and industry usefulness and simplicity recommended here to the Worshipper
fat and Moses burned it upon the altar 17. But the bullock and his hide his flesh and his dung he burnt with fire without the camp as the LORD commanded Moses 18. And he brought the ram for the burnt-offering and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the ram 19. And he killed it and Moses sprinkled the blood upon the altar round about 20. And he cut the ram into pieces and Moses burnt the head and the pieces and the fat 21. And he washed the inwards and the legs in water and Moses burnt the whole ram upon the altar it was a burnt-sacrifice for a sweet savour and an offering made by fire unto the LORD as the LORD commanded Moses 22. And he brought the other ram the ram of consecration and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the ram 23. And he slew it and Moses took of the blood of it and put it upon the tip of Aaron's right ear and upon the thumb of his right hand and upon the great toe of his right foot 24. And he brought Aaron's sons and Moses put of the blood upon the tip of their right ear and upon the thumbs of their right hands and upon the great toes of their right feet and Moses sprinkled the blood upon the altar round about 25. And he took the fat and the rump and all the fat that was upon the inwards and the caul above the liver and the two kidneys and their fat and the right shoulder 26. And out of the basket of unleavened bread that was before the LORD he took one unleavened cake and a cake of oyled bread and one wafer and put them on the fat and upon the right shoulder 27. And he put all upon Aaron's hands and upon his sons hands and waved them for a wave-offering before the LORD 28. And Moses took them from off their hands and burnt them on the altar upon the burnt-offering they were consecrations for a sweet savour it is an offering made by fire unto the LORD 29. And Moses took the breast and waved it for a wave-offering before the LORD for of the ram of consecration it was Moses's part as the LORD commanded Moses 30. And Moses took of the anointing oyl and of the blood which was upon the altar and sprinkled it upon Aaron and upon his garments and upon his sons and upon his sons garments with him and sanctified Aaron and his garments and his sons and his sons garments with him 31. And Moses said unto Aaron and to his sons Boyl the flesh at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation and there eat it with the bread that is in the basket of consecrations as I commanded saying Aaron and his sons shall eat it 32. And that which remaineth of the flesh and of the bread shall ye burn with fire 33. And ye shall not go out of the door of the tabernacle of the congregation in seven days until the days of your consecration be at an end for seven days shall he consecrate you 34. As he hath done this day so the LORD hath commanded to do to make an atonement for you 35. Therefore shall ye abide at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation day and night seven days and keep the charge of the LORD that ye die not for so I am commanded 36. So Aaron and his sons did all things which the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses 2. The garments Exod. 28.2 4. The anointing oyl Exod. 30.24 3. All the congregation At least the Heads of the People the Elders of Israel ch 9.1 who were Witnesses that Aaron and his Sons did not take upon themselves the honour of Priesthood but were set apart by God's appointment 5. This is the thing Exod. 29.4 What was commanded Exod. 29. is here put in execution 6. Brought viz. Unto the door of the Tabernacle of the Congregation Exod. 29.4 Washed them with water In order to the setting them apart for their Holy Office The Jews in after-times received Proselytes by Baptism into their Church 7. And he put upon him the coat This was also in order to set him apart for his Holy Function And in the latter times of the Jewish State when they had not the Holy Oyl this Cloathing was used in lieu of it 8. Put in Exod. 28.30 9. Commanded Exod. 28.29 c. 10. Anointed the tabernacle By this Rite was the Tabernacle set apart for the service of God which is afterward expressed by Sanctifying 12. Poured c. Ps 133.2 Ecclus 45.15 Vpon Aaron's head And thus was he set apart to his Holy Office It is said it was to sanctifie him The High-Priests that succeeded were anointed also though the ordinary Priests were not This Holy Ointment with which Aaron was anointed was a Symbol of the great Sanctity required in him 13. Put Heb. Bound 14. And he brought c. Exod. 29.1 The bullock for the sin-offering It is worth the considering in what order the Sacrifices are offered up viz. First A Sin-offering to reconcile and make atonement without which they could not be fit to draw nigh to God and minister to him in Holy Things nor to present any Offering to him Then a Burnt-offering as a Gift that God would accept when they had first made atonement for their Sins And lastly The Ram of Consecration which was a Peace-offering and a sign of being admitted into God's Favour See the General Argument before this Book 17. Commanded Exod. 29.14 18. Burnt-offering Exod. 29.18 22. He brought Exod. 29.31 24. Tip of the right ear c. The puting the Blood on their Ears Hands and Feet put them in mind how ready they ought to be to learn and practise their Duty and to steer their Course a-right 27. Vpon Aaron's hands Exod. 29.24 c. 29. Part Exod. 29.26 31. Eat it with the bread Exod. 29.31 33. Seven days Exod. 29.35 34. As he hath done this day c. Or Is done Thou shalt offer every day a bullock c. Exod. 29.36 35. The charge of the LORD That charge which the Lord hath laid upon you CHAP. IX The ARGUMENT Aaron being consecrated enters upon the Exercise of his Office The Sin-offering for himself His Burnt-offering The Sin-offering for the People their Burnt-offering and Peace-offering Moses and Aaron bless the People A Fire from the Lord upon the Altar 1. AND it came to pass on the eighth day that Moses called Aaron and his sons and the elders of Israel 2. And he said unto Aaron Take thee a young calf for a sin-offering and a ram for a burnt-offering without blemish and offer them before the LORD 3. And unto the children of Israel thou shalt speak saying Take ye a kid of the goats for a sin-offering and a calf and a lamb both of the first year without blemish for a burnt-offering 4. Also a bullock and a ram for peace-offerings to sacrifice before the LORD and a
by establishing his Covenant v. 4. and declares that he remembers his Covenant v. 5. And then follow these words Wherefore say unto the children of Israel I am JEHOVAH and I will bring you out c. V. 6. with v. 7 8. For the farther clearing of this matter it is to be remembred That God is said to make himself known to those whom he takes into Covenant Thus in Judah is God known Psal 76.1 Again In the day when I chose Israel and lifted up mine hand unto the seed of the house of Jacob and made my self known unto them in the land of Egypt when I lifted up my hand unto them saying I am the Lord your God In the day that I lifted up my hand unto them to bring them forth of the land of Egypt into a land that I had espied for them c. Ezek. 20.5 6. When God entred into Covenant with Abraham it was by the name of God Almighty Gen. 17.1 upon which he promiseth to his Seed the Land of Canaan v. 8. By this name Isaac blesseth Jacob and bestows on him the Blessing of Abraham ch 28.3 4. By this name Jacob blesseth Joseph ch 48.3.49.25 God lets them here know that he who had made a Promise to their Fathers by the name of God Almighty would now confirm His Covenant to them and make his Promise good by the name of JEHOVAH Say unto the children of Israel I am JEHOVAH i. e. I will make good to you what I promised by the name of God Almighty And ye shall know that I am JEHOVAH your God And I will bring you into the land concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham to Isaac and to Jacob and I will give it you for an heritage I am JEHOVAH Exod. 6.6 7 8. 4. My covenant with them God promised Abraham the Land of Canaan Gen. 15. and renewed this promise afterward 6. Wherefore say c. i. e. Assure them I will make good my promise See v. 7 8. 8. I did swear H. Lift up my hand See Gen. 14.22 9. For anguish of spirit Heb. Shortness or Straitness They were dejected in their Spirits through their bondage and not prone to believe the tidings of their Deliverance See the LXXII 12. Vncircumcised lips That is not eloquent He complained before of an impediment which not being taken away he calls his Lips Uncircumcised 14. The sons of Reuben V. Gen. 46.9 1 Chron. 5.3 This following account is to make way to the stock of Moses and Aaron who descended from Levi the third Son of Jacob and hence it is that the following account of Reuben and Simeon is premised lest they should be thought to be contemned 15. And the sons 1 Chron. 4.24 16. Of the sons of Levi Num. 3.17 1 Chron. 6.1 18. Sons of Kohath Numb 26.57 1 Chron. 6.2 20. Amram V. ch 2.2 Numb 26.59 His father's sister See the Notes on ch 2.1 25. She bare him V. Numb 25.11 27. These are that Moses and Aaron See the Notes on v. 14. 29. I am the LORD The JEHOVAH v. 3. who am ready to accomplish what I have formerly promised 30. Vncircumcised See v. 12. CHAP. VII The ARGUMENT Moses is farther directed and encouraged in his Message to Pharaoh His Rod is turned into a Serpent The Magicians of Egypt do the like Pharaoh's Heart is hardened The Waters are turned into Blood The Magicians do so Pharaoh's Heart is hardened 1. AND the LORD said unto Moses See I have made thee a god to Pharaoh and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet 2. Thou shalt speak all that I command thee and Aaron thy brother shall speak unto Pharaoh that he send the children of Israel out of his land 3. And I will harden Pharaoh's heart and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt 4. But Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you that I may lay my hand upon Egypt and bring forth mine armies and my people the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by great judgments 5. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD when I stretch forth mine hand upon Egypt and bring out the children of Israel from among them 6. And Moses and Aaron did as the LORD commanded them so did they 7. And Moses was fourscore years old and Aaron fourscore and three years old when they spake unto Pharaoh 8. And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron saying 9. When Pharaoh shall speak unto you saying Shew a miracle for you then thou shalt say unto Aaron Take thy rod and cast it before Pharaoh and it shall become a serpent 10. And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh and they did so as the LORD had commanded and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh and before his servants and it became a serpent 11. Then Pharaoh also called the wisemen and the sorcerers now the magicians of Egypt they also did in like manner with their inchantments 12. For they cast down every man his rod and they became serpents but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods 13. And he hardened Pharaoh's heart that he hearkened not unto them as the LORD had said 14. And the LORD said unto Moses Pharaoh's heart is hardened he refuseth to let the people go 15. Get thee unto Pharaoh in the morning lo he goeth out unto the water and thou shalt stand by the river's brink against he come and the rod which was turned to a serpent shalt thou take in thine hand 16. And thou shalt say unto him The LORD God of the Hebrews hath sent me unto thee saying Let my people go that they may serve me in the wilderness and behold hitherto thou wouldest not hear 17. Thus saith the LORD In this thou shalt know that I am the LORD behold I will smite with the rod that is in mine hand upon the waters which are in the river and they shall be turned to blood 18. And the fish that is in the river shall die and the river shall stink and the Egyptians shall lothe to drink of the water of the river 19. And the LORD spake unto Moses Say unto Aaron Take thy rod and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt upon their streams upon their rivers and upon their ponds and upon all their pools of water that they may become blood and that there may be blood throughout all the land of Egypt both in vessels of wood and in vessels of stone 20. And Moses and Aaron did so as the LORD commanded and he lift up the rod and smote the waters that were in the river in the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood 21. And the fish that was in the river died and the river stunk and the Egyptians could not drink of the water of the river and there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt 22. And the magicians of Egypt did so
with their inchantments and Pharaoh's heart was hardened neither did he hearken unto them as the LORD had said 23. And Pharaoh turned and went into his house neither did he set his heart to this also 24. And all the Egyptians digged round about the river for water to drink for they could not drink of the water of the river 25. And seven days were fulfilled after that the LORD had smitten the river 1. A God i. e. A Prince or Master See the Chaldee and the Notes on ch 4.16 Thy Prophet Thy Interpreter says the Chaldee Thy Mouth to speak for thee See ch 4.16 that being one great Office of a Prophet Deut. 18.18 See ch 6.30 4. My hand My powerfull Plague or Stroke as the Chaldee hath it The Hand being the Instrument whereby we effect what we desire does fitly express the Power of him that doth effect Mine armies V. ch 6.26 and ch 12.41 5. Shall know that I am the LORD See ch 6.7 and the Note on ch 6.3 7. Fourscore years old This agrees well with Act. 7.30 and speaks God's Power and Providence V. Deut. 34.7 2 Cor. 12.9 9. A serpent V. ch 4.3 The Greek render it a Dragon 11. The magicians Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses says the Apostle 2 Tim. 3.8 and the Chaldee Paraphrase called Jonathan's calls them Janis and Jambres These Magicians are mentioned not onely among the Jewish Writers but among the Heathen also particularly by Apuleius With their inchantments i. e. With their secret sleights or jugglings The Hebrew word is thought to import an hidden and secret and therefore a commonly unaccountable Art 12. They became serpents Not without the Divine Permission But then their Rods which became Serpents were swallowed up by the Rod of Aaron And though the Magicians turned Water into Blood and brought Frogs upon Egypt we do not find that they were able to turn that Blood into Water and send away the Frogs which they had brought upon the Land as Moses did ch 8.13 They were permitted to punish but had not power to relieve the Egyptians 13. And he hardened Pharaoh's heart Or And Pharaoh's heart waxed strong or hard i. e. Pharaoh's Heart was hardened as the Vulgar and Chaldee render it And we find the same words in the Hebr. so rendered v. 22. not onely by the Greek and Latin but by the English Version also Nor is there any person mentioned either in the one place or in the other See ch 8.32 and the Note upon it That he hearkened not Or And he hearkened not Hebr. 14. Is hardened Or is heavy and dull and not easily moved 15. Goeth out Moses is directed to take this opportunity of meeting with Pharaoh it not being perhaps easie for him to have access to his Court. 16. In the wilderness See the Note on ch 5.1 17. I will smite with the rod that is in mine hand God commands Moses directs and Aaron smites v. 19 20. And God may be therefore said to do that which by his Command was done and by his Power To blood This was a great plague to the Egyptians who wanted Rain Deut. 11.10 11. and were by this means deprived of their Food from the Fish v. 18. and Numb 11.5 and of their Drink also v. 18. 20. Turned to blood And that so it was appears from what follows v. 21. that the Fish died and the River did stink so that the Egyptians could not drink as formerly 22. And the Magicians of Egypt did so And that they might do the Waters being changed successively and not all at once besides that they digged for Waters as appears from vers 24. Vid. Wisd 17.7 23. Neither did he set his heart i. e. He regarded not This speaks his wilfull neglect See v. 16. CHAP. VIII The ARGUMENT The Plague of Frogs The Magicians do also the like Pharaoh sues to Moses and Aaron for the removal of the Frogs and promiseth thereupon to dismiss the Israelites The Frogs are removed Pharaoh hardens his Heart The Plague of Lice The Magicians not able to do the like The Plague of Flies Pharaoh inclines to let the Israelites go but upon the removal of them hardens his Heart 1. AND the LORD spake unto Moses Go unto Pharaoh and say unto him Thus saith the LORD Let my people go that they may serve me 2. And if thou refuse to let them go behold I will smite all thy borders with frogs 3. And the river shall bring forth frogs abundantly which shall go up and come into thine house and into thy bed-chamber and upon thy bed and into the house of thy servants and upon thy people and into thine evens and into thy kneading-troughs 4. And the frogs shall come up both on thee and upon thy people and upon all thy servants 5. And the LORD spake unto Moses Say unto Aaron Stretch forth thine hand with thy rod over the streams over the rivers and over the ponds and cause frogs to come up upon the land of Egypt 6. And Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt and the frogs came up and covered the land of Egypt 7. And the magicians did so with their inchantments and brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt 8. Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron and said Intreat the LORD that he may take away the frogs from me and from my people and I will let the people go that they may do sacrifice unto the LORD 9. And Moses said unto Pharaoh Glory over me when shall I intreat for thee and for thy servants and for thy people to destroy the frogs from thee and thy houses that they may remain in the river onely 10. And he said To morrow And he said Be it according to thy word that thou mayest know that there is none like unto the LORD our God 11. And the frogs shall depart from thee and from thy houses and from thy servants and from thy people they shall remain in the river onely 12. And Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh and Moses cried unto the LORD because of the frogs which he had brought against Pharaoh 13. And the LORD did according to the word of Moses and the frogs died out of the houses out of the villages and out of the fields 14. And they gathered them together upon heaps and the land stank 15. But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite he hardened his heart and hearkened not unto them as the LORD had said 16. And the LORD said unto Moses Say unto Aaron stretch out thy rod and smite the dust of the land that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt 17. And they did so for Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod and smote the dust of the earth and it became lice in man and in beast all the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt 18. And the magicians did so with their inchantments to bring forth lice but they could not so
Aaron took a timbrel in her hand and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances 21. And Miriam answered them Sing ye to the LORD for he hath triumphed gloriously the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea 22. So Moses brought Israel from the Red-sea and they went out into the wilderness of Shur and they went three days in the wilderness and found no water 23. And when they came to Marah they could not drink of the waters of Marah for they were bitter therefore the name of it was called Marah 24. And the people murmured against Moses saying What shall we drink 25. And he cried unto the LORD and the LORD shewed him a tree which when he had cast into the waters the waters were made sweet there he made for them a statute and an ordinance and there he proved them 26. And said If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God and wilt do that which is right in his sight and wilt give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes I will put none of these diseases upon thee which I have brought upon the Egyptians for I am the LORD that healeth thee 27. And they came to Elim where were twelve wells of water and threescore and ten palm-trees and they encamped there by the waters 1. MOses Wisd 10.20 Vnto the LORD i. e. To his praise Vid. Psal 106.12 Rev. 15.2 3. 2. My strength To whose assistance this deliverance is to be ascribed Song i. e. The argument of my Praise and Thanksgiving Vid. Isa 12.2 And I will prepare him aâ— habitation Or I will glorifie him as the Greek and Vulgar render it 3. A man of War i. e. A great Warriour It is an Hebraism The Hebrew word which we translate Man is observed in Conjunction with another word to signifie some Excellency or Perfection Thus a man of Words signifies an eloquent Man Exod. 4.10 6. Thy right hand The Scripture speaks say the Jews in the language of the Children of Men. The right hand of a Man is the instrument by which he effects what he finds in his power Hence it is attributed to God when his Power is celebrated 8. With the blast of thy nostrils Or Wind of thine anger This may referr to that Wind ch 14.21 which made way for the destruction of the Egyptians Congealed i. e. Hardened as congealed Matter is so that the Hebrews went on dry-land 9. Destroy Or repossess 10. Blow with thy Wind See v. 8. and ch 14.21 27. 11. Gods Or mighty ones Fearfull in praises To be feared and reverenced when thy Name is celebrated or praised 12. The Earth swallowed them As they sunk into the Deep See Jon. 2.6 And possibly some of them were buried in the Sands brought on them by the violence of the returning Waters 13. Vnto thy holy habitation i. e. To the Land of Canaan the place of the Hebrews rest and the place in which God would reveal himself to them and where he would dwell with them Jer. 50.19 Psal 78.54 55. 14. The People Deut. 2.25 Josh 2.9 16. Fear Deut. 2.25 Josh 2.9 Still i. e. Stupified and so far over-powered with their fears that they shall not be able to defend themselves Pass over Viz. Into the promised Land Purchased Or Possessest 17. Which thou hast made for thee to dwell in This verse contains a description of Canaan as it was the place where God would dwell and that in a Sanctuary which being certainly to be built when God should command is spoken of as already done 20. The prophetess One to whom God revealed himself Vid. Num. 12.2 Gen. 20.7 and Mic. 6.4 21. Answered them i. e. She answered the Men who probably did sing the Song first And when they had sung then Miriam did repeat it 23. To Marah So called by anticipation as appears from the following words Marah That is Bitterness 25. A tree Ecclus 38.5 There he made for them a Statute c. The Jews commonly understand these words with reference to some particular Laws given in this place viz. Concerning the Sabbath honouring of Parents c. But we have no sufficient reason to credit this When 't is said He appointed them as the Hebrew word imports a Statute c. those words seem to refer to that monition which follows v. 26. which is so comprehensive as if obeyed would dispose them to obey all God's Laws 26. Healeth Ps 103.3 27. Elius Num. 33.9 CHAP. XVI The ARGUMENT The Israelites come to Sin They murmur for want of Bread They are promised Bread from Heaven Quails are sent and Manna Rules to be observed concerning the Manna It was not to be found on the Sabbath day A Pot of Manna is reserved as a Memorial The Israelites are to eat of this Bread forty Years 1. AND they took their journey from Elim and all the congregation of the children of Israel came unto the wilderness of Sin which is between Elim and Sinai on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing out of the land of Egypt 2. And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness 3. And the children of Israel said unto them Would to God we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt when we sat by the flesh-pots and when we did eat bread to the full for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger 4. Then said the LORD unto Moses Behold I will rain bread from heaven for you and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day that I may prove them whether they will walk in my law or no. 5. And it shall come to pass that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which they bring in and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily 6. And Moses and Aaron said unto all the children of Israel At even then ye shall know that the LORD hath brought you out from the land of Egypt 7. And in the morning then ye shall see the glory of the LORD for that he heareth your murmurings against the LORD And what are we that ye murmur against us 8. And Moses said This shall be when the LORD shall give you in the evening flesh to eat and in the morning bread to the full for that the LORD heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him And what are we your murmurings are not against us but against the LORD 9. And Moses spake unto Aaron Say unto all the congregation of the children of Israel Come near before the LORD for he hath heard your murmurings 10. And it came to pass as Aaron spake unto the whole congregation of the children of Israel that they looked toward the wilderness and behold the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud 11. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 12. I have heard the murmurings
the Sabbath day which they confine to two thousand Cubits Numb 35.5 This space is a Sabbath days Journey Act. 1.12 31. Taste of it c. This was the taste of it unprepared when it was prepared it had another taste viz. the taste of fresh Oyl Num. 11.8 34. Laid it up When the Tabernacle was after this built 35. Forty yâ—â—s c. Josh 5.12 Neh. 9.15 36. An omer is the tenth part of an ephah The Ephah contained of our Measure very near a Bushel three Seaâ—s Vid. LXXII and Onkel and the Omer here is the tenth part The Homer which is mentioned Ezek. 45.11 is not the same measure with the Omer here and is otherwise written in the Hebrew CHAP. XVII The ARGUMENT The Israelites come to Rephidim They murmur for want of Water God sends them Water out of a Rock Amalek fights against the Israelites Joshua encounters them Moses goes up to the top of an Hill and holds up his Hands Whiles â—e did so the Israelites prevail against Amalek God threatens Amalek An Altar built JEHOVAH-nissi 1. AND all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin after their journeys according to the commandment of the LORD and pitched in Rephidim and there was no water for the people to drink 2. Wherefore the people did chide with Moses and said Give us water that we may drink And Moses said unto them Why chide you with me wherefore do ye tempt the LORD 3. And the people thirsted there for water and the people murmured against Moses and said Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt to kill us and our children and our cattel with thirst 4. And Moses cried unto the LORD saying What shall I do unto this people they be almost ready to stone me 5. And the LORD said unto Moses Go on before the people and take with thee of the elders of Israel and thy rod wherewith thou smotest the river take in thine hand and go 6. Behold I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Hâ—reb and thou shalt fruite the rochâ—â—â—ed there shall come water out of it that the people may drink And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel 7. And he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah because of the chiding of the children of Israel and because they tempted the LORD saying Is the LORD among us or not 8. Then came Amalek and fought with Israel in Rephidim 9. And Moses said unto Joshua Choose us out men and go out fight with Amalek to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand 10. So Joshua did as Moses had said to him and fought with Amalek and Moses Aaron and Hur went up to the top of the hill 11. And it came to pass when Moses held up his hand that Israel prevailed and when he let down his hand Amalek prevailed 12. But Moses hands were heavy and they took a stone and put it under him and he sat thereon and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands the one on the one side and the other on the other side and his hands were steady untill the going down of the sun 13. And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword 14. And the LORD said unto Moses Write this for a memorial in a book and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven 15. And Moses built an altar and called the name of it JEHOVAH-nissi 16. For he said because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation 1. AFter their journeys Which Journeys are elsewhere more particularly related Num. 33.12 13 14. 2. Wherefore V. Num. 20.4 Wherefore do ye tempt the LORD i. e. Wherefore do ye by your distrust and discontent question the Power and Care of the Lord Vid. Matt. 16.1 Psal 78.18 19. See v. 7. 4. Cried i. e. Prayed as he was wont to do in straits c. 14.15 c. 15.25 5. The elders As competent witnesses of the wonderfull Power of God Vid. c. 3.16 Thou smotest c. 7.20 6. Behold Num. 20.9 Ps 78.15 and 105.41 Wisd 11.4 1 Cor. 10.4 I will stand i. e. The Pillar of Cloud the sign of my Presence among you shall stand upon the Rock c. Water out of it Though the Rock were unlikely to afford it This speaks the Power of God and does also represent Christ and the Benefits which we receive by him 1 Cor. 10.4 Joh. 7.37 7. Massah That is tentation Meribah That is chiding or strife Is the LORD c. See the Notes on v. 2. 8. Then came Deut. 25.17 Wisd 11.3 Amalek i. e. The Amalekites who were descended from Amalek one of the Sons of Eliphaz the first-born of Esau Gen. 36.15 16. 9. Joshua Called Jesus Act. 7.45 10. Hur A Man of great note and authority and possibly the Head of the Tribe of Judah at this time V. c. 24.14 1 Chron. 2.19 Josephus adds That he was the Husband of Miriam 11. Held up his hand i. e. His Hands as appears from v. 12. and that with the Rod of God v. 9. the sign of God's Power The lifting up of Hands is an Expression of Prayer Psal 28.2 1 Tim. 2.8 And this passage does fitly express to us the efficacy of fervent Prayer to God 12. His hands were steady They were stretched out in prayer says the Chaldee He hold the Rod the ensign of God's Power in his Hand The word we render steady does in the Hebrew import faith and this may well express the Faith of Moses in the Power of God and commend to us the Prayer of Faith Jam. 1.6 Matt. 21.22 14. In a book This was done Deut. 25.17 18 19. Of Joshua Who was to succeed to Moses and to fight the Lord's Battels I will utterly put out the remembrance c. In due time I will destroy their Memory Vid. Deut. 25.17 1 Sam. 15.7 c. 30.17 2 Sam. 8.12 Esth 9.14 15. An altar Vnto the Lord say the Greek The name of it Or The name of Him that is of the Lord. JEHOVAH-nissi That is The Lord my Banner He who enabled me to fight and get the Victory Moses built an Altar and thereon served before the Lord who wrought wonders for him says the Chaldee 16. Because c. Or Because the hand of Amalek is against the throne of the Lord. The LORD hath sworn Heb. The hand upon the throne of the Lord. The reason of this variety is from this that the lifting up the Hand and especially towards Heaven the Throne of God was used in swearing and no wonder that the sign should be put for the thing signified See Gen. 14.22 Rev. 10.5 6. CHAP. XVIII The ARGUMENT Jethro comes to Moses and brings with him the Wife and two Sons of Moses He acquaints him with what God had done
stranger i. e. One that is not of the Race of Aaron ch 30.33 They are holy i. e. These things are holy as the Greek have it 37. Most holy Not onely as set apart to an holy use but as it sanctifies the Gift that was offered upon it Matt. 23.19 38. Two lambs Num. 28.3 40. Tenth-deal i. e. A tenth part of an Ephah Num. 28.5 See the Notes on Exod. 16.36 The fourth part of an hin An Hin contains twelve Logs says Maimon H. Maas Hak-korban c. 2. A Log the quantity of six Eggs or about half a Pint. The fourth part of an Hin is about a Pint and an half 43. The tabernacle Or Israel The Text being Elliptical it may be understood of either It was the glorious Presence of God that sanctified both the Tabernacle and the Congregation which met there and both these agree with the words which follow v. 44. 45. I will dwell Levit. 26.12 2 Cor. 6.16 CHAP. XXX The ARGUMENT Of the Altar of Incense Of the ransom Money or half Shekel to be paid for them that are above twenty years old Of the Laver of brass Of the Holy Anointing-oyl The Composition of the Perfume 1. AND thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon of shittim-wood shalt thou make it 2. A cubit shall be the length thereof and a cubit the breadth thereof four square shall it be and two cubits shall be the height thereof the horns thereof shall be of the same 3. And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold the top thereof and the sides thereof round about and the horns thereof and thou shalt make unto it a crown of gold round about 4. And two golden rings shalt thou make to it under the crown of it by the two corners thereof upon the two sides of it shalt thou make it and they shall be for places for the staves to bear it withall 5. And thou shalt make the staves of shittim-wood and overlay them with gold 6. And thou shalt put it before the veil that is by the ark of the testimony before the mercy-seat that is over the testimony where I will meet with thee 7. And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning when he dresseth the lamps he shall burn incense upon it 8. And when Aaron lighteth the lamps at even he shall burn incense upon it a perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations 9. Ye shall offer no strange incense thereon nor burnt sacrifice nor meat-offering neither shall ye pour drink-offering thereon 10. And Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it once in a year with the blood of the sin-offering of atonements once in the year shall he make atonement upon it throughout your generations it is most holy unto the LORD 11. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 12. When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel after their number then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul unto the LORD when thou numbrest them that there be no plague amongst them when thou numbrest them 13. This they shall give every one that passeth among them that are numbred half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary A shekel is twenty gerahs an half shekel shall be the offering of the LORD 14. Every one that passeth among them that are numbred from twenty years old and above shall give an offering unto the LORD 15. The rich shall not give more and the poor shall not give less then half a shekel when they give an offering unto the LORD to make an atonement for your souls 16. And thou shalt take the atonement-money of the children of Israel and shalt appoint it for the service of the tâ—bernacle of the congregation that it may be a memorial unto the childreâ— of Israel before the LORD to make an atonement for your souls 17. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 18. Thou shalt also make a lover of brass and his foot also of brass to wash withall and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar and thou shalt put water therein 19. For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat 20. When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation they shall wash with water that they die not or when they come near to the altar to minister to burn offering made by fire unto the LORD 21. So they shall wash their hands and their feet that they die not and it shall be a statute for ever to them even to him and to his seed throughout their generations 22. Moreover the LORD spake unto Moses saying 23. Take thou also unto thee principal spices of pure myrrhe five hundred shekels and of sweet cinnamon half so much even two hundred and fifty shekels and of sweet colamus two hundred and fifty shekels 24. And of cassia five hundred shekels after the shekel of the sanctuary and of the oyl-olive an hin 25. And thou shalt make it an oyl of holy ointment an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary it shall be an holy anointing oyl 26. And thou shalt anoint the tabernacle of the congregation therewith and the ark of the testimony 27. And the table and all his vessels and the candlestick and his vessels and the altar of incense 28. And the altar of burnt-offering with all his vessels and the laver and his foot 29. And thou shalt sanctifie them that they may be most holy whatsoever toucheth them shall be holy 30. And thou shalt anoint Aaron and his sons and consecrate them that they may minister unto me in the priest's office 31. And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel saying This shall be an holy anointing oyl unto me throughout your generations 32. Vpon man's flesh shall it not be poured neither shall ye make any other like it after the composition of it it is holy and it shall be holy unto you 33. Whosoever compoundeth any like it or whosoever putteth any of it upon a stranger shall even be cut off from his people 34. And the LORD said unto Moses Take unto thee sweet spices stacte and onycha and galbanum these sweet spices with pure frankincense of each shall there be a like weight 35. And thou shalt make it a perfume a confection after the art of the apothecary tempered together pure and holy 36. And thou shalt beat some of it very small and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation where I will meet with thee it shall be unto you most holy 37. And as for the perfume which thou shalt make you shall not make to your selves according to the composition thereof it shall be unto thee holy for the LORD 38. Whosoever shall make like unto that to smell thereto shall even be cut off from his people 1. SHittim-wood See ch 25.5 2. Horns Vid. ch 27.2 3. Top Heb. Roof-Sides Heb. Walls 4. Corners Heb. Ribs 6. Before the
out of Egypt Deut. 5.15 And it was a standing sign of that People's relation to God as their Maker and Deliverer Ezek. 20.20 That doth sanctifie you Or That doth set you apart to my Service and as a sign and token thereof the Sabbath was ordained for the service of God and rest from Worldly Occasions 14. Ye shall keep c. Ch. 20.8 Deut. 5.12 Ezek. 20.12 Be put to death The case was thus says Maimon among the Jews He that proudly and wittingly did work on the Sabbath was liable to be cut off i. e. To perish by the hand of God If he did it ignorantly he was obliged to bring his Sin-offering but if he were convicted by Witnesses he was to be stoned Num. 15.27.30 and 35. 15. Holy Heb. Holiness 17. In six days Gen. 1.13 and 2.2 18. Two tables Deut. 9.10 With the finger of God This is spoken after the manner of Men and is to be understood accordingly These Tables and the Writing on them were noâ— the work of a Man but were the work of God Vid. ch 31.16 Vid. More Nevochim p. 1. c. 66. CHAP. XXXII The ARGUMENT In the absence of Moses the Israelites prevail with Aaron to make a Calf They commit Idolatry God's great displeasure thereupon Moses intercedes with God on their behalf The Tables of Stone are broken Moses destroys the Calf and expostulates with Aaron The Sons of Levi slay many of the Israelites by the direction of Moses Moses minds the People of the greatness of their Sin He pleads with God on their behalf 1. AND when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron and said unto him Vp make us gods which shall go before us for as for this Moses the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt we wot not what is become of him 2. And Aaron said unto them Break off the golden ear-rings whâ—â—h are in the ears of your wives of your sons and of your daughters and bring them unto me 3. And all the people brake off the golden ear-rings which were in their ears and brought them unto Aaron 4. And he received them at their hand and fashioned it with a graving tool after he had made it a molten calf and they said These be thy gods O Israel which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt 5. And when Aaron saw it he built an altar before it and Aaron made proclamation and said To morrow is a feast to the LORD 6. And they rose up early on the morrow and offered burnt-offerings and brought peace-offerings and the people sat down to eat and to drink and rose up to play 7. And the LORD said unto Moses Go get thee down for thy people which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt have corrupted themselves 8. They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them they have made them a molten calf and have worshipped it and have sacrificed thereunto and said These be thy gods O Israel which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt 9. And the LORD said unto Moses I have seen this people and behold it is a stiff-necked people 10. Now therefore let me alone that my wrath may wax hot against them and that I may consume them and I will make of thee a great nation 11. And Moses besought the LORD his God and said LORD why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand 12. Wherefore should the Egyptians speak and say For mischief did he bring them out to slay them in the mountains and to consume them from the face of the earth Turn from thy fierce wrath and repent of this evil against thy people 13. Remember Abraham Isaac and Israel thy servants to whom thou swarest by thine own self and saidest unto them I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed and they shall inherit it for ever 14. And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people 15. And Moses turned and went down from the mount and the two tables of the testimony were in his hand the tables were written on both their sides on the one side and on the other were they written 16. And the tables were the work of God and the writing was the writing of God graven upon the tables 17. And when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted he said unto Moses There is a noise of war in the camp 18. And he said It is not the voice of them that shout for mastery neither is it the voice of them that cry for being overcome but the noise of them that sing do I hear 19. And it came to pass assoon as he came nigh unto the camp that he saw the calf and the dancing and Moses's anger waxed hot and he cast the tables out of his hands and brake them beneath the mount 20. And he took the calf which they had made and burnt it in the fire and ground it to powder and strawed it upon the water and made the children of Israel drink of it 21. And Moses said unto Aaron What did this people unto thee that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them 22. And Aaron said Let not the anger of my lord wax hot thou knowest the people that they are set on mischief 23. For they said unto me Make us gods which shall go before us For as for this Moses the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt we wot not what is become of him 24. And I said unto them Whosoever hath any gold let them break it off So they gave it me then I cast it into the fire and there came out this calf 25. And when Moses saw that the people were naked for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame amongst their enemies 26. Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp and said Who is on the LORD's side let him come unto me And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him 27. And he said unto them Thus saith the LORD God of Israel Put every man his sword by his side and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp and slay every man his brother and every man his companion and every man his neighbour 28. And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men 29. For Moses had said Consecrate your selves to day to the LORD even every man upon his son and upon his brother that he may bestow upon you a blessing this day 30. And it came to pass on the morrow that Moses said unto the people Ye have sinned a great sin and now I will
heave-shoulder have I taken of the children of Israel from off the sacrifices of their peace-offerings and have given them unto Aaron the priest and unto his sons by a statute for ever from among the children of Israel 35. This is the portion of the anointing of Aaron and of the anointing of his sons out of the offerings of the LORD made by fire in the day when he presented them to minister unto the LORD in the priest's office 36. Which the LORD commanded to be given them of the children of Israel in the day that he anointed them by a statute for ever throughout their generations 37. This is the law of the burnt-offering of the meat-offering and of the sin-offering and of the trespass-offering and of the consecrations and of the sacrifice of the peace-offerings 38. Which the LORD commanded Moses in mount Sinai in the day that he commanded the children of Israel to offer their oblations unto the LORD in the wilderness of Sinai 1. TRespass-offering This Offering though in many things it was like the Sin-offering yet in other things it differed from it viz. 1. A Female was allowed in a Sin-offering but a Male was required in the Trespass-offering ch 4.28 with ch 6.6 2. The Blood of the Sin-offering was to be put upon the Horns of the Altar ch 4.34 that of the Trespass-offering was to be sprinkled round about upon the Altar v. 2. 3. The Sin-offering was sometime offered for the whole Congregation ch 4.13 The Trespass-offering for a single person 4. Two kidneys a Ch. 3.4 7. One law The difference between them is shewn on v. 1. Besides that they were alike in other things so in that which follows the Law was one and the same that the Priest that maketh atonement therewith shall have it Lev. 6.26 8. The skin This was allowed to the Priest who ministred for he was not allowed any part of the Flesh this was intirely consumed upon the Altar upon which consideration he is allowed the Skin whence 't is reasonable to conclude That in all other cases the Skin belonged to the Offerer 9. In the pan Or On the flat plate or slice 10. And dry Ch. 5.11 12. For thanksgiving For some mercy received 13. He shall offer c. This leavened Bread is not said to be offered upon the Altar nor does the Text in the Original imply any such thing Vid. ch 2.11 It was prepared for the Priest and those who were allowed to eat of this Offering 14. An heave-offering So it is called because it was lifted up as the Hebrew word imports 15. Be eaten the same day It is not to be supposed that the Offerer should be obliged to eat it himself in so short a time and therefore he was obliged to invite others to his assistance and this Law recommended to the Offerer Mercy and Kindness to his Brethren when he came to give God thanks for the Mercies which he had received And this account Philo the Jew gives of this matter That they says he who have been partakers of opportune and ready Benefits might express their ready and undelayed Beneficence to others Phil. de Victim 16. A vow or a voluntary offering See the Notes on ch 3.1 And on the morrow These offeâ—ings not having respect to a mercy already received were allowed to be eaten by the Offerer two days together whereas that v. 15. was to be eaten the same day in which it was offered as a testimony of the Offerer's Bounty and Gratitude 17. Burnt with fire And not eaten lest it should in that space of time corrupt 18. An abomination Lev. 19.7 19. The flesh i. e. The Holy Flesh or Flesh of the Peace-offering 20. Having his uncleanness Ch. 15.3 with ch 11.24 21. Cut off See Notes on Gen. 17.14 23. Ye shall eat no c. Ch. 3.7 This is forbid as that which is God's part of the Sacrifice v. 25. 24. Beast Heb. Carkase 26. Moreover c. Gen. 9.4 ch 3.17 and 17.14 29. His oblation c. That is the Fat which was the Lord's and the Breast which was the Priest's portion out of his Peace-offering v. 30. 31. 30. The breast Exod. 29.24 Wave-offering See the Notes on Exod. 29.24 35. This is the portion c. See Exod. 29.27 28. 37. And of the consecrations Of which we have an account Exod. 29. 38. In mount Sinai Or near unto Mount Sinai as it may be rendred it follows In the wilderness of Sinai CHAP. VIII The ARGUMENT The Consecration of Aaron and his Sons Aaron and his Sons washed Aaron is cloathed with the Holy Garments The Tabernacle is anointed and Aaron and his Sons are cloathed The Sin-offering upon this occasion The Ram for the Burnt-offering The Ram of Consecration The Wave-offering Aaron's Sons anointed The Consecration continues seven days 1. AND the LORD spake unto Moses saying 2. Take Aaron and his sons with him and the garments and the anointing oyl and a bullock for the sin-offering and two rams and a basket of unleavened bread 3. And gather thou all the congregation together unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation 4. And Moses did as the LORD commanded him and the assembly was gathered together unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation 5. And Moses said unto the congregation This is the thing which the LORD commanded to be done 6. And Moses brought Aaron and his sons and washed them with water 7. And he put upon him the coat and girded him with the girdle and cloathed him with the robe and put the ephod upon him and he girded him with the curious girdle of the ephod and bound it unto him therewith 8. And he put the breast-plate upon him also he put in the breast-plate the Vrim and Thummim 9. And he put the mitre upon his head also upon the mitre even upon his forefront did he put the golden-plate the holy crown as the LORD commanded Moses 10. And Moses took the anointing oyl and anointed the tabernacle and all that was therein and sanctified them 11. And he sprinkled thereof upon the altar seven times and anointed the altar and all his vessels both the laver and his foot to sanctifie them 12. And he poured of the anointing oyl upon Aaron's head and anointed him to sanctifie him 13. And Moses brought Aaron's sons and put coats upon them and girded them with girdles and put bonnets upon them as the LORD commanded Moses 14. And he brought the bullock for the sin-offering and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the bullock for the sin-offering 15. And he slew it and Moses took the blood and put it upon the horns of the altar round about with his finger and purified the altar and poured the blood at the bottom of the altar and sanctified it to make reconciliation upon it 16. And he took all the fat that was upon the inwards and the caul above the liver and the two kidneys and their
meat-offering mingled with oyl for to day the LORD will appear unto you 5. And they brought that which Moses commanded before the tabernacle of the congregation and all the congregation drew near and stood before the LORD 6. And Moses said This is the thing which the LORD commanded that ye should do and the glory of the LORD shall appear unto you 7. And Moses said unto Aaron Go unto the altar and offer thy sin-offering and thy burnt-offering and make an atonement for thy self and for the people and offer the offering of the people and make an atonement for them as the LORD commanded 8. Aaron therefore went unto the altar and slew the calf of the sin-offering which was for himself 9. And the sons of Aaron brought the blood unto him and he dipt his finger in the blood and put it upon the horns of the altar and poured out the blood at the bottom of the altar 10. But the fat and the kidneys and the caul above the liver of the sin-offering he burnt upon the altar as the LORD commanded Moses 11. And the flesh and the hide he burnt with fire without the camp 12. And he slew the burnt-offering and Aaron's sons presented unto him the blood which he sprinkled round about upon the altar 13. And they presented the burnt-offering unto him with the pieces thereof and the head and he burnt them upon the altar 14. And he did wash the inwards and the legs and burnt them upon the burnt-offering on the altar 15. And he brought the people's offering and took the goat which was the sin-offering for the people and slew it and offered it for sin as the first 16. And he brought the burnt-offering and offered it according to the manner 17. And he brought the meat-offering and took an handfull thereof and burnt it upon the altar beside the burnt-sacrifice of the morning 18. He slew also the bullock and the ram for a sacrifice of peace-offerings which was for the people and Aaron's sons presented unto him the blood which he sprinkled upon the altar round about 19. And the fat of the bullock and of the ram the rump and that which covereth the inwards and the kidneys and the caul above the liver 20. And they put the fat upon the breasts and he burnt the fat upon the altar 21. And the breasts and the right shoulder Aaron waved for a wave-offering before the LORD as Moses commanded 22. And Aaron lift up his hand towards the people and blessed them and came down from offering of the sin-offering and the burnt-offering and peace-offerings 23. And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregation and came out and blessed the people and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the people 24. And there came a fire out from before the LORD and consumed upon the altar the burnt-offering and the far which when all the people saw they shouted and fell on their faces 1. ON the eighth day That is From the beginning of the Consecration of the Priests ch 8.33 35. Exod. 29.30 Ezek. 43.26 27. 2. Take Exod. 29.1 For a sin-offering i. e. To expiate his own sins v. 8. The High-priest was obliged to bring a young Bullock for his sin Lev. 4.3 And it is required of Aaron here upon his entring upon his Office Whence it is evident that his Priesthood was designed for his own Expiation as well as that of the People Heb. 5.2 and 9.7 3. For a sin-offering Of the order of these Offerings See the Note on ch 8.14 4. For peace-offerings These were for the People v. 18. Here is no Peace-offering required of Aaron because part of that Offering being the Portion of the Priest and the greater part of the Offerer it could not be offered aright by Aaron who would have been both Priest and Offerer The LORD will appear i. e. The Glory of the Lord will appear See v. 6. 5. Before the LORD i. e. At the entrance of the Tabernacle 6. The glory of the LORD i. e. A visible sign of the Presence and Favour of God This was fulfilled v. 24. when by the fire which God sent and which consumed the Sacrifice He gave them assurance that he accepted the Offering See Gen. 4.4 1 King 18.38 2 Chron. 7.1 2 Mac. 2.10 11. And any such token or sign of God's favour and more especial Presence may be called the Glory or the Glory of the Lord 2 Pet. 1.17 with Matt. 17.5 Rom. 9.4 with 1 Sam. 4.22 7. For thy self and for the people In which respect the Legal Priests came short of Christ Heb. 5.3 and 7.26 27 28. 15. As the first As the Sin-offering mentioned v. 8. And he also burnt it as he did that without the Camp v. 11. For which he is reproved by Moses ch 10.16 17. 16. Manner Or Ordinance Took an handfull thereof Heb. Filled his hand out of it Beside the burnt-offering c. Exod. 29.38 This Oblation was offered beside the continual Offering that was with its Meat-offering offered every morning 18. For the people See the Note on v. 4. 21. Breasts and the right shoulder These are the portion of the Priest who ministred Levit. 7.34 Waved See the Notes on Exod. 29.24 22. Blessed them This was the Office of the Priest 2 Chron. 23.13 The form of doing this is prescribed Numb 6.23 In this Aaron was a Figure of Christ Act. 3.26 Who lift up his hands and blessed his disciples Luk. 24.50 23. Appeared unto all the people See the Notes on v. 6. 24. There came c. Gen. 4.4 1 King 18.18 2 Chron. 7.1 2 Mac. 2.10 11. CHAP. X. The ARGUMENT Nadab and Abihu for offering strange Fire are burnt Aaron and his Sons are forbidden to Mourn for them The Priests are forbidden Wine and strong Drink when they go into the Tabernacle Aaron and his Sons commanded to eat their portion of the Offerings Aaron excuseth his not Eating at this time 1. AND Nadab and Abihu the sons of Aaron took either of them his censer and put fire therein and put incense thereon and offered strange fire before the LORD which he commanded them not 2. And there went out fire from the LORD and devoured them and they died before the LORD 3. Then Moses said unto Aaron This is it that the LORD spake saying I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me and before all the people I will be glorified And Aaron held his peace 4. And Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan the sons of Vzziel the uncle of Aaron and said unto them Come near carry your brethren from before the sanctuary out of the camp 5. So they went near and carried them in their coats out of the camp as Moses had said 6. And Moses said unto Aaron and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar his sons Vncover not your heads neither rend your clothes lest you die and lest wrath come upon all the people but let your brethren the whole house of Israel
pins and their cords with all their instruments and with all their service and by name ye shall reckon the instruments of the charge of their burden 33. This is the service of the families of the sons of Merari according to all their service in the tabernacle of the congregation under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest 34. And Moses and Aaron and the chief of the congregation numbred the sons of the Kohathites after their families and after the house of their fathers 35. From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old every one that entreth into the service for the work in the tabernacle of the congregation 36. And those that were numbred of them by their families were two thousand seven hundred and fifty 37. These were they that were numbred of the families of the Kobathites all that might do service in the tabernacle of the congregation which Moses and Aaron did number according to the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses 38. And those that were numbred of the sons of Gershon throughout their families and by the house of their fathers 39. From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old every one that entreth in to the service for the work in the tabernacle of the congregation 40. Even those that were numbred of them throughout their families by the houses of their fathers were two thousand and six hundred and thirty 41. These are they that were numbred of the families of the sons of Gershon of all that might do service in the tabernacle of the congregation whom Moses and Aaron did number according to the commandment of the LORD 42. And those that were numbred of the families of the sons of Merari throughout their families by the house of their fathers 43. From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old every one that entreth into the service for the work in the tabernacle of the congregation 44. Even those that were numbred of them after their families were three thousand and two hundred 45. These be those that were numbred of the families of the sons of Merari whom Moses and Aaron numbred according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Moses 46. All those that were numbred of the Levites whom Moses and Aaron and the chief of Israel numbred after their families and after the house of their fathers 47. From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old every one that came to do the service of the ministery and the service of the burden in the tabernacle of the congregation 48. Even those that were numbred of them were eight thousand and five hundred and fourscore 49. According to the commandment of the LORD they were numbred by the hand of Moses every one according to his service and according to his burden thus were they numbred of him as the LORD commanded Moses 3. From thirty years old c. While the Tabernacle continued the Levites were admitted into their several Offices and Employments at several Ages They were not obliged to the most burdensome before the Age of thirty years nor after fifty And of this sort is the Employment mentioned here See v. 15 25 31. But there are other Offices belonging to the Levites besides the hearing of the Tabernacle for they were obliged to serve in it Numb 8.19 And to their attendance upon the Tabernacle they were admitted at the Age of Five and twenty years Numb 8.24 This reconciles this place with Numb 8.25 The Levites there are considered as admitted to serve which they might do at the Age of Twenty-five years Here they are considered with respect to their burden to which Employment they were not admitted till the Age of Thirty years The service and burden of the Levites are of a distinct consideration E. g. This is the service of the families of the Gershonites to serve and for burdens v. 24. Again From thirty years old and upwards even unto fifty years old every one that came to do the Service of the Ministery and the Service of the Burden v. 47. In the 8th of Numbers there is no mention of the Burden but of the Service of the Levites As the Levites were not at the same Age received into every Employment so they were not at the Age of Fifty years discharged from all attendance but were obliged to minister with their Brethren ch 8.21 26. All that enter c. i. e. All that are fit to enter upon this Ministery being of a just age and sufficient strength and not legally excluded ch 5.2.1.3 This Service was a spiritual Warfare and he that entred upon it is said to enter into the Host See v. 23. and 1 Tim. 1.18 2 Tim. 2.3 5. The covering veil The same which is called the veil Exod. 40.3 And the second veil Heb. 9.3 The Veil which did divide between the Holy place and the most Holy Exod. 26.31 32 33. The Covering of the door of the Tabernacle of the Congregation was the Charge of the Gershonites v. 25. 6. The covering of badger's skins Thus Covering was a peculiar Case or Cover made on purpose to defend the Ark from the injury of Weather Such a Case there was also for the Table of Shew-bread v. 8. and for the Candlestick v. 10. and for the Golden Altar v. 11. and the Altar of Burnt-offering v. 14. These seem to be meant by the Clothes of Service which are mention'd Exod. 31.10 presently after the Ark and Table and Candlestick the Altar of Incense and the Altar of Burnt-offering which are there reckoned up in the same Order in which we find them just before the mention of the Clothes of Service v. 10. Put in the staves i. e. Order and dispose the Staves as the Hebrew word elsewhere signifies Levit. 24.6 Gen. 28.11 Psal 50.23 that they might be so covered that yet the Ark may be born with them Exod. 25.14 Here is no mention in this place of putting them into the Rings which is by other words expressed Exod. 25.14 And it was Commanded that the Staves should be constantly in the Rings of the Ark Exod. 25.15 7. Table Exod. 25.30 Cover withall Heb. Pour out withall See the Notes on Exod. 25.29 9. Candlestick Exod. 25.31 And his Lamps Exod. 25.37 38. 10. A Bar For the better carrying of it there being no Rings and Staves belonging to the Candlestick 11. Staves See Exod. 30.5 12. Bar See v. 10. 13. Altar i. e. The Altar of Burnt-offering For of the Altar of Incense can was taken before v. 11. 14. Censers Or Tongs The Hebrew word denotes an Instrument that takes the Fire or Câ—â—â— Basons Or Bowls Staves See Exod. 27.7 15. To bear The Levites were generally obliged to bear the Ark and the other Holy things mentioned here See 1 Chron. 15.2 15. But this is not so to be understood as to exclude the Priest's from bearing the Aâ—k upon occasion which they did without being guilty of
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
might have been made once before the manner of which Water follows in this Chapter A red heifer c. This Law concerning the Water of Separation for the purifying those who were legally unclean fitly succeeds in this place for the Israelites were now in great fear that by coming near the Tabernacle they should be consumed chap. 17.12 13. Here is a way appointed to cleanse them from their legal Impurities which would have rendred their approach to the Sanctuary dangerous to them This is a Type of Christ Who hath washed us from our sins in his own blood Rev. 1.5 3. Vnto Eleazar Not unto Aaron but to Eleazar because Aaron being the High-priest was under the strictest obligation to shun every legal Uncleanness Lev. 21.11 12. which he who ministred in this Service could not do v. 7. Forth without the camp Heb. 13.11 His face i. e. Eleazar's 4. Sprinkle Heb. 9.13 Before the tabernacle viz. The place where God did more especially presentiate himself and the Type of Heaven into which we can onely by the Blood of Jesus hope to enter Heb. 10.19 5. Her skin Exod 29.14 Levit. 4.11 12. 7. Be unclean The same is said of him that burned the Heifer v. 8. and of him that gathered the Ashes v. 10. and of him that should sprinkle with the Water of Separation or touch it v. 21. which intimate to us the imperfection of the legal Dispensation and Typifie Christ's being made a Curse for us The red Heifer was a Type of Christ who bore our sins Isa 53.12 2 Cor. 5.21 9. Clean That is Free from legal pollution Separation i. e. Which takes away the legal impurities from men a Type of Christ's Blood which purgeth the Conscience from dead works 10. Vnclean See the Note on v. 7. Stranger i. e. Proselyte 11. Man Heb. Soul of man Seven days He that touched the Carcase of an unclean Beast was unclean onely to the Evening Levit. 11.24 13. Defileth the tabernacle That is By approaching to it in his Uncleanness he polluteth the Holy Place For Holy Things were defiled by Unclean Haggai 2.13 with Levit. 15.31 16. Slain with a sword Or any other ways slain as appears from the following words 17. Ashes Heb. Dust Running water shall be put Heb. Living waters shall be given 20. Defiled See v. 13. 22. The unclean person i. e. He that sprinkleth that Water of Separation v. 21. as well as the mentioned v. 7. and he that gathered the Ashes of the Red Heifer v. 10. CHAP. XX. The ARGUMENT The Children of Israel come to Zin Miriam dieth The People murmur for want of Water Moses smites the Rock and they were supplied with Water Moses and Aaron excluded from bringing the Israelites into Canaan Moses is denied passage through Edom. Aaron dieth 1. THen came the children of Israel even the whole congregation into the desart of Zin in the first month and the people abode in Kadesh and Miriam died there and was buried there 2. And there was no water for the congregation and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron 3. And the people chode with Moses and spake saying Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the LORD 4. And why have ye brought up the congregation of the LORD into this wilderness that we and our cattel should die there 5. And wherefore have ye made us to come up out of Egypt to bring us in unto this evil place it is no place of seed or of figs or of vines or of pomegranates neither is there any water to drink 6. And Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation and they fell upon their faces and the glory of the LORD appeared unto them 7. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 8. Take the rod and gather thou the assembly together thou and Aaron thy brother and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes and it shall give forth his water and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink 9. And Moses took the rod from before the LORD as he commanded him 10. And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock and he said unto them Hear now ye rebels must we fetch you water out of this rock 11. And Moses lift up his hand and with his rod he smote the rock twice and the water came out abundantly and the congregation drank and their beasts also 12. And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron Because ye believed me not to sanctifie me in the eyes of the children of Israel therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them 13. This is the water of Meribah because the children of Israel strove with the LORD and he was sanctified in them 14. And Moses sent messengers from Kadesh unto the king of Edom Thus saith thy brother Israel Thou knowest all the travel that hath befallen us 15. How our fathers went down into Egypt and we have dwelt in Egypt a long time and the Egyptians vexed us and our fathers 16. And when we cried unto the LORD he heard our voice and sent an angel and hath brought us forth out of Egypt and behold we are in Kadesh a city in the uttermost of thy border 17. Let us pass I pray thee through thy country we will not pass through the fields or through the vineyards neither will we drink of the water of the wells we will go by the king's high-way we will not turn to the right hand nor to the left until we have passed thy borders 18. And Edom said unto him Thou shalt not pass by me lest I come out against thee with the sword 19. And the children of Israel said unto him We will go by the high-way and if I and my cattel drink of thy water then I will pay for it I will onely without doing any thing else go through on my feet 20. And he said Thou shalt not go through And Edom came out against him with much people and with a strong hand 21. Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border wherefore Israel turned away from him 22. And the children of Israel even the whole congregation journeyed from Kadesh and came unto mount Hor. 23. And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in mount Hor by the coast of the land of Edom saying 24. Aaron shall be gathered unto his people for he shall not enter into the land which I have given unto the children of Israel because ye rebelled against my word at the water of Meribah 25. Take Aaron and Eleazar his son and bring them up unto mount Hor 26. And strip Aaron of his garments and put them upon Eleazar his son and Aaron shall be gathered unto his people and shall die there 27. And Moses did as the LORD commanded and they went up into
pretence though he is content to part with Hebron Obj. IV. It is pretended that Moses cou'd not write those words Deut. 2.12 The Horims also dwelt in Seir before-time but the children of Esau succeeded them when they had destroyed them from before them and dwelt in their stead as Israel did unto the land of his possession which the Lord gave unto them The force of the Objection lies in the latter part of the words as Israel did c. By which it 's pretended is meant that Israel dwelt in Seir and expell'd the Idumaeans but that this hapned not in the time of Moses as appears from v. 5. but long afterwards This being that which David mentions Psal 108.9 and which was in his time effected 1 Chron. 18.13 Praeadamit l. 4. c. 1. I answer That here is no mention of the Israelites possessing the Land of the Idumaeans That is fiction and without any shadow of ground from this Text. And for the true meaning of the place I referr the Reader to the Note on Deut. 2.12 Obj. V. It is pretended that Moses could not write those words Gen. 12.6 And the Canaanite was then in the Land This Objection is made by Mr. Hobbs and by Spinosa The utmost of it amounts but to thus much That these words cou'd not be writ by Moses because it wou'd be impertinent for him to say this which was so well known at that time For the Canaanite continu'd above 400 years in the Land after this and therefore those words were added by some hand after the Destruction of the Canaanites Before I answer this I observe this by the way That this Objection is not of the sort of some others which pretend that Moses cou'd not write some passages because the words they insist on mention some-thing that hapned after his time That cannot be pretended here Here all that can be said is That we cannot think Moses wou'd write these words without a Cause I answer 1. That what Moses says is that the Canaanite was THEN in the Land i. e. He had in those early days of Abram possession of that Land which God intended above 400 years afterward to bestow on the Posterity of Abram In the very next words we read And the Lord appear'd unto Abram and said unto thy seed Will I give THIS Land i. e. This very Land which is now in possession of the Canaanite and for that reason call'd the Land of Canaan chap. 11.31 We have a particular account of the Destruction of the Canaanite and of the precise time when it hapned But that Relation does not tell us how long they had been possessed of it That we learn here The Objectors force a sense upon the words As if these words The Canaanite was then in the Land imported thus much The Canaanite was not as yet dispossess'd of the Land Whereas the Text onely tells us that they were Possessors of it THEN when Abram came first to it and when God promis'd it to his Posterity And then the words have no reference to the Destruction of the Canaanites but to their early Possession onely 2. It is very certain that the word Canaanite sometimes signifies a particular Tribe or Family so call'd and not the general Name of the Inhabitants of that Land Thus the word signifies Gen. 13.7.15.21 Numb 13.29.14.25 And then Moses onely relates that in that tract of Land in which Abram then was this Tribe dwelt 3. It is very unreasonable therefore to object this against Moses his being the Author of these words and that because we do not understand the reason of his bringing in these words in this place Because there might be sufficient Reasons though at this distance we were not able to discern them And at this rate we may reject any ancient Author whatsoever I add that 't is to be considered what Land is meant in these words 'T is said that Abram passed through the Land to the place of Sichem It follows The Canaanite was then in the Land viz. of Sichem But these Canaanites were destroyed and their City spoiled and their Land driven before the Israelites went into Egypt and thâ—â—efore before Moses wrote these words Gen. 34. In Abram's time the Canaanite was in that Land and even then he durst go thither and profess the Worship of the true God but he was not there afterward being destroyed by Jacob's Sons That Land being void they came thither to feed their Flocks Gen. 37.14 The Words are well rendred by a late Writer Et Cananaeus quidem tunc temporis in eo tractu fuit Obj. VI. 'T is farther objected that Moses cou'd not be the Author of some part of Deut. 3. And two places are insisted upon viz. v. 11. For onely Og King of Bashan remain'd of the remnant of Giants Behold his bed-stead was a bed-stead of Iron is it not in Rabbath of the children of Ammon c. These words 't is said cou'd not be written by Moses but by a later Author for Moses need not to have mention'd the Bed-stead to those Jews his Contemporaries who had seen the Giant himself Besides 't is pretended that this Bed-stead was not found out till the times of David 2 Sam. 12.30 And therefore these words must be written by a later Author than Moses The other place is v. 14. Jair the son of Manasseh took all the Country of Argob unto the coasts of Geshuri and Maachathi and called them after his own name Bashan-Havoth-Jair unto this day 'T is pretended that these words were added by a later Writer by way of Explication of v. 13. And that Moses wou'd never have said unto this day if he had been the Writer of these words and that therefore the words were written by a much later Writer who gives an account of this matter à longissimâ primâ origine i. e. from the very ancient and first Original To which I answer First As to v. 11. For the mention of the Bed-stead Moses cannot be charged with impertinence He mentions it ad fidem faciendam and he wrote for Posterity and not barely for those who were then living Besides there might also be very many of them who never saw the Giant and to suppose it shou'd have been in Bashan proves nothing at all To affirm that this Bed-stead was not found till David's time and to cite to that purpose 2 Sam. 12.30 is to abuse the Reader for there 's no such thing to be found there Secondly As to v. 14. 'T is a lewd thing to suppose that Verse inserted by another hand and to offer no proof If there be any thing like a proof it must be fetch'd from those words Vnto this day I shall shew that there is nothing in that expression that will inferr a Writer later than Moses The Objection is in it self very unreasonable These Objectors have some pretence when they urge against Moses that he wrote of things after his time But shall he be blam'd
once The Author above-named was under no necessity of parting with this place He was too forward to part with his Divine Author when he was content to drop him upon so slight a ground To which I add the words Exod. 23.11 But the seventh thou shalt let it rest and lie still 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that the poor of thy people may eat or and the poor of thy people shall eat and what they leave 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the beast of the field shall eat Where again the first word which is a preterperfect hath the sense of a future as much as the following which is really and grammatically so Obj. VIII We read Gen. 22.14 And Abraham call'd the name of that place Jehovah-jireh as it is to this day in the mount of the Lord it shall be seen These are supposed not to be the words of Moses but of a later Writer It is pretended that this place was Mount Moriah in which the Temple was afterwards built and that it was not call'd so before such time as the Temple was built and therefore this cou'd not be written till that time which was long after the Time of Moses It is farther pretended that it is not likely that Moses shou'd write those words In the Mount of the Lord it shall be seen because the Writer of those words affirms that That proverbial Speech was used in his Time To which I answer 1. I am not concern'd whether this were the very place that was afterwards call'd Moriah or not 'T is enough to my purpose that it is not call'd Moriah even in this place Whatever affinity Men may fansie between Jehovah-jireh and Moriah 't is certain they are not one and the same Name Here 's nothing proved and we are not obliged to regard groundless Imaginations and that is all we have here offer'd to us 2. Nor is there any thing in the following words but what is very agreeable to the Time and Age of Moses For why might not this proverbial Speech be in use from the Days of Abraham to the Time of Moses Here is space enough from the Time of Abraham to that of Moses for such a Saying to become a common Saying or proverbial Speech If a later Writer might say As it is said to this day why might not Moses say it as well I confess sincerely I do not see in this Objection any thing that hath the least appearance of weight in it And shou'd have been asham'd to mention it were it not incumbent upon me in this matter to lay the Objections I meet with fairly before the Reader Obj. IX The Author of the Leviathan roundly affirms that Moses cou'd not be the Author of those words Numb 21.14 Wherefore it is said in the book of the Wars of the Lord what be did in the Red-sea and in the Brooks of Arnon But he offers no reason for this Opinion of his and therefore I do not think my self obliged to take any farther notice of him in this matter However I find that Spinosa offers something like a Reason for this Opinion and as near as I can guess here lies the Argument That Moses wrote a Book of the War against Amalek by God's Command he says is evident from Exod. 17.14 But it does not from that place appear in what Book he wrote it But in Numb 21. he adds a Book is cited call'd The Book of the Wars of the Lord and in this Book says he without doubt the War against Amalek and the several Journeys of the Israelites which were written by Moses as we find 't is said Numb 33.2 are related Hence he seems to insinuate that the Pentateuch was not written by Moses but by some other hand who cites the Writings of Moses And that therefore the Pentateuch was on this account rather written of Moses than by Him This is the most that I can make of the Pretence of this obscure Writer and after all I can see very little that needs an Answer The Place I grant is obscure and difficult but that does not prove it was not written by Moses The Place is consider'd in the following Notes to which I referr the Reader However having this Occasion offer'd me that I may not seem to neglect any thing for the farther satisfaction of the Reader I shall endeavour to explain the Matter related in Numb 21. and then shew how vain this Pretence is First As to the Matter related thus it is The Israelites had receiv'd a Command not to distress or disturb the Ammonites or Moabites in their Possessions God declaring that he wou'd not bestow their Land upon them Deut. 2. It is the business of Moses to shew that the Israelites had not broken that Law It is true it might be pretended and was pretended afterwards in the days of Jephthah that they had broken it Because upon the Conquest of Sihon and Og 't is certain that the Israelites had taken possession of those Lands which sometime belong'd to this People whom they were forbid to disturb But 't is to be consider'd that these Lands were at that time in the possession of the Amorites who had dispossessed the Ammonites and Moabites I will not so far make a digression as to shew who were the Possessors of these Lands from the Time of Abraham I shall content my self in shewing the design of Moses in this relation And that was 1. To shew when the Israelites came to the River Arnon they found it to be the Boundary or Border between Moab and the Amorites This he affirms v. 13. and confirms it out of a known Book in those Times call'd The Book of the Wars of the Lord v. 14. 2. To prove that the Country which the Israelites took from Sihon and which did formerly belong to the Moabites was quite lost from the Moabites in the time of a former King before Balak This is affirmed v. 26. And therefore Israel found Sihon in full possession of this Country This he also proves from some known and acknowledged Sayings at that time that serv'd to preserve the memory of the fact Whether it were in some Song or contain'd in some Commentary of Facts that were passed I enquire not v. 27 28 c. The words seem to imply that the victorious Amorites did express their Triumph on the score of their Victory over the Moabites in those terms which the Text lays before us This account of the design of Moses and his way of gaining that design will easily give the Reader to understand that these words must needs be obscure and difficult because we are not acquainted with the perfect History of those Times nor with the Memorials of Facts that then had hapned Secondly I proceed to shew the great Vanity of the foregoing Pretence I might very well premise that the Proofs that Moses wrote not these Books had need be very clear or else we are guilty of great Vanity in admitting them And this is far
prejudic'd with false Notions addicted to some foolish Opinions or blinded with some naughty and vicious Inclinâ—â—sion And to such a Reader many Things seem obscure But still the Reader is blameable not the Book He is in this Case like the blind Woman in Seneca who cou'd not be perswaded but that the House was dark when her Eyes were blinded There are some obscure passages in Holy Writ but these Holy Books are not therefore to be discharg'd from being the Writing of those persons whose Names they bear There are very many things exceeding plain to the Reader and many things that are not so are yet very excellent and to be reputed so by a modest Reader When Socrates had read a Book written by Heraclitus and was ask'd how he lik'd the Book he answer'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. Those things in it says he which I understood are excellent and so I presume are the things which I did not understand This modesty becomes us well in reading the Holy Scriptures Where every carefull Reader will not fail to meet with a great many very excellent things which he will easily understand he ought to presume so of those things which he does not comprehend Obj. XXI I find it objected also that there is a different Style in the several parts of the Pentateuch and that therefore 't was not writ by Moses but by several Hands I answer 1. That if this were true it must be allow'd to be a very material Objection and though it wou'd not be altogether concluding yet it wou'd have more weight than all that hath been said before 2. But 't is so far from being true that the Objector does impose upon the more ignorant Reader in this matter For which matter I do appeal to all those that understand the Biblical Hebrew and that have been most conversant in it The Objector ought to have offer'd some proofs of this at least to have told us where any such diversity of Style appears and till he does that he cannot expect any other answer I do grant that in other Books written by several Hands this diversity of Style does manifestly appear The Prophet Isaiah writes in a style that is lofty and sublime Jeremiah on the other hand in a style that is more vulgar and popular Some other parts are written in a style that is concise and elliptical some in a style more ample and copious And as they were written by several Hands so there is that variety in style that wou'd induce the Reader to this belief But I do solemnly averr That there is no such variety in the style of the Pentateuch that gives any colour to such a belief 'T is true that the Songs in Moses are somewhat different from the style of his Prose and some few expressions may be allow'd to be more elliptical and concise but all this still is not such a difference as can inferr him not to be the Writer and are such Things as must be allow'd elsewhere in one and the same Writer and Book Obj. XXII The last Objection and the most common of all is That Moses cou'd not write what we read Deut. 34. The account of his Death and Burial and his Character This therefore must be allow'd to be written by another Hand I answer 1. That it is absurd to say that he cou'd not when 't is remembred that he was not onely a Prophet but the greatest of Prophets There are less Prophets than Moses that tell us many Things that came not to pass till after their own Death And therefore if I shou'd affirm that he wrote this by way of Prophecy as I shou'd not be alone in affirming it but shou'd have good Authority from Antiquity on my side so I am sure I cannot be confuted by any of those who have abdicated Moses Philo the Jew de vit Mos l. 3. tells us that Moses before his Death did fore-tell what Things shou'd happen to the several Tribes Some of which things says he are already come to pass some of them are expected But then he adds That Moses being just going to Heaven 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. being as yet living and divinely inspired did distinctly fore-tell those things which related to his own Death and Burial 2. As to this matter every Man may believe as he sees cause I am very little concern'd about it if he wrote the Pentateuch to this Deut. 34. where we have the account of his Death c. I am satisfied Let what follows be written by another whether Joshua or the High-priest or some other authorized Person this will do the Objectors little service as to the main purpose and me no harm at all He that believes St. Paul wrote the Epistles that go under his Name believes enough as to that matter though he shou'd at the same time believe the Post-scripts at the close of those Epistles were written by another Hand Again he that believes the Book of Psalms an inspir'd Book and written by those Persons whose Names they bear believes enough tho' at the same time he might believe that the words Psal 72.20 The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended were written by another Hand to intimate that there ended one of the Books for the Jews made a Pentateuch of the Book of Psalms and in the following Psalm another Book begins But after all I do not see why what I said before under the first Head shou'd be receiv'd with such laughter and scorn as I find it is And though I think the Cause will not suffer by this Concession yet I do not quit my first Answer And thus I have consider'd the Pretences against Moses I have represented Them with all the advantage on my Adversaries side that I possibly cou'd and have endeavour'd to render their Arguments as pungent and strong as I cou'd and have sometimes found it a greater difficulty to sharpen them and make them appear like Arguments than it was to Answer them I find Moses hath a good Title to the Author of these Books A Title that a good Man esteems more valuable than Crowns and Scepters and that hath preserv'd the Name of Moses and made it Renowned Some few People have attempted to deprive him of this Honour I find nothing of any moment in the above-named Pretences and therefore must own him to be the Author of them still THE First Book of Moses CALLED GENESIS THE General Argument OF THE First Book of MOSES CALLED GENESIS THE Jews call the several Books of Moses which follow by Names that are taken from the first Hebrew word or words with which those Books begin Hence it is that this Book is by them commonly called Bereshith which signifies in the beginning that being the first word with which this Book begins But the Names by which they are known among Christians are taken from the Subject-matter contained in them Hence it is that this first
Israelites did lie under in Egypt and the great Hardships which they met with there of which we have an account in the remaining part of that Chapter and afterwards Chap. 5. III. The Persons by whose Ministry this Deliverance was wrought and under this Head is to be reckoned the account we have of Moses of his Birth and of his wonderfull Preservation and of his Divine Mission Ch. 2 and 3. and Power given to him to do wonderfull Works As also that of Aaron his Brother ch 4. and 6. IV. The Assurance which Moses received of his Success in this Undertaking ch 6. V. The Wonders which were wrought and the Plagues inflicted upon Pharaoh King of Egypt and upon his People to induce them to believe the Divine Mission of Moses and Aaron and to let the Israelites go out of Egypt And we have a particular account of these wonderfull Works to the end of the Eleventh Chapter These wonderfull Works deserve a special Consideration They were wrought to procure a belief of the over-ruling Power of the God of Israel and that Moses and Aaron were sent by him The Works themselves were above the Power of a Creature And though the Sorcerers and Magicians of Egypt were able in some measure to imitate some of the first Works of Moses ch 7. yet were they forced quickly to give out and to own the unimitable Power of God And when they inflicted Evils they were destitute of Power to remove those Inflictions ch 8. v. 7 8. The Magicians of Egypt could not produce so much as Lice out of the Dust of the Earth ch 8.18 't was above their Power and for the swarm of Flies which were sent upon the Egyptians the place where the Israelites dwelt was by the wonderfull Providence of God exempted from them ch 8.22 Thus it was also in the Murrain it did light on the Cattel of the Egyptians but not upon that which belonged to the Israelites ch 9. The Plague of Boyls succeeded which was so grievous upon the Egyptians that the Magicians themselves could not stand before Moses v. 11. The Hail with Thunder and Fire came next but this grievous Plague fell upon the Egyptians onely the Israelites felt it not v. 26. A grievous Plague from the Locusts followed and that was followed by a thick Darkness which affected the Egyptians only the Israelites enjoying Light as before And lastly the Death of the First-born which sell onely on those of the Egyptians and from which the Israelites were excused ch 11. After this wonderfull manner did God think fit to effect and bring to pass the Departure of the Israelites out of Egypt This was a most signal Blessing to that People and never to be forgotten And as God thought fit by Moses to transmit to Posterity the History of the Facts relating to this Matter so he appointed a Festival and a very Solemn one to be annually kept by the Israelites in remembrance of it and appointed the Month in which this Departure happened to be for the future observed as the first of at least the Ecclesiastical year The Israelites are often put in mind by Moses and the succeeding Prophets of this Deliverance and it is made use of as an Inducement to their Obedience to the Law given them afterwards Exod. 20.2 And that they might not forget this Deliverance they were afterwards obliged to keep up the remembrance of it once every Week on their Sabbath-day Deut. 5.15 And besides all this to perpetuate the memory of this Deliverance the first-born of Man and Beast are to be separated or set apart Exod. 13. Of this Departure of the Israelites out of Egypt and of the Solemn Festival appointed for a Memorial of it viz. The Passover and Feast of Unleavened-bread and the rites thereunto belonging we have an account ch 12. and 13. When the Israelites Went from Egypt God took care of them and directed their Journies by a certain Pillar which in the Day appeared as a Cloud and as Fire in the Night ch 13.21 22. And whereas the Egyptians were so hardy as to pursue them God miraculously saves the Israelites by giving them a passage through the Red-Sea and drowns the Egyptians which followed them ch 14. In memory whereof we have a Solemn Hymn or Song of Moses ch 15. I will now represent the Facts that were consequent upon this Deliverance The bitter Waters of Marah were made sweet by Moses ch 15.25 And when the People wanted Bread they were miraculously supplied with Quails and Manna ch 16. And when they wanted Water they are supplied with it from a Rock in Horeb. When they were assaulted by Amalek they prevailed whiles Moses held up his hands in memory of which Victory an Altar is built ch 17. Next follows an account of the coming of Jethro of his Reception by Moses and the Counsel he gave him ch 18. And now were the Israelites come to the Wilderness in Sinai in the third Month after they were come from Egypt And here God gives them the Law and that he does in a manner that was very solemn and awfull Moses goes up into a Mountain where God instructs him what he should say to the Israelites the better to prepare them for receiving the Law and returns their answer unto God He is sent down to them again to sanctify them and warn them And God sent him a third time with a charge to them to keep their distance The Mountain was in a smoke and God descended on it in Fire and it quaked and the People were terrified chap. 19. This was a fit time and place for them to receive their Law They had a little before received many proofs of the Power of God and of his care of them which might dispose them to Obedience to God's Law They were in a Wilderness a place of recess and leisure They were freed from the Slavery of Egypt and from the Idolatrous Examples of the Egyptians On the other hand they were short of Canaan and so not diverted by Wars with that People nor acquainted with their filthy Practices and idolatrous Rites nor rendred dull and stupid by the Plenty and Prosperities of that Land And therefore was this a most fit season for this Solemnity 'T was God's great care that his People should neither imitate the People of Egypt whence they came nor of Canaan whither they were going This he told them elsewhere by Moses After the doings of the Land of Egypt wherein ye dwelt and after the doings of the Land of Canaan whither I bring you shall ye not do neither shall ye walk in their Ordinances Levit. 18.3 To have given this Law in Egypt might have been too soon and to have done it when they were possessed of Canaan might have been too late Here they are placed between both intirely delivered from Egypt and unacquainted with Canaan and consequently the better disposed to receive God's Law And whereas they had been miraculously brought out of Egypt
learn that God did make his Promise good 5. Seventy souls i. e. Seventy persons V. Gen. 46.26 27. The Greek have seventy five adding five persons of Joseph's Family Gen. 46.20 which number of the Greek it being a Translation of great fame and note is supposed to be followed also Act. 7.14 If St. Stephen had in that place followed the Version here he might have been defended for so doing in his Speech to the Jews but this is but supposed Another and more clear account may be given of the number of seventy five mentioned Act. 7.14 which the Reader may justly expect in its proper place It will be sufficient at present to observe That St. Stephen's design and his words too are very different from that of Moses here and Gen. 46. Moses gives account of Jacob and his Seed onely Gen. 46. v. 6 7 8 26. with Exod. 1. v. 5 6. but Stephen mentions those onely whom Joseph called into Egypt Joseph and his two Sons belong not to Stephen's number nor to his design they being in Egypt already In a word Moses reckons Jacob and his Seed or those that came out of his Loins Stephen mentions Jacob and his Kindred which takes in the Wives of Jacob's Sons See Gen. 45.10 11. with v. 5. and Joseph Antiqu Book 2. ch 3. For Joseph c. These words seem to refer to v. 4. Joseph is not numbred though he belong to the number he being before hand in Egypt And accordingly in the Greek we find these words at the close of the fourth Verse and immediately before those words where our English begin the fifth Verse 7. Was filled In the space of two hundred years and upwards the seventy increased to about six hundred thousand Men Exod. 12.37 a thing not at all incredible for supposing but fifty Men that should beget Children and that not till they arrived at twenty years of age and allow them three Sons a-piece yet in the space of two hundred years the whole sum would amount to 2952450 whence it is evident that the number mentioned Exod. 12.37 is not to be wondered at it speaking onely the Divine Blessing and Veracity 8. A new king Of a new House and Family perhaps Joseph Antiq. l. 2. c. 5. Knew not i. e. He did not consider and regard what Joseph had done Hos 2.8 9. He said The King of Egypt's pretences for his oppressing the Israelites were I. Their great Number v. 9. II. Their joining with the Enemies of Egypt if War should happen v. 10. III. Lest they should go out of Egypt when they pleased v. 10. 12. The more they multiplied So vain a thing it is to endeavour to make void God's Counsel Prov. 19.21 13. Rigor Without Mercy Hence Egypt is called An House of Bondage Exod. 20.2 15. Midwives of which c. These 't is like were principal Midwives the command being given also to the rest 17. Feared God i. e. They more feared God's displeasure than they did Pharaoh's 19. Lively They have great vigor and are skilfull See the Chaldee and Vulgar Latin 20. Dealt well They that fear God receive many blessings in this life Eccles 8.12 13. 21. He made them houses Them i. e. the Israelites and not the Midwives it being of the Masculine Gender in the Hebrew That is God by this means multiplyed and increased the Israelites which is expressed by making them Houses See Gen. 16.2 Ruth 4.11 Ps 127.1 3. Gen. 30.3 2 Sam. 7.11 22. All his people Not leaving it to the care of the Midwives any longer CHAP. II. The ARGUMENT Moses is born and hidden and laid in the Flags Pharaoh's Daughter finds him and brings him up He kills an Egyptian reproves one of the Hebrews and fleeth into Midian marrieth Zipporah by whom he had Gershom God regards the Misery of the Hebrews 1. AND there went a man of the house of Levi and took to wife a daughter of Levi. 2. And the woman conceived and bare a son and when she saw him that he was a goodly child she hid him three mouths 3. And when she could not longer hide him she took for him an ark of bulrushes and daubed it with slime and with pitch and put the child therein and she laid it in the flags by the river's brink 4. And his sister stood afar off to wit what would be done to him 5. And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash her self at the river and her maidens walked along by the river's side and when she saw the ark among the flags she sent her maid to fetch it 6. And when she had opened it she saw the child and behold the babe wept And she had compassion on him and said This is one of the Hebrews children 7. Then said his sister to Pharaoh's daughter Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew women that she may nurse the child for thee 8. And Pharaoh's daughter said unto her Go. And the maid went and called the child's mother 9. And Pharaoh's daughter said unto her Take this child away and nurse it for me and I will give thee thy wages And the woman took the child and nursed it 10. And the child grew and she brought him unto Pharaoh's daughter and he became her son And she called his name Moses and she said Because I drew him out of the water 11. And it came to pass in those days when Moses was grown that he went out unto his brethren and looked on their burthens and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew one of his brethren 12. And he looked this way and that way and when he saw that there was no man he slew the Egyptian and hid him in the sand 13. And when he went out the second day behold two men of the Hebrews strove together and he said to him that did the wrong Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow 14. And he said Who made thee a prince and a judge over us intendest thou to kill me as thou killedst the Egyptian And Moses feared and said Surely this thing is known 15. Now when Pharaoh heard this thing he sought to slay Moses But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh and dwelt in the land of Midian and he sat down by a well 16. Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters and they came and drew water and filled the troughs to water their father's flock 17. And the shepherds came and drove them away but Moses stood up and helped them and watered their flock 18. And when they came to Reuel their father he said How is it that you are come so soon to day 19. And they said An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds and also drew water enough for us and watered the flock 20. And he said unto his daughters And where is he why is it that ye have left the man Call him that he may eat bread 21. And Moses was content to dwell with the man and he gave Moses
unto him The LORD God of the Hebrews hath met with us and now let us go we beseech thee three days journey into the wilderness that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God 19. And I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go no not by a mighty hand 20. And I will stretch out my hand and smite Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in the midst thereof and after that he will let you go 21. And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians and it shall come to pass that when ye go ye shall not go empty 22. But every woman shall borrow of her neighbour and of her that sojourneth in her house jewels of silver and jewels of gold and â—eâ—ment and ye shall put them upon your sons and upon your daughters and ye shall spoil the Egyptians 1. THE Priest of Midian He succeeded his Father See ch 2.16 Who it is probable was now dead this being forty years after Moses came to Midian Act. 7.30 Back-side of the desart i. e. A great way into the desart See the Vulgar Latin Mountain of God i. e. The Mountain where the glory of God was revealed says the Chaldee Horeb So called probably from the dryness of the place Deut. 8.15 The same with Sinai See Act. 7.30 2. In a flame See Act. 7.30 Bush From the Hebrew word Sinai seems to have been called Not consumed This was a fit representation of the condition of the Israelites in Egypt who were greatly afflicted but not consumed there 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Phil. Jud. Vit. Mosis l. 1. i. e. The burning Bush was a Symbol or Representation of the oppressed and the flaming Fire of the oppressors That what was burning was not consumed did portend says the same Author that those who were afflicted by the violence of their enemies should not perish and that the attempt of their enemies should be frustrated and that the present troubles of the afflicted should have a good end 3. Not burnt i. e. Not burnt up 4. Moses Moses To raise his attention 5. Put off thy shooes Vid. Josh 5.17 Act. 7.33 As a token of humility and reverence 2 Sam. 15.30 Isa 20.2 4. Hence the Jews in after-times thought themselves obliged to put off their Shooes when they went into the Sanctuary Maimon Beth Hab-bechirah c. 7. vid. Eccles 5.1 Holy ground By God's appearing there it was separated from common use and so was to be esteemed vid. 2 Pet. 1.18 6. I am the God of c. Matt. 22.32 Act. 7.32 To look upon God i. e. To look upon that glorious appearance by which God manifested himself See the Chaldee 8. And a large Not very large in it self but yet large in respect to their dwelling in Goshen and big enough to receive all the Israelites Milk and honey A Land of great plenty See Deut. 8.7 8 9. 12. This shall be a token Or this i. e. the appearance in the Bush v. 2. is a token unto thee that I have sent thee Vpon this mountain This was verified afterward at the giving of the Law And this was a farther token that Moses was sent by God Isa 7.14 13. What is his name The Israelites are supposed to inquire more particularly of the Nature of that God who appeared to and sent Moses God and his Name are one and the Name of God is put for God himself 14. I AM THAT I AM i. e. He whose Being is from himself necessary and indefectible Who was and is and will be Revel 16.5 This imports God's Essence and that whereas the Egyptian Gods were but Creatures the God of Israel was the eternal Being That they may learn the difference says one of the Ancients between that which is and that which is not And that no Name can properly be given to me to whom alone it appertains to be Phil. Jud. de Vit. Mos l. 1. An Idol is nothing the Egyptian Deities were but Creatures the God of Israel the eternal Being I AM It may be rendred as may the former words I will be As God is so He will be And this belongs to him alone no Creature can say I will be 15. My memorial Whereby I will be mentioned Hos 12.5 Psal 135.13 18. Three days journey i. e. To Horeb v. 12. Pharaoh was to be tried with this request 19. No not by a mighty hand Or but by a strong hand And to this sense the words are rendred by the Vulgar Latin and the LXII See v. 20. 22. Borrow Or ask and beg For so the Hebrew word signifies Judg. 8.24 And then the Jewels c. were given rather than lent And this speaks the great kindness of the Egyptians to the Israelites at their departure according to what is said v. 20. I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians And thus Josephus relates it who says That they honoured the Hebrews with gifts Some to hasten their departure and others upon the account of their neighbourly conversation vid. ch 11.2 and 12.35 Spoil Or Empty as the Chaldee hath it i. e. You shall leave them in a condition like those that are spoiled The Egyptians Or Egypt See the Notes on ch 11.2 CHAP. IV. The ARGUMENT Moses is enabled to do marvellous Works to gain belief that he is sent by God He pleads his want of Eloquence God promiseth his assistance and appoints Aaron also as his Assistant Moses leaves Jethro and with his Wife and Sons makes towards Egypt He is instructed how to apply to Pharaoh for the deliverance of his People His Son is circumcised He meeteth Aaron The Israelites give them credence and own the good Providence of God appearing toward their deliverance 1. AND Moses answered and said But behold they will not believe me nor hearken unto my voice for they will say The LORD hath not appeared unto thee 2. And the LORD said unto him What is that in thine hand And he said A rod. 3. And he said Cast it on the ground and he cast it on the ground and it became a serpent and Moses fled from before it 4. And the LORD said unto Moses Put forth thine hand and take it by the tail And he put forth his hand and caught it and it became a rod in his hand 5. That they may believe that the LORD God of their fathers the God of Abraham the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob hath appeared unto thee 6. And the LORD said furthermore unto him Put now thine hand into thy bosom and he put his hand into his bosom and when he took it out behold his hand was leprous as snow 7. And he said Put thine hand into thy bosom again and he put his hand into his bosom again and plucked it out of his bosom and behold it was turned again as his other flesh 8. And it shall come to pass if they will not believe thee neither
hearken to the voice of the first sign that they will believe the voice of the latter sign 9. And it shall come to pass if they will not believe also these two signs neither hearken unto thy voice that thou shalt take of the water of the river and pour it upon the dry-land and the water which thou takest out of the river shall become blood upon the dry-land 10. And Moses said unto the LORD O my Lord I am not eloquent neither heretofore nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant but I am slow of speech and of a slow tongue 11. And the LORD said unto him Who hath made man's mouth or who maketh the dumb or deaf or the seeing or the blind have not I the LORD 12. Now therefore go and I will be with thy mouth and teach thee what thou shalt say 13. And he said O my Lord send I pray thee by the hand of him whom thou wilt send 14. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses and he said Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother I know that he can speak well And also behold he cometh forth to meet thee and when he seeth thee he will be glad in his heart 15. And thou shalt speak unto him and put words in his mouth and I will be with thy mouth and with his mouth and will teach you what ye shall do 16. And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people and he shall be even he shall be to thee in stead of a mouth and thou shalt be to him in stead of God 17. And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand wherewith thou shalt do signs 18. And Moses went and returned to Jethro his father-in-law and said unto him Let me go I pray thee and return unto my brethren which are in Egypt and see whether they be yet alive And Jethro said to Moses Go in peace 19. And the LORD said unto Moses in Midian Go return into Egypt for all the men are dead which sought thy life 20. And Moses took his wife and his sons and set them upon an ass and he returned to the land of Egypt And Moses took the rod of God in his hand 21. And the LORD said unto Moses When thou goest to return into Egypt see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh which I have put in thine hand but I will harden his heart that he shall not let the people go 22. And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh Thus saith the LORD Israel is my son even my first-born 23. And I say unto thee Let my son go that he may serve me and if thou refuse to let him go behold I will slay thy son even thy first-born 24. And it came to pass by the way in the inn that the LORD met him and sought to kill him 25. Then Zipporah took a sharp stone and cut off the fore-skin of her son and cast it at his feet and said Surely a bloudy husband art thou to me 26. So he let him go then she said A bloudy husband thou art because of the circumcision 27. And the LORD said to Aaron Go into the wilderness to meet Moses And he went and met him in the mount of God and kissed him 28. And Moses told Aaron all the words of the LORD who had sent him and all the signs which he had commanded him 29. And Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel 30. And Aaron spake all the words which the LORD had spoken unto Moses and did the signs in the sight of the people 31. And the people believed and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel and that he had looked upon their affliction then they bowed their heads and worshipped 1. THey will not believe Moses might well suppose that the Israelites would not presently and without a sign give him credit See v. 9. and compare it with ch 3.18 2. What is that in thine hand These words make way for that which follows 4. It became a rod in his hand As this sign was designed to gain the Israelites belief v. 5. so it was very instructive also to them The turning of a rod or staff into a Serpent did fitly represent their past and their present Condition under Pharaoh And the turning the Serpent into a Rod or Staff was a fair Symbol of that deliverance from their present Bondage which was promised to them Besides Moses is confirmed and encouraged in his Office which he would have declined as he fled from the Serpent by his taking the Serpent by the Tail and turning it into a Staff 5. That they may be believe c. These words acquaint us with the great End of this Sign See John 20.31 6. As snow This was afterward reputed a sign of a most dangerous sort of Leprosie see Numb 12.10 12. and therefore a fit Symbol of the calamitous condition of the Israelites at this time 7. As his other flesh And this might fairly put them in mind that their present condition was not without hope 8. That they will believe Or that they may believe For these words do not so much fore-tell the Event see v. 9. as they do the design and purpose of these Signs 9. Shall become Heb. Shall be and shall be i. e. It shall certainly be so 10. Eloquent Heb. A man of words i. e. He was not of a ready speech or utterance Heretofore Heb. Since yesterday nor since the third day An usual form of speech among the Hebrews this is by which they describe the time past Nor since thou hast spoken c. i. e. This want of utterance hath not been removed since thou hast given me Commission to go into Egypt 12. With thy mouth See Matth. 10.19 Mark 13.11 Luke 12.11 13. Wilt send Or shouldest send Many have thought that Moses means the Messias whom God would send Send by the hand of him who is fit to be sent says the Chaldee 16. Thou shalt be to him instead of God Vid. Ch. 7. 1. Thou shalt command him and make my Will known to him 20. Sons His two Sons Gershom and Eliezer An ass The Greek renders it in the Plural the Enallage of Number is very usual with the Sacred Writers The rod of God i. e. The Rod or Staff which God commanded him to take v. 17. and with which he was to work Signs 21. I will harden c. i. e. I will after he hath hardened his own heart leave him to his stubbornness and impenitence See ch 9.34 22. First-born i. e. Beloved and favoured more than the other Nations as the first-born 24. The LORD met him The Angel of the Lord say the Greek and Chaldee Sought to kill him i. e. Inflicted probably some disease upon him 25. Sharp stone Or knife which according to the Custom then was made of a sharpened stone vid. Josh 5.2 Cast it Heb. Made it touch His feet i. e. The
Child 's whom she circumcised Surely a bloody Husband art thou to me What we translate Husband is observed to signifie Son-in-law And these words are with great probability supposed to express that her Son was now circumcised and to be referred to her Son not to Moses who is called a bloudy Son because of the Circumcision By Circumcision persons were admitted into Covenant and received into the Church and Family of the true God And he that was thus received might very fitly be called by this Name which signifies one received into a Family by Marriage He was henceforth a Son of God and obliged to obey the Laws of this Church or Family Gal. 5.3 compare Josh 5.9 See Mr. Mede's Disc on the place 30. Spake Vid. v. 16. And did i. e. Moses did see v. 17. 31. Bowed Out of Reverence and Thankfulness to God CHAP. V. The ARGUMENT Pharaoh refuseth to let the Israelites go out of Egypt instead of that does encrease their task and refuseth to hear their just Complaints They thereupon apply themselves to Moses and Aaron and Moses represents their case to God 1. AND afterwards Moses and Aaron went in and told Pharaoh Thus saith the LORD God of Israel Let my people go that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness 2. And Pharaoh said Who is the LORD that I should obey his voice to let Israel go I know not the LORD neither will I let Israel go 3. And they said The God of the Hebrews hath met with us let us go we pray thee three days journey into the desart and sacrifice unto the LORD our God lest he fall upon us with pestilence or with the sword 4. And the king of Egypt said unto them Wherefore do ye Moses and Aaron let the people from their works get you unto your burdens 5. And Pharaoh said Behold the people of the land now are many and you make them rest from their burdens 6. And Pharaoh commanded the same day the task-masters of the people and their officers saying 7. Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick as heretofore let them go and gather straw for themselves 8. And the tale of the bricks which they did make heretofore you shall lay upon them you shall not diminish ought thereof for they be idle therefore they cry saying Let us go and sacrifice to our God 9. Let there more work be laid upon the men that they may labor therein and let them not regard vain words 10. And the task-masters of the people went out and their officers and they spake to the people saying Thus saith Pharaoh I will not give you straw 11. Go ye get you straw where you can find it yet not ought of your work shall be diminished 12. So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble in stead of straw 13. And the task-masters hasted them saying Fulfill your works your daily tasks as when there was straw 14. And the officers of the children of Israel which Pharaoh's task-masters had set over them were beaten and demanded Wherefore have ye not fulfilled your task in making brick both yesterday and to day as heretofore 15. Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried unto Pharaoh saying Wherefore dealest thou thus with thy servants 16 There is no straw given unto thy servants and they say to us Make brick and behold thy servants are beaten but the fault is in thine own people 17. But he said Ye are idle ye are idle therefore ye say Let us go and do sacrifice to the LORD 18. Go therefore now and work for there shall no straw be given you yet shall ye deliver the tale of bricks 19. And the officers of the children of Israel did see that they were in evil case after it was said Ye shall not minish ought from your bricks of your daily task 20. And they met Moses and Aaron who stood in the way as they came forth from Pharaoh 21. And they said unto them The LORD look upon you and judge because you have made our savour to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of his servants to put a sword in their hands to slay us 22. And Moses returned unto the LORD and said Lord wherefore hast thou so evil intreated this people why is it that thou hast sent me 23. For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name he hath done evil unto this people neither hast thou delivered thy people at all 1. GO Viz. Out of Egypt See ch 4.23 That they may hold a feast unto me i. e. A Religious feast Let my Son go that he may serve me Ch. 4.23 Sacrifice was a considerable part of this Service v. 3. In the Wilderness The Wilderness was a convenient place for the Service and Worship of God which requires great attention and abstraction The Labors of Egypt and the Wars and Conquests of Canaan could not but be in great measure an hindrance to them And Philo brings in Moses and Aaron saying thus to Pharaoh viz. That they must in the Wilderness perform their sacred Rites which were different from those of other Men and that also after such a way and manner as required recess because of the different usages in this Divine Worship from what was elsewhere practised or allowed De vit Mos 2. Who is the LORD c. The Name of the Lord is not revealed unto me says the Chaldee See ch 3.19 3. The God of the Hebrews hath met with us Vid. Ch. 3.18 The God who wrought great Deliverances for the Hebrews and particularly for Abraham Isaac and Jacob who were of that Race and is therefore able to save his Servants Lest he fall upon us c. Which would prove a loss to Pharaoh 4. Wherefore do ye c. Pharaoh takes no notice of what Moses and Aaron said v. 3. which contained Motives to persuade him to let them go 6. Task-masters of the people and their officers These Task-masters were Egyptians appointed to exact Labour from the Israelites But the Officers were Israelites who were by the Egyptians set over their Brethren and to see that they did their task and were to answer for their neglect See v. 14. and v. 19. These are rendred by the Greek by a word that signifies Scribes and were probably of the Elders of the People ch 3.18 7. Straw to make Brick This Straw was either to mingle with the Earth of which the Bricks were made or perhaps to burn the Brick with which latter is a sense not at all repugnant to the words used in the Hebrew 8. Therefore c. Their desire of going out of Egypt to serve God is by Pharaoh imputed to idleness both here and v. 17. Whereas in truth though the Worship of God require Abstraction from worldly Cares see the Note on v. 1. Yet he that serves and worships God as he ought to do is so far
from being idle that he is not onely employed in the main and greatest business but does it with all his Power and Might It requires the whole Man and the greatest Application that is possible 9. Let there more work c. Heb. Let the work be heavy upon the men 13. Your daily tasks Heb. A matter of a day in his day i. e. so much as is expected every day 14. The officers of the children of Israel who were Israelites See v. 6. 15. Vnto Pharaoh And not unto the Task-masters who were set over them upon a presumption that Pharaoh did not allow of their oppression and out of hopes that he would redress it 16. In thine own people i. e. In the Task-masters They do not here charge Pharaoh 21. To be abhorred Heb. To stink i. e. We are rendred vile in the sight of Pharaoh 22. Vnto the Lord Who was alone able to help them in their Calamity 23. Neither hast thou delivered thy people at all Hebr. Delivering thou hast not delivered CHAP. VI. The ARGUMENT God reneweth his Promise of delivering the Israelites out of Egypt Of the name JEHOVAH Moses is again commanded to go unto Pharaoh Of the Families of Reuben Simeon and Levi. 1. THEN the LORD said unto Moses Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh for with a strong hand shall he let them go and with a strong hand shall he drive them out of his land 2. And God spake unto Moses and said unto him I am the LORD 3. And I appeared unto Abraham unto Isaac and unto Jacob by the name of God Almighty but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them 4. And I have also established my covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan the land of their pilgrimage wherein they were strangers 5. And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel whom the Egyptians keep in bondage and I have remembred my covenant 6. Wherefore say unto the children of Israel I am the LORD and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians and I will rid you out of their bondage and I will redeem you with a stretched-out arm and with great judgments 7. And I will take you to me for a people and I will be to you a God and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians 8. And I will bring you in unto the land concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham to Isaac and to Jacob and I will give it you for an heritage I am the LORD 9. And Moses spake so unto the children of Israel but they hearkened not unto Moses for anguish of spirit and for cruel bondage 10. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 11. Go in speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt that he let the children of Israel go out of his land 12. And Moses spake before the LORD saying Behold the children of Israel have not hearkened unto me how then shall Pharaoh hear me who am of uncircumcised lips 13. And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron and gave them a charge unto the children of Israel and unto Pharaoh king of Egypt to bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt 14. These be the heads of their fathers houses The sons of Reuben the first-born of Israel Hanoch and Pallu Hezron and Carmi these be the families of Reuben 15. And the sons of Simeon Jemuel and Jamin and Ohad and Jachin and Zohar and Shaul the son of a Canaanitish woman these are the families of Simeon 16. And these are the names of the sons of Levi according to their generations Gershon and Kohath and Merari And the years of the life of Levi were an hundred thirty and seven years 17. The sons of Gershon Libni and Shimi according to their families 18. And the sons of Kohath Amram and Izhar and Hebron and Vzziel And the years of the life of Kohath were an hundred thirty and three years 19. And the sons of Merari Mahali and Mushi these are the families of Levi according to their generations 20. And Amram took him Jochebed his father's sister to wife and she bare him Aaron and Moses And the years of the life of Amram were an hundred and thirty and seven years 21. And the sons of Izhar Korah and Nepheg and Zichri 22. And the sons of Vzziel Mishael and Elzaphan and Zithri 23. And Aaron took him Elisheba daughter of Aminadab sister of Naashon to wife and she bare him Nadab and Abihu Eleazar and Ithamar 24. And the sons of Korah Assir and Elkanah and Abiasaph these are the families of the Korhites 25. And Eleazar Aaron's son took him one of the daughters of Pâ—tiel to wife and she bare him Phinehas these are the heads of the fathers of the Levites according to their families 26. These are that Aaron and Moses to whom the LORD said bring out the children of Israel from the land of Egypt according to their armies 27. These are they which spake to Pharaoh king of Egypt to bring out the children of Israel from Egypt these are that Moses and Aaron 28. And it came to pass on the day when the LORD spake unto Moses in the land of Egypt 29. That the LORD spake unto Moses saying I am the LORD speak thou unto Pharaoh king of Egypt all that I say unto thee 30. And Moses said before the LORD Behold I am of uncircumcised lips and how shall Pharaoh hearken unto me 1. WITH a strong hand i. e. Being thereunto compelled with severe Judgments V. c. 3. v. 19 20. 3. God Almighty Or God All-sufficient V. Gen. 17.1 God gave unto Abraham Isaac and Jacob great proofs of his Almighty Power and many promises also of the Land of Canaan But by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them It is not said That this name was not known to them See Gen. 22.14 Nor can the words be understood of the Letters of the Name but it is by my name JEHOVAH was I not known c. By this name must be understood that which it doth signifie JEHOVAH denotes not onely God's Eternal Being but his giving of Being to other things and especially the performing his Promise Now Abraham Isaac and Jacob had received Promises but enjoyed not the thing promised The time was now come in which God would bring to pass what he had promised and now they should know that he is the Lord V. Isa 49.23 c. 52.6 c. 60.16 The knowing him by his name JEHOVAH implies the receiving from him what he had promised before He is not called JEHOVAH till he had finished the Creation Gen. 2.4 The doing of that which He before decreed and promised speaks Him to be JEHOVAH See Exod. 20.2 This Interpretation agrees exactly with the Context For in the very next words God lets them know that he would make good his Promise which is expressed
do this thing in the land 6. And the LORD did that thing on the morrow and all the cattel of Egypt died but of the cattel of the children of Israel died not one 7. And Pharaoh sent and behold there was not one of the cattel of the Israelites dead And the heart of Pharaoh was hardned and he did not let the people go 8. And the LORD said unto Moses and unto Aaron Take to you handfulls of ashes of the furnace and let Moses sprinkle it towards the heaven in the sight of Pharaoh 9. And it shall become small dust in all the land of Egypt and shall be a boyl breaking forth with blains upon man and upon beast throughout all the land of Egypt 10. And they took ashes of the furnace and stood before Pharaoh and Moses sprinkled it up toward heaven and it became a boyl breaking forth with blains upon man and upon beast 11. And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boyl for the boyl was upon the magicians and upon all the Egyptians 12. And the LORD hardned the heart of Pharaoh and he hearkned not unto them as the LORD had spoken unto Moses 13. And the LORD said unto Moses Rise up early in the morning and stand before Pharaoh and say unto him Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews Let my people go that they may serve me 14. For I will at this time send all my plagues upon thine heart and upon thy servants and upon thy people that thou mayest know that there is none like me in all the earth 15. For now I will stretch out my hand that I may smite thee and thy people with pestilence and thou shalt be cut off from the earth 16. And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up for to shew in thee my power and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth 17. As yet exaltest thou thy self against my people that thou wilt not let them go 18. Behold to morrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even untill now 19. Send therefore now and gather thy cattel and all that thou hast in the field for upon every man and beast which shall be found in the field and shall 〈◊〉 it be brought home the hail shall come down upon them and they shall die 20. He that feared the word of the LORD amongst the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his cattel flee into the houses 21. And he that regardeth not the word of the LORD left his servants and his cattel in the field 22. And the LORD said unto Moses Stretch forth thine hand toward heaven that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt upon man and upon beast and upon every herb of the field throughout the land of Egypt 23. And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven and the LORD sent thunder and hail and the fire ran along upon the ground and the LORD rained hail upon the land of Egypt 24. So there was hail and fire mingled with the hail very grievous such as there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation 25. And the hail smote throughout all the land of Egypt all that was in the field both man and beast and the hail smote every herb of the field and brake every tree of the field 26. Onely in the land of Goshen where the children of Israel were was there no hail 27. And Pharaoh sent and called for Moses and Aaron and said unto them I have sinned this times the LORD is righteous and I and my people are wicked 28. Intreat the LORD for it is enough that there be no more mighty thundrings and hail and I will let you go and ye shall stay no longer 29. And Moses said unto him Assoon as I am gone out of the city I will spread abroad my hands unto the LORD and the thunder shall cease neither shall there be any more hail that thou mayest know how that the earth is the LORD's 30. But as for thee and thy servants I know that ye will not yet fear the LORD God 31. And the flax and the barley was smitten for the barley was in the ear and the flax was bolled 32. But the wheat and the rie were not smitten for they were not grown up 33. And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh and spread abroad his hands unto the LORD and the thunders and hail ceased and the rain was not poured upon the earth 34. And when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders were ceased he sinned yet more and hardned his heart he and his servants 35. And the heart of Pharaoh was hardned neither would he let the children of Israel go as the LORD had spoken by Moses 3. A very grievous murrain i. e. A great and general Mortality as appears from v. 6. What we render Murrain signifies the Pestilence when it is referred unto Men and is very frequently by the Greek rendered by a word which signifies Death 4 5. And the LORD c. This great Plague was accompanied with some circumstances which did render it more fit to work upon Pharaoh Viz. I. That the Israelites did not suffer by it which was an argument of God's particular care and providence v. 4. And II. That God set a time when it should happen which was an argument that it was God's work v. 5. 6. All the cattel i. e. All that was in the Field v. 3. 7. And Pharaoh sent c. And by this means he was assured of the truth of what is said v. 4. and therefore left without excuse for his Infidelity 10. And Moses sprinkled It is very probable that Aaron did so likewise it being said of them both that they took ashes A boyl See Rev. 16.2 11. Could not stand before Moses These Magicians at the first withstood Moses but now are not able to stand before him their folly being now manifest 2 Tim. 3.8 9. 12. And the LORD hardned This God is not said to have done till now after five Plagues were past and Pharaoh had hardened his own heart God left him to the wickedness of his own heart when he had sundry times hardened himself before As the LORD Ch. 4.21 14. All my plagues i. e. All that I have determined to inflict Thine heart Which shall be wounded with grief and fear 16. For this cause Rom. 9.17 Have I raised thee up Heb. Made thee stand i. e. I have preserved thee and kept thee alive notwithstanding the foregoing Plagues which have been inflicted He may be said to be raised up who is preserved alive when he was in danger of dying Jam. 5.15 Thou hast been kept or preserved so the Greek render it 18. Since the foundation thereof i. e. Since it became a nation v. 24. 19. Thy cattel Which escaped the
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
of good as that I should let your little ones go 11. For that you did desire Or if you desire that As the words may well be rendred q. d. If you sincerely persist in that desire 13. An east-wind The Greek render it a South-wind And it might possibly be a South-East Wind. See Numb 11.31 with Psal 78.26 14. Before them there were no such c. For their multitude and the hurt which they did there had not been the like nor should there be in the Land of Egypt What we read Joel 1.2 ch 2.2 is not repugnant to what is affirmed here 16. Called Heb. Hastned to call 17. This deaths This Plague of the Locusts which may well be called Death either because they killed Men as well as the Hail as is affirmed Wisd 16.9 or else because they did destroy the remaining supports of Life 19. Cast Heb. Fastned They were so cast that as to the event of things it was as if they had been fastned Red-sea In the Hebrew it is the Sea of Rush so called 't is probable from the Rushes or Flaggs that grew about it It was called the Red-sea because it bordered upon the Country of Edom which in the Hebrew Tongue signifies Red 1 King 9.26 Gen. 25.30 21. Even darkness which may be felt Heb. That one may feel darkness This we call Palpable Darkness and it proceeds from the thick Mists and Foggs of the Air. But the Hebrew word being derived from a word that signifies to feel or to remove the Chaldee renders it in the latter sense thus After the darkness of the night was gone intimating that the day should be turned into dark night 23. Neither rose any from his place i. e. Not to any considerable distance See ch 16.29 But all c. Wisd 18.1 25. Vs Heb. Into our hands 26. With what we must serve the LORD untill we come thither i. e. What Beasts we may be obliged to offer up till God give his Command 29. I will see thy face again no more Moses hence seems to have spoken the following words c. 11. where he foretells the death of the First-born before he went out of Pharaoh's presence CHAP. XI The ARGUMENT The Israelites are directed to ask of their Neighbours Jewels of Gold and Silver God gives them Favour with the Egyptians Pharaoh is threatened with the death of the First-born Moses leaves Pharaoh in great anger 1. AND the LORD said unto Moses Yet will I bring one plague more upon Pharaoh and upon Egypt afterwards he will let you go hence when he shall let you go he shall surely thrust you out hence altogether 2. Speak now in the ears of the people and let every man borrow of his neighbour and every woman of her neighbour jewels of silver and jewels of gold 3. And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt in the sight of Pharaoh's servants and in the sight of the people 4. And Moses said Thus saith the LORD About mid-night will I go out into the midst of Egypt 5. And all the first-born in the land of Egypt shall die from the first-born of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne even unto the first-born of the maid-servant that is behind the mill and all the first-born of beasts 6. And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt such as there was none like it nor shall be like it any more 7. But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue against man or beast that ye may know how that the LORD doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel 8. And all these thy servants shall come down unto me and bow down themselves unto me saying Get thee out and all the people that follow thee and after that I will go out and he went out from Pharaoh in a great anger 9. And the LORD said unto Moses Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt 10. And Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh and the LORD hardned Pharaoh's heart so that he would not let the children of Israel go out of his land 1. SAID Or had said As it may be rendred and is Gen. 12.1 See Exod. 10.29 and vers 8. of this Chapter Thrust you out Ch. 12.31 33. 2. Borrow Or Ask or Beg. What they received was a gift agreeably hereunto it is said The Lord gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians v. 3. The Greek and Latin render it to the same sense and Josephus tells us That the Egyptians honoured the Hebrews with Gifts partly to hasten their departure and partly upon the score of that familiarity which was between them as Neighbours Jos Antiq. l. 2. c. 5. See the Notes on ch 3. v. 22. Jewels Ch. 3.22 and 12.35 3. Moses Ecclus 45.1 4. About midnight Ch. 12.29 5. That sitteth upon his throne i. e. Who was to have sat upon the Throne of his Kingdom or to reign after him to which sense the Chaldee renders the words Behind the mill It was the custom to put Slaves to grind in a Mill. See Judg. 16.21 7. Move his tongue i. e. The Israelites were quiet and undisturbed Vid. Jos 10.21 8. That follow thee Heb. That is at thy feet That are with thee saith the Chaldee A great anger Heb. Heat of Anger CHAP. XII The ARGUMENT The beginning of the Year is changed The Passover instituted The Rites of this first Passover The Feast of Vnleavened-bread and the time of it The meaning of the Passover to be taught The First-born of the Egyptians slain The Egyptians hasten the Israelites out of Egypt They come to Succoth The time when they left Egypt Rules concerning the Passover 1. AND the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt saying 2. This month shall be unto you the beginning of months it shall be the first month of the year to you 3. Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel saying In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb according the house of their fathers a lamb for an house 4. And if the houshold be too little for the lamb let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb 5. Your lamb shall be without blemish a male of the first year ye shall take it out from the sheep or from the goats 6. And ye shall keep it up untill the fourteenth day of the same month and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening 7. And they shall take of the blood and strike it on the two side-posts and on the upper door-posts of the houses wherein they shall eat it 8. And they shall eat the
said unto Moses Stretch out thine hand over the sea that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians upon their chariots and upon their horse-men 27. And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared and the Egyptians fled against it and the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea 28. And the waters returned and covered the chariots and the horse-men and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them there remained not so much as one of them 29. But the children of Israel walked upon dry-land in the midst of the sea and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand and on their left 30. Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea-shore 31. And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians and the people feared the LORD and believed the LORD and his servant Moses 2. Pihahiroth Numb 33.7 This is the mouth or passage of Hiroth Vid. Numb 33.8 And it should seem from Josephus that Hiroth was a mountainous and steep place For he tells us that the Egyptians shut up the Hebrews that they could not escape between steep Mountains on the one hand and the Sea on the other Vid. Joseph Ant. l. 2. c. 6. Abravanel will have Pihahiroth to referr to a Village from whence the Red sea falls into a Chanâ—â—â— called Hiroth Be it as it will the Hebrews are in a strait Between Migdol and the Sea Migdol signifies a strong Fort. And this speaks the strait in which the Hebrews were having the Sea on one side and a strong Fort to receive their Enemies on the other Baal-zephon This seems to be the place of an Idol called Baal and Abravenel tells us it stood on the North-side of Migdol And then it might for that cause be called Zephon that word signifying the North. 3. Intangled They are perplexed 4. Honoured By the just destruction of the Egyptians Vid. Levit. 10.3 8. With an high hand Openly and boldly and in good order not like Fugitives ch 13.18 9. Egyptians Vid. Josh 24.6 1 Mac. 4.9 12. Is not this Ch. 6.9 13. And Moses said c. There is a Tradition among the Jews that the people in this great strait were divided into four several Sects and Opinions The first were for running into the Sea The second for returning into Egypt The third for fighting the Egyptians The fourth for lifting up their Voice and by their Shrieks and Out-cries confounding their Enemies And that Moses speaks to the People with respect to their divided Opinions To the first in these words Fear ye not stand still and see the Salvation of the Lord. To the second he said For the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day ye shall see them again no more for ever To the third The Lord shall fight for you To the fourth And ye shall hold your peace Vid. Targ. Jon. Hierosol in loc For the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day Or For whereas you have seen the Egyptians to day i. e. They should not see the Egyptians as they had seen them namely alive v. 30. See the Greek 15. Wherefore cryest thou unto me God reproves not his Prayer but directs him to the work he was to do He having heard his Prayer See the Chaldee 19. The Angel of the LORD See the Notes on ch 13.21 20. And it was c. It being but one and the same See ch 13.22 21. Divided Josh 4.23 Psal 114.3 22. The children Psal 78.13 1 Cor. 10.1 Heb. 11.29 25. That they drave them heavily Or And made them to go heavily 27. Overthrew Heb. Shook off God sent upon them Showers Thunder Lightning and Thunder-bolts says Josephus Vid. ch 15.10 Psal 77.17 18. 28. One Psal 106.11 31. Work Heb. Hand And his servant Moses They believed Moses as a Servant of God CHAP. XV. The ARGUMENT The Song of Moses Miriam and other Women express their joy with Timbrels and Dances The Israelites come to the Wilderness of Shur and want Water They murmur The Waters of Marah made sweet The Israelites come to Elim 1. THen sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD and spake saying I will sing unto the LORD for he hath triumphed gloriously the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea 2. The LORD is my strength and song and he is become my salvation he is my God and I will prepare him an habitation my father's God and I will exalt him 3. The LORD is a man of war the LORD is his name 4. Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea 5. The depths have covered them they sank into the bottom as a stone 6. Thy right hand O LORD is become glorious in power thy right hand O LORD hath dashed in pieces the enemy 7. And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee thou sentest forth thy wrath which consumed them as stubble 8. And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together the flouds stood upright as an heap and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea 9. The enemy said I will pursue I will overtake I will divide the spoil my lust shall be satisfied upon them I will draw my sword my hand shall destroy them 10. Thou didst blow with thy wind the sea covered them they sank as lead in the mighty waters 11. Who is like unto thee O LORD amongst the gods who is like thee glorious in holiness fearfull in praises doing wonders 12. Thou stretchedst out thy right hand the earth swallowed them 13. Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation 14. The people shall hear and be afraid sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina 15. Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed the mighty men of Moab trembling shall take hold upon them all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away 16. Fear and dread shall fall upon them by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone till thy people pass over O LORD till the people pass over which thou hast purchased 17. Thou shalt bring them in and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance in the place O LORD which thou hast made for thee to dwell in in the sanctuary O LORD which thy hands have established 18. The LORD shall reign for ever and ever 19. For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea and the LORD brought again the waters of the sea upon them but the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea 20. And Miriam the prophetess the sister of
for the Israelites Jethro rejoiceth at it and adviseth Moses to teach the People Laws and to appoint Judges among the People Moses follows the Advice of Jethro who afterward departed from him 1. WHEN Jethro the priest of Midian Moses's father-in-law heard of all that God had done for Moses and for Israel his people and that the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt 2. Then Jethro Moses's father-in-law took Zipporah Moses's wife after he had sent her back 3. And her two sons of which the name of the one was Gershom for he said I have been an alien in a strange land 4. And the name of the other was Eliezer for the God of my father said he was my help and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh 5. And Jethro Moses's father-in-law came with his sons and his wife unto Moses into the wilderness where he encamped at the mount of God 6. And he said unto Moses I thy father-in-law Jethro am come unto thee and thy wife and her two sons with her 7. And Moses went out to meet his father-in-law and did obeisance and kissed him and they asked each other of their welfare and they came into the tent 8. And Moses told his father-in-law all that the LORD had done unto Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel's sake and all the travail that had come upon them by the way and how the LORD delivered them 9. And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the LORD had done to Israel whom he had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians 10. And Jethro said Blessed be the LORD who hath delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of Pharaoh who hath delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians 11. Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly he was above them 12. And Jethro Moses's father-in-law took a burnt-offering and sacrifices for God And Aaron came and all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses's father-in-law before God 13. And it came to pass on the morrow that Moses sat to judge the people and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening 14. And when Moses's father-in-law saw all that be did to the people he said What is this thing that thou doest to the people Why sittest thou thy self alone and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even 15. And Moses said unto his father-in-law Because the people come unto me to enquire of God 16. When they have a matter they come unto me and I judge between one and another and I do make them know the statutes of God and his laws 17. And Moses's father-in-law said unto him The thing that thou doest is not good 18. Thou wilt surely wear away both thou and this people that is with thee for this thing is too heavy for thee thou art not able to perform it thy self alone 19. Hearken now unto my voice I will give thee counsel and God shall be with thee be thou for the people to Godward that thou mayest bring the causes unto God 20. And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk and the work that they must do 21. Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men such as fear God men of truth hating covetousness and place such ever them to be rulers of thousands and rulers of hundreds rulers of fifties and rulers of tens 22. And let them judge the people at all seasons and it shall be that every great matter they shall bring unto thee but every small matter they shall judge so shall it be easier for thy self and they shall bear the burden with thee 23. If thou shalt do this thing and God command thee so then thou shalt be able to endure and all this people shall also go to their place in peace 24. So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said 25. And Moses chose able men out of all Israel and made them heads over the people rulers of thousands rulers of hundreds rulers of fifties and rulers of tens 26. And they judged the people at all seasons the hard causes they brought unto Moses but every small matter they judged themselves 27. And Moses let his father-in-law depart and he went his way into his own land 1. JEthro Vid. Chap. 2.16 2. After he had sent her back That is After Moses had sent her back from the Inn when he was going into Egypt Vid. Chap. 4.24 25. 3. Name Ch. 2.22 Gershom That is A stranger there 4. Eliezer That is My God is an help 5. At the mount of God The Mountain on which the glory of God was revealed says the Chaldee This was Horeb where God gave his Law Exod. 3.1 Deut. 5.2 6. He said He sent Messengers that in his name told Moses of his coming Vid. Matth. 8.5 compared with Luk. 7.3 7. Welfare Heb. Peace 8. Come upon them Heb. Found them 9. Hand i. e. The Dominion or Tyranny as the Chaldee hath it 11. For in the thing c. Ch. 1.10 16 22. and 5.7 and 14.18 The Egyptians justly suffered for their Pride and Arrogance and God did defeat them in their Designs and inflicted on them that very evil which they designed to afflict the Israelites with Compare ch 1.22 with ch 22.29 and ch 14.28 12. Sacrifices i. e. Other Sacrifices for no man might eat of the Burnt-offering it being intirely offered up Lev. 1.9 whereas in Peace-offerings the Priest and People had their share Lev. 7.14 Deut. 27.7 Before God Before the glory of God appearing in the Cloud and possibly before the Tabernacle For there are those that think that this passage of Jethro's coming to Moses related in this Chapter did happen in the following year after the Law was given and the Tabernacle erected And that Opinion is grounded upon what we read v. 12. and v. 16. compared with Deut. 1.9 Numb 10.29 30. 15. To enquire of God i. e. To enquire of the mind of God in things which were doubtfull This they did by consulting his Servant and Prophet 16. One and another Heb. A man and his fellow 18. Thou wilt surely wear away Heb. Fading thou wilt fade Thou art not c. Deut. 1.9 19. To God-ward Seeking instruction from the presence of God says the Chaldee This Counsel Moses followed Num. 15.34 35. and ch 27.5 21. Hating covetousness Or Hating gain and free from the love of riches 26. At all seasons i. e. At all occasions and times when they were not forbid by some other superior Law whereby they were obliged to attend upon God's more immediate worship CHAP. XIX The ARGUMENT The Israelites come to Sinai Moses goes up into the Mount and receives a Message to the People which he delivers and returns their Answer unto God He is commanded to Sanctifie the People
and set them Bounds which he accordingly does God descends upon the Mount and sends Moses down to restrain the Priests and People from coming too near 1. IN the third month when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai 2. For they were departed from Rephidim and were come to the desart of Sinai and had pitched in the wilderness and there Israel camped before the mount 3. And Moses went up unto God and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain saying Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob and tell the children of Israel 4. Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians and how I bare you on eagles wings and brought you unto my self 5. Now therefore if ye will obey my voice indeed and keep my covenant then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people for all the earth is mine 6. And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests and an holy nation These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel 7. And Moses came and called for the elders of the people and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him 8. And all the people answered together and said All that the LORD hath spoken we will do And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD 9. And the LORD said unto Moses Lo I come unto thee in a thick cloud that the people may hear when I speak with thee and believe thee for ever And Moses told the words of the peole unto the LORD 10. And the LORD said unto Moses Go unto the people and sanctifie them to day and to morrow and let them wash their clothes 11. And be ready against the third day for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai 12. And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about saying Take heed to your selves that ye go not up into the mount or touch the border of it whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death 13. There shall not an hand touch it but he shall surely be stoned or shot through whether it be beast or man it shall not live when the trumpet soundeth long they shall come up to the mount 14. And Moses went down from the mount unto the people and sanctified the people and they washed their clothes 15. And he said unto the people Be ready against the third day come not at your wives 16. And it came to pass on the third day in the morning that there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud upon the mount and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud so that all the people that was in the camp trembled 17. And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God and they stood at the nether part of the mount 18. And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke because the LORD descended upon it in fire and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace and the whole mount quaked greatly 19. And when the voice of the trumpet founded long and waxed louder and louder Moses spake and God answered him by a voice 20. And the LORD came down upon mount Sinai on the top of the mount and the LORD called Moses up to the top of the mount and Moses went up 21. And the LORD said unto Moses Go down charge the people lest they break through unto the LORD to gaze and many of them perish 22. And let the priests also which come near unto the LORD sanctifie themselves lest the LORD break forth upon them 23. And Moses said unto the LORD The people cannot come up to mount Sinai for thou chargedst us saying Set bounds about the mount and sanctifie it 24. And the LORD said unto him Away get thee down and thou shalt come up thou and Aaron with thee but let not the priests and the people break through to come up unto the LORD lest he break forth upon them 25. So Moses went down unto the people and spake unto them 1. THE same day It hath been thought that by the same day is meant the third day of the month as this was the third month of the year But that word which we translate month signifies sometimes no more but the New-moon or first day of the month Num. 29.6 1 Sam. 20.24 27. And in that sense the same day signifies the first day of the month According to this account it was fifty days from the Israelites eating the Passover in Egypt to the giving of the Law which was done on the third day v. 11. For on the fourteenth day of the first month was that Passover eaten From that time reckoning inclusively the first and last day was to the third of this third month just fifty days 3. Moses Act. 7.38 Went up unto God i. e. He went up to the Mount where the Glory of God appeared 4. Ye have seen Deut. 29.2 On Eagles wings Deut. 32.11 12. This speaks the great care of God and the sure defence which the Israelites had thereby received Vid. Revel 12.14 Vnto my self i. e. To the place where I appear to you and am ready to give you my Laws 5. Now Deut. 5.2 All the Earth Deut. 10.14 Psal 24.1 The greater was the favour of God to the Israelites when he made choice of them for his peculiar People 6. A Kingdom of Priests 1 Pet. 2.9 Rev. 1.6 Not a profane State but such as shall worship God according to his Will and be thereupon exalted by him to great Dignity Ye shall be Kings and Priests See the Chaldee and Rev. 5.10 8. All Ch. 24.3 7. Deut. 5.27 and 26.17 9. I come unto thee i. e. I will appear unto thee after a glorious manner Told Or He had told See v. 8. 10. Sanctifie them i. e. Set them a-part and let them abstain from all evil and from every impurity And as a token of their being sanctified inwardly they were obliged also to wash their clothes 11. The third day Vid. Notes on v. 1. On this day the Law was given called a fiery Law Deut. 33.3 And this day was the day of Pentecost being fifty days after the Passover on which day the fiery Tongues were bestowed Act. 2. Will come down Or will reveal himself by a glorious Appearance 12. Set bounds Such bounds and limits as they might not pass lest for their curiosity and profaneness they die vid. 1 Sam. 6.19 Whosoever Heb. 12.20 13. Trumpet Or Cornet Soundeth long Or when it hath sounded long The Greek understand it of that time when the Trumpet ceased They shall come up to the mount The People shall come nearer at least to the foot of the Mount and Moses and Aaron and his Sons and the Elders of Israel shall go up into the Mount vid. ch 24.9 15. Wives 1 Sam. 21.4 Joel
names of other Gods 14. Three times Deut. 16.16 15. Thou shalt c. Ch. 13.3 and 34.18 And none c. Deut. 16.16 Ecclus 35.4 Empty i. e. Without some Gift or Oblation Deut. 15.13 14. 16. Feast of harvest When they offered two Loaves of First-fruits Lev. 23.17 called The Feast of Weeks Exod 34.22 because it was seven weeks from the foregoing Feast Levit. 23.15 This was the Feast of Pentecost Act. 2.1 At this time the Law was given See Notes on ch 19.1 The feast of in gathering Called also The feast of Tabernacles Lev. 23.34 Deut. 16.13 17. Three times Viz. at the times last mentioned Before the LORD i. e. at the place where God appointed and where the Tabernacle and after that the Temple was 18. Of my sacrifice i. e. Of the Passover as the Chaldee hath it and as appears evidently from ch 34.25 With leavened bread i. e. Having leavened Bread in thy possession My sacrifice Or Feast Remain viz. Unburnt 19. The first-fruits Ch. 34.26 Thou shalt not seeth a kid c. Deut. 14.21 This the Jews understand as forbidding the eating of Flesh and Milk together And besides the shew of Cruelty in doing so Deut. 22.6 7. and Philo Jud. de Charitate it is supposed this was forbid the Israelites because it was a Rite used by Idolaters See Mor. Nevoch p. 3. c. 48. 20. Behold Ch. 33.2 An Angel i. e. Christ called so Mal. 3.1 He was tempted in the Wilderness 1 Cor. 10.9 Heb. 3.9 Maimon confesses that these words are explained by those Deut. 18.18 which words do manifestly belong to the Messias See the Notes on Deut. 18.15 More Nevoch p. 2. c. 34. 21. Not pardon your transgressions i. e. Your contumacious sins Vid. Josh 24.19 My name is in him Joh. 10.38 The Name of God signifies his Essence Exod. 3.13 And sometimes his Word says Maimon More Nevoch p. 1. c. 64. and is applicable to the Messiah in both these Senses 22. An adversary unto thine adversaries Or I will afflict them that afflict thee 23. For c. Ch. 33.2 Bring thee Josh 24.11 24. But thou shalt Deut. 7.25 26. There shall nothing Deut. 7.14 27. Backs Heb. Neck 28. I will send hornets Josh 2â—â— These words may well be understood literally See Exod 8.21 31. Sea of the Philistines i. e. The Mediterranean upon which their Country lay Desart Of Shur Exod. 15.22 Gen. 16.7 River i. e. Euphrates as the Greek have it 32. Thou shalt Ch. 34.15 Deut. 7.2 33. It will surely c. Deut. 7.16 Josh 23.13 Judg. 2.3 CHAP. XXIV The ARGUMENT Moses is called up into the Mountain The People promise Obedience Moses builds an Altar and twelve Pillars The young Men offer Sacrifices He enters the People into Covenant with God God manifests himself Moses continues in the Mount forty Days and forty Nights 1. AND he said unto Moses Come up unto the LORD thou and Aaron Nadab and Abihu and seventy of the elders of Israel and worship ye afar off 2. And Moses alone shall come near the LORD but they shall not come nigh neither shall the people go up with him 3. And Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD and all the judgments and all the people answered with one voice and said All the words which the LORD hath said will we do 4. And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD and rose up early in the morning and builded an altar under the hill and twelve pillars according to the twelve tribes of Israel 5. And he sent young men of the children of Israel which offered burnt-offerings and sacrificed peace-offerings of oxen unto the LORD 6. And Moses took half of the blood and put it in basons and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar 7. And he took the book of the covenant and read in the audience of the people and they said All that the LORD hath said will we do and be obedient 8. And Moses took the blood and sprinkled it on the people and said Behold the blood of the covenant which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words 9. Then went up Moses and Aaron Nadab and Abihu and seventy of the elders of Israel 10. And they saw the God of Israel and there was under his feet as it were a paved-work of a saphire-stone and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness 11. And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand also they saw God and did eat and drink 12. And the LORD said unto Moses Come up to me into the mount and be there and I will give thee tables of stone and a law and commandments which I have written that thou mayest teach them 13. And Moses rose up and his minister Joshua And Moses went up into the mount of God 14. And he said unto the elders Tarry ye here for us until we come again unto you and behold Aaron and Hur are with you if any man have any matters to do let him come unto them 15. And Moses went up into the mount and a cloud covered the mount 16. And the glory of the LORD abode upon mount Sinai and the cloud covered it six days and the seventh day he called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud 17. And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like deuouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel 18. And Moses went into the midst of the cloud and got him up into the mount and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights 1. COme up i. e. After thou hast propounded my Laws to the People and sprinkled the Blood c. to v. 9. God's Seventy of the elders Who will be good Witnesses of glorious appearance This number was afterward ordained by God and taken into the Government Num. 11.16 17. 2. Near the LORD i. e. Into the midst of the Cloud v. 18. The top of the Mount where was a glorious appearance and sign of God's more special presence v. 16 17. But they shall not come nigh i. e. Aaron Nadab and Abihu and the seventy Elders though they went up into the Mount shall not pass into the midst of the Cloud nor go up to the top or the Mount as Moses did Neither shall the people go up The Elders were allowed to go up some part of the Mount v. 1. Moses might onely come near the People are to stay at the bottom of the Mount 3. All the words of the LORD and all the judgments i. e. The Ten Commandments ch 20. which are called The words which God spake Exod. 20.1 And again the ten Words ch 38.28 and the Judicial Laws contained in the three foregoing Chapters which are called Judgments ch 21.1 All the words Ch. 19.8 verse 7. Deut. 5.27 4. An altar On God's part who is the principal party in this Covenant Twelve pillars On the People's behalf 5. Young men
right Shoulder Maimon Kel Hammikd c. 9. 11. With the work c. Wisd 18.24 12. For a memorial Both with reference to God v. 29. and also to the Priest who was thereby put in mind of the concerns of the people 13. Ouches To receive the Chains v. 14. 15. Breast-plate of Judgment A Garment upon the Breast of the High Priest which he then did wear when in doubtfull cases he was consulted and acquainted them who consulted with the Will of God Numb 27.21 See v. 30. of this Chapter 17. Set in it settings of Stone Heb. Fill in it fillings of Stone Sardius Or Ruby 20. Enclosings Heb. Fillings 21. According to their names It is not said according to their birth as it is v. 10. And perhaps the order of their encamping might be observed here as Abravenel on the place would have it 30. The Vrim and the Thummim The Hebrew words import perfection and light And as they are applied to good life and doctrine they are good attendants upon those who minister in holy things But what the matter and form of the Vrim and Thummim were which are supposed to be made ready to be put in the Breast-plate is not to be known 31. Robe Or long Garment down to the ground See the Greek and Revel 1.13 33. Hem Or Skirts 35. And it c. Ecclus. 45.9 36. A Plate Which was two fingers broad and reached from one Ear to the other going over the Forehead of the Priest says Maimon HOLINESS TO THE LORD By which the High Priest was taught to look upon himself as separated to the Service of God as well as from thence to esteem himself obliged to serve God with great care and reverence 38. Bear c. i. e. That he may procure God's pardon for the People's Errors in the Service of God In this the High Priest was a fit type of Christ 1 Pet. 2.24 41. Consecrate them Heb. Fill their hand 42. Their nakedness Heb. Flesh of their nakedness Reach Heb. Be. 43. That they bear not iniquity i. e. That they bear not the punishment due for their Sin Hence the Jews teach that the Priest who ministers and wants some of the Garments here prescribed is to be reputed as no Priest deserves death and that the Sacrifice which he offers up is rendered profane Maim H. Kele Hammikd c. 10. CHAP. XXIX The ARGUMENT The Sacrifice and Ceremonies of Consecrating the Priests Of the Bullock for a Sin-offering Of the Ram for a Burnt-offering Of the Ram of Consecration and the Wave-offering The Wave-breast and Heave-shoulder reserved to Aaron and his Sons for the future Aaron's Sons who shall succeed him are to be anointed and consecrated in his Vestments Aaron and his Sons are to eat of the Ram of Consecration c. This Consecration to continue seven days The Atonement for the Altar The continual Burnt-offering 1. AND this is the thing that thou shalt do unto them to hallow them to minister unto me in the priest's office Take one young bullock and two rams without blemish 2. And unleavened bread and cakes unleavened tempered with oyl and wafers unleavened anointed with oyl of wheaten flour shalt thou make them 3. And thou shalt put them into one basket and bring them in the basket with the bullock and the two rams 4. And Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation and shalt wash them with water 5. And thou shalt take the garments and put upon Aaron the coat and the robe of the ephod and the ephod and the breast-plate and gird him with the curious girdle of the ephod 6. And thou shalt put the mitre upon his head and put the holy crown upon the mitre 7. Then shalt thou take the anointing oyl and pour it upon his head and anoint him 8. And thou shalt bring his sons and put coats upon them 9. And thou shalt gird them with girdles Aaron and his sons and put the bonnets on them and the priest's office shall be theirs for a perpetual statute and thou shalt consecrate Aaron and his sons 10. And thou shalt cause a bullock to be brought before the tabernacle of the congregation and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the bullock 11. And thou shalt kill the bullock before the LORD by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation 12. And thou shalt take of the blood of the bullock and put it upon the horns of the altar with thy finger and pour all the blood beside the bottom of the altar 13. And thou shalt take all the fat that covereth the inwards and the caul that is above the liver and the two kidneys and the fat that is upon them and burn them upon the altar 14. But the flesh of the bullock and his skin and his dung shalt thou burn with fire without the camp it is a sin-offering 15. Thou shalt also take one ram and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the ram 16. And thou shalt slay the ram and thou shalt take his blood and sprinkle it round about upon the altar 17. And thou shalt cut the ram in pieces and wash the inwards of him and his legs and put them unto his pieces and unto his head 18. And thou shalt burn the whole ram upon the altar it is a burnt-offering unto the LORD it is a sweet savour an offering made by fire unto the LORD 19. And thou shalt take the other ram and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the ram 20. Then shalt thou kill the ram and take of his blood and put it upon the tip of the right ear of Aaron and upon the tip of the right ear of his sons and upon the thumb of their right hand and upon the great toe of their right foot and sprinkle the blood upon the altar round about 21. And thou shalt take of the blood that is upon the altar and of the anointing oyl and sprinkle it upon Aaron and upon his garments and upon his sons and upon the garments of his sons with him and he shall be hallowed and his garments and his sons and his son's garments with him 22. Also thou shalt take of the ram the fat and the rump and the fat that covereth the inwards and the caul above the liver and the two kidneys and the fat that is upon them and the right shoulder for it is a ram of consecration 23. And one loaf of bread and one cake of oyled bread and one wafer out of the basket of the unleavened bread that is before the LORD 24. And thou shalt put all in the hands of Aaron and in the hands of his sons and shalt wave them for a wave-offering before the LORD 25. And thou shalt receive them of their hands and burn them upon the altar for a burnt-offering for a sweet savour before the LORD it is an
offering made by fire unto the LORD 26. And thou shalt take the breast of the ram of Aaron's consecrations and wave it for a wave-offering before the LORD and it shall be thy part 27. And thou shalt sanctifie the breast of the wave-offering and the shoulder of the heave-offering which is waved and which is heaved up of the ram of the consecration even of that which is for Aaron and of that which is for his sons 28. And it shall be Aaron's and his sons by a statute for ever from the children of Israel for it is an heave-offering and it shall be an heave-offering from the children of Israel of the sacrifice of their peace-offerings even their heave-offering unto the LORD 29. And the holy garments of Aaron shall be his sons after him to be anointed therein and to be consecrated in them 30. And that son that is priest in his stead shall put them on seven days when he cometh into the tabernacle of the congregation to minister in the holy place 31. And thou shalt take the ram of the consecration and seeth his flesh in the holy place 32. And Aaron and his sons shall eat the flesh of the ram and the bread that is in the basket by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation 33. And they shall eat those things wherewith the atonement was made to consecrate and to sanctifie them but a stranger shall not eat thereof because they are holy 34. And if ought of the flesh of the consecrations or of the bread remain unto the morning then thou shalt burn the remainder with fire it shall not be eaten because it is holy 35. And thus shalt thou do unto Aaron and to his sons according to all things which I have commanded thee seven days shalt thou consecrate them 36. And thou shalt offer every day a bullock for a sin-offering for atonement and thou shalt cleanse the altar when thou hast made an atonement for it and thou shalt anoint it to sanctifie it 37. Seven days thou shalt make an atonement for the altar and sanctifie it and it shall be an altar most holy whatsoever toucheth the altar shall be holy 38. Now this is that which thou shalt offer upon the altar two lambs of the first year day by day continually 39. The one lamb thou shalt offer in the morning and the other lamb thou shalt offer at even 40. And with the one lamb a tenth-deal of flour mingled with the fourth part of an hin of beaten oyl and the fourth part of an hin of wine for a drink-offering 41. And the other lamb thou shalt offer at even and shalt do thereto according to the meat-offering of the morning and according to the drink-offering thereof for a sweet savour an offering made by fire unto the LORD 42. This shall be a continual burnt-offering throughout your generations at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD where I will meet you to speak there unto thee 43. And there I will meet with the children of Israel and the tabernacle shall be sanctified by my glory 44. And I will sanctifie the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar I will sanctifie also both Aaron and his sons to minister to me in the priest's office 45. And I will dwell amongst the children of Israel and will be their God 46. And they shall know that I am the LORD their God that brought them forth out of the land of Egypt that I may dwell amongst them I am the LORD their God 1. TO hallow them i. e. To set them apart to their separate and holy Office Take Levit. 9.2 Without blemish i. e. Without defect or perfect as the Hebrew word signifies 4. With water Which Aaron and his Sons were to repeat when ever they went into the Tabernacle c. 30.18 20. 5. The garments Viz. Which are mentioned in the foregoing Chapter The robe of the ephod Ch. 28.31 6. The holy crown The Plate of Gold with the blue Lace mentioned ch 28.36 37. Levit. 8.9 See the Greek and Vulgar 7. Oyl Ch. 30.25 9. Put Heb. Bind Consecrate Heb. Fill the hand of Ch. 28.41 The meaning of which expression may be learnt from v. 23 24. 10. Aaron Levit. 1.4 Put their hands c. This putting the Hands on the Head of the Beast which was to be sacrificed was very usual By it the Beast was appropriated to God and the Offerer thereby transferred his guilt upon it This was joined with Confession of Sin Lev. 5.5 6. with ch 16.21 12. Of the altar i. e. Of the Altar of Burnt-offering as in the Sin offerings Levit 5.24 25 29 30. 13. And thou Levit. 3.3 The caul that is above the liver It seemeth by Anatomy and the Hebrew Doctors to be the Midriff So our English Interpreters in their Marginal Note The Greek render it by the Lobe of the Liver meaning possibly the Lobe to which the Gaul is fixed Burn What we render Burn in this place is not the same word which we so render v. 14. but a word that is applied to the burning of Incense which consumes into Smoke these parts being fat and light consuming after that manner which Incense does without any considerable Ashes remaining 15. Head See v. 10. 18. Burnt-offering See the Notes on Levit 1.3 20. Tip of the right ear The putting the blood upon these parts mentioned in this Verse was a symbol of that ready Obedience which was due from the Priests 22. For it is a ram of Consecration This Ram was not to be wholly burnt as the other was v. 18. Nor was it a Sin-offering as the Bullock was v. 14. but rather a kind of Peace-offering v. 28. and 32. from such Sacrifices the right Shoulder and the Breast were due to the Priest v. 27 28. Levit. 7.31 32. Deut. 18.3 But in this extraordinary case the right Shoulder is to be burnt v. 25. And this is a peculiar belonging to the Ram of Consecration These words give the reason why the right Shoulder was burnt 24. Wave Heb. Shake to and fro This waving or moving to and fro being a Rite by which that which was thus waved was set apart to an holy use The Greek translate by a word that signifies to set apart 26. Thy part Moses being at this time in the stead of the High Priest v. 22. 27. Sanctifie c. Or set apart taking the Breast for thy self and burning the Shoulder upon the Altar v. 25. these were afterwards the portion of the Priests Levit. 7.31 32. Heave-offering Or That Offering whiâ—h is set apart by lifting it up 28. By a statute Deut. 18.3 Levit. 7.31 32. 30. That son Heb. He of his sons 31. Ram i. e. The remainder of it after God's part was offered v. 22. and the part belonging to Moses was set aside v. 26. In the holy place i. e. At the entrance of the Tabernacle Levit. 8.31 32. Bread Levit. 8.31 Matt. 12.4 33. A
shines He puts a Veil thereon whiles he speaks with the People and removes it when he speaks with God 1. AND the LORD said unto Mâ—ses Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first and I will write upon these tables the words that were in the first tables which thou brakest 2. And be ready in the morning and come up in the morning unto mount Sinai and present thy self there to me in the top of the mount 3. And no man shall come up with thee neither let any man be seen throughout all the mount neither let the flocks nor herds feed before that mount 4. And he hewed two tables of stone like unto the first and Moses rose up early in the morning and went up unto mount Sinai as the LORD had commanded him and took in his hand the two tables of stone 5. And the LORD descended in the cloud and stood with him there and proclaimed the name of the LORD 6. And the LORD passed by before him and proclaimed The LORD The LORD God mercifull and gracious long-suffering and abundant in goodness and truth 7. Keeping mercy for thousands forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin and that will by no means clear the guilty visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and upon the children's children unto the third and to the fourth generation 8. And Moses made hast and bowed his head towards the earth and worshipped 9. And he said If now I have found grace in thy sight O Lord let my Lord I pray thee go amongst us for it is a stiff-necked people and pardon our iniquity and our sin and take us for thine inheritance 10. And he said Behold I make a covenant before all thy people I will do marvels such as have not been done in all the earth nor in any nation and all the people amongst which thou art shall see the work of the LORD for it is a terrible thing that I will do with thee 11. Observe thou that which I command thee this day Behold I drive out before thee the Amorite and the Canaanite and the Hittite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite 12. Take heed to thy self lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee 13. But ye shall destroy their altars break their images and cut down their groves 14. For thou shalt worship no other God for the LORD whose name is Jealous is a jealous God 15. Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land and they go a whoring after their gods and do sacrifice unto their gods and one call thee and thou eat of his sacrifice 16. And thou take of their daughters unto thy sons and their daughters go a whoring after their gods and make thy sons go a whoring after their gods 17. Thou shalt make thee no molten gods 18. The feast of unleavened bread shalt thou keep Seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread as I commanded thee in the time of the month Abib for in the month Abib thou camest out from Egypt 19. All that openeth the matrix is mine and every firstling among thy cattel whether ox or sheep that is male 20. But the firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb and if thou redeem him not then shalt thou break his neck All the first-born of thy sons thou shalt redeem and none shall appear before me empty 21. Six days thou shalt work but on the seventh day thou shalt rest in earing-time and in harvest thou shalt rest 22. And thou shalt observe the feast of weeks of the first-fruits of wheat-harvest and the feast of ingathering at the year's end 23. Thrice in the year shall all your men-children appear before the Lord GOD the God of Israel 24. For I will cast out the nations before thee and enlarge thy borders neither shall any man desire thy land when thou shalt go up to appear before the LORD thy God thrice in the year 25. Thou shalt not offer the bloud of my sacrifice with leaven neither shall the sacrifice of the feast of passover be left unto the morning 26. The first of the first-fruits of thy land thou shalt bring unto the house of the LORD thy God Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk 27. And the LORD said unto Moses Write thou these words for after the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with thee and with Israel 28. And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty-nights he did neither eat bread nor drink water and he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant the ten commandments 29. And it came to pass when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses's hand when he came down from the mount that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him 30. And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses behold the skin of his face shone and they were afraid to come nigh him 31. And Moses called unto them and Aaron and all the rulers of the congregation returned unto him and Moses talked with them 32. And afterward all the children of Israel came nigh and he gave them in commandment all that the LORD had spoken with him in mount Sinai 33. And till Moses had done speaking with them he put a veil on his face 34. But when Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him he took the veil off untill he came out And he came out and spake unto the children of Israel that which he was commanded 35. And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses that the skin of Moses's face shone and Moses put the veil upon his face again untill he went in to speak with him 1. HEW thee The first Tables were the work of God ch 32.16 Deut. 10.1 5. Descended Was revealed says the Chaldee i. e. He manifested himself in the Cloud And proclaimed the name Or He called upon the name and then these words referr to Moses who upon God's glorious manifestation of himself called upon God This agrees well with the Hebrew Text Vid. Gen. 12.8 and is followed by the Vulgar Latin 6. And the LORD passed by c. That is He caused his Divine Presence to pass by as the Chaldee hath it And proclaimed i. e. And the Lord proclaimed ch 33.19 7. Will by no means clear Or Will not utterly cut off For so the Hebrew word is observed sometimes to signifie and is by our Englisâ— rendred to that sense Zech. 5.3 Jer. 46.28 in the Margent Besides when Moses deprecates God's displeasure he makes use of these words Num. 14.18 More Nevoch p. 1. c. 54. Visiting c. ch 20.5 Deut. 5.9 Jer. 32.18 9. If now c. Moses is now encouraged to pray as he doth upon this proclaiming the Mercy and Goodness of God My Lord
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
Their pillars were twenty and their brasen sockets twenty the hooks of the pillars and their fillets were of silver 11. And for the north-side the hangings were an hundred cubits their pillars were twenty and their sockets of brass twenty the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver 12. And for the west-side were hangings of fifty cubits their pillars ten and their sockets ten the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver 13. And for the east-side east-ward fifty cubits 14. The hangings of the one side of the gate were fifteen cubits their pillars three and their sockets three 15. And for the other side of the court-gate on this hand and that hand were hangings of fifteen cubits their pillars three and their sockets three 16. All the hangings of the court round about were of fine twined linen 17. And the sockets for the pillars were of brass the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver and the overlaying of their chapiters of silver and all the pillars of the court were filleted with silver 18. And the hanging for the gate of the court was needle-work of blue and purple and scarlet and fine twined linen and twenty cubits was the length and the height in the breadth was five cubits answerable to the hangings of the court 19. And their pillars were four and their sockets of brass four their hooks of silver and the overlaying of their chapiters and their fillets of silver 20. And all the pins of the tabernacle and of the court round about were of brass 21. This is the sum of the tabernacle even of the tabernacle of testimony as it was counted according to the commandment of Moses for the service of the Levites by the hand of Ithamar son to Aaron the priest 22. And Bezaleel the son of Vri the son of Hur of the tribe of Judah made all that the LORD commanded Moses 23. And with him was Aholiab son of Ahisamach of the tribe of Dan an engraver and a cunning workman and an embroiderer in blue and in purple and in scarlet and fine linen 24. All the gold that was occupied for the work in all the work of the holy place even the gold of the offering was twenty and nine talents and seven hundred and thirty shekels after the shekel of the sanctuary 25. And the silver of them that were numbred of the congregation was an hundred talents and a thousand seven hundred and threescore and fifteen shekels after the shekel of the sanctuary 26. A bekah for every man that is half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary for every one that went to be numbred from twenty years old and upward for six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty men 27. And of the hundred talents of silver were cast the sockets of the sanctuary and the sockets of the veil an hundred sockets of the hundred talents a talent for a socket 28. And of the thousand seven hundred seventy and five shekels he made hooks for the pillars and overlaid their chapiters and filleted them 29. And the brass of the offering was seventy talents and two thousand and four hundred shekels 30. And therewith he made the sockets to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation and the brasen altar and the brasen grate for it and all the vessels of the altar 31. And the sockets of the court round about and the sockets of the court-gate and all the pins of the tabernacle and all the pins of the court round about 1. AND he made Ch. 27.1 8. Looking-glasses Or Brasen-glasses Not made of Glass of which we have no mention but Brass polished which served the same purpose which our Looking-glasses are designed for Vid. Ezra 8 2â— Assembling which assembled Heb. Assembling by troops They assembled upon a Religious account to the place of God's Worship and more peculiar Presence and as the Greek and Chaldee understand it as they met there to fast or to pray so it is evident that they did also bestow of their Substance upon the service of God in that they parted with their fine and polished Brass by which they adorned themselves to make the Laver of Brass 9. Court Vid. Ch. 27.9 18. The height in the breadth i. e. The height of the hangings breadth That was its height when it hung up which was its breadth when it lay along 20. Pins Ch. 27.19 21. The sum of the tabernacle i. e. The Sum of Particulars belonging to the Tabernacle Ithamar Num. 4.28 31 32 33. 24. Talents A Shekel is half an Ounce and in Silver it amounts to our 2 s. 6 d. or near it A Bekah is half so much A Talent is 3000 Shekels This appears v. 25 26 28. The 603550 are taxed at a Bekah a-piece This makes 301775 Shekels and reckoning 3000 Shekels to a Talent the 301775 Shekels make up 100 Talents and 1775 Shekels counting the Shekel of Silver at 2 s. 6 d. the Talent of Silver amounts to 375 l. Sterling Their Talent of Gold was of the same weight and should we allow it but of ten times the value a Shekel of Gold will amount to 1 l. 5 s. Sterling and a Talent of Gold to 3750 l. 25. Numbred Exod. 30.13 26. Every man Heb. A Poll. CHAP. XXXIX The ARGUMENT Of the Clothes of Service and Holy Garments The Tabernacle is brought to Moses with its several Vtensils and approved of by him 1. AND of the blue and purple and scarlet they made clothes of service to do service in the holy place and made the holy garments for Aaron as the LORD commanded Moses 2. And he made the ephod of gold blue and purple and scarlet and fine twined linen 3. And they did beat the gold into thin plates and cut it into wiers to work it in the blue and in the purple and in the scarlet and in the fine linen with cunning work 4. They made shoulder-pieces for it to couple it together by the two edges was it coupled together 5. And the curious girdle of his ephod that was upon it was of the same according to the work thereof of gold blue and purple and scarlet and fine twined linen as the LORD commanded Moses 6. And they wrought onyx-stones enclosed in ouches of gold graven as signets are graven with the names of the children of Israel 7. And he put them on the shoulders of the ephod that they should be stones for a memorial to the children of Israel as the LORD commanded Moses 8. And he made the breast-plate of cunning work like the work of the ephod of gold blue and purple and scarlet and fine twined linen 9. It was four-square they made the breast-plate double a span was the length thereof and a span the breadth thereof being doubled 10. And they see in it four rows of stones the first row was a sardius a topaz and a carbuncle this was the first row 11. And the second row an emeraud a
bewail the burning which the LORD hath kindled 7. And ye shall not go out from the door of the tabernacle of the congregation lest you die for the anointing oyl of the LORD is upon you And they did according to the word of Moses 8. And the LORD spake unto Aaron saying 9. Do not drink wine nor strong drink thou nor thy sons with thee when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregationâ— lest ye die It shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations 10. And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy and between unclean and clean 11. And that ye may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the LORD hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses 12. And Moses spake unto Aaron and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar his sons that were left Take the meat-offering that remaineth of the offerings of the LORD made by fire and eat it without leaven beside the altar for it is most holy 13. And ye shall eat it in the holy place because it is thy due and thy son 's due of the sacrifices of the LORD made by fire for so I am commanded 14. And the wave-breast and heave-shoulder shall ye eat in a clean place thou and thy sons and thy daughters with thee for they be thy due and thy son 's due which are given out of the sacrifices of peace-offerings of the children of Israel 15. The heave-shoulder and the wave-breast shall they bring with the offerings made by fire of the fat to wave it for a wave-offering before the LORD and it shall be thine and thy sons with thee by a statute for ever as the LORD hath commanded 16. And Moses diligently sought the goat of the sin-offering and behold it was burnt and he was angry with Eleazar and Ithamar the sons of Aaron which were left alive saying 17. Wherefore have ye not eaten the sin-offering in the holy place seeing it is most holy and God hath given it you to bear the iniquity of the congregation to make atonement for them before the LORD 18. Behold the blood of it was not brought in within the holy place ye should indeed have eaten it in the holy place as I commanded 19. And Aaron said unto Moses Behold this day have they offered their sin-offering and their burnt-offering before the LORD and such things have befallen me and if I had eaten the sin-offering to day should it have been accepted in the sight of the LORD 20. And when Moses heard that he was content 1. NAdab Numb 3.4 and 26.61 1 Chron. 24.2 Censer That is a certain Vessel in which they put Coals of fire Strange fire i. e. Other fire than what they ought to have used Thus Incense which was not such as was prescribed and allowed is called strange Incense Exod. 30.9 God had appointed a continual Fire upon the Altar of Burnt-offering ch 6.12 This Fire as appears afterward was to be used in burning the Incense ch 16.12 with Rev. 8.5 And as it was upon the Altar it was separated to an holy use and 't is therefore probable that the fault of Nadab and Abihu was that they used Common Fire and not Fire from the Altar which God had required for the service of the Sanctuary And these Men had without all doubt been sufficiently directed in their duty Commanded them not Or had not prescribed and allowed Those words do not imply that God had not forbidden it See Jer. 32.35 2. From the LORD i. e. Which God sent whether from the Altar or from above Devoured them It stifled them or killed them as Lightning hath been known to do See v. 5. 3. Spake saying I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me The substance of this was said in these words And let the Priests also which come near to the LORD sanctifie themselves lest the LORD break forth upon them Exod. 19.22 See also Levit. 8.35 and Isa 58.11 I will be glorified That is my Justice shall be known in punishing Transgressors The substance of this was threatned Exod. 19.22 And God is glorified by the Justice of his Inflictions Exod. 14.4 Ezek. 28.22 Held his peace i. e. He murmured not but submitted Psal 39.9 4. Vncle Exod. 6.18 20. with Numb 3.19 6. Vncover not your heads The uncovering the Head whether it were by putting off the Tire and Ornament of the Head or by shaving off the Hair was a sign of Mourning which is that which is forbidden the Priest in this place Ezek. 24.17 23. Levit. 13.45 with Job 1.20 Isa 22.12 To which places may be added to the same purpose ch 13.45 and ch 21.1 10. Numb 6.5 6. Neither rend c. Rending of clothes was also a sign of Mourning Gen. 37.34 Levit. 21.10 Vpon all the people Who will suffer greatly by the loss of their Priests who were to bless them and make atonement for them 7. Oyl Which was a token of the Spirit of Joy as well as it was that by which they were set a-part to the Service of God Psal 45.7 9. Wine This was forbid during their ministration and that they might not be unfit for their service Prov. 31.5 Isa 28.7 See vers 10 11. As also 1 Tim. 3.3 8. and 5.23 10. Put difference Wine and strong Drink take away the power of discerning and would consequently make the Priests unfit for their Ministration vid. Ezek. 44.21 23. Jerem. 15.19 12. It is most holy Vid. Levit. 2.3 and the Note on that place and also the 13 Verse of this Chapter 14. The Wave-breast Exod. 29.24 In a clean place Not in an holy place they being not most holy as that v. 12. and might therefore be eaten in the Camp and afterward in the City of Jerusalem 16. The Goat Mentioned ch 9.15 18. Behold the blood of it was not brought in In that case the Priest was not allowed any part or share in it as we are expressly told Levit. 6.30 As I commanded chap. 6.26 19. Should it have been accepted c. Because of his sorrow which indisposed him for that service Deut. 12.7 c. ch 26.14 CHAP. XI The ARGUMENT Of the Beasts that may be eaten and those which may not Of the Fish and Fowls that may or may not be eaten Of the creeping things which are unclean 1. AND the LORD spake unto Moses and to Aaron saying unto them 2. Speak unto the children of Israel saying These are the beasts which ye shall eat among all the beast that are on the earth 3. Whatsoever parteth the hoof and is cloven-footed and cheweth the cud among the beasts that shall ye eat 4. Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud or of them that divide the hoof as the camel because he cheweth the cud but divideth not the hoof he is unclean unto you 5. And the coney because he cheweth the cud but divideth not the hoof he is unclean unto you 6. And the hare because he
hair he shall shave off and he shall wash his cloathes also he shall wash his flesh in water and he shall be clean 10. And on the eighth day he shall take two he-lambs without blemish and one ew-lamb of the first year without blemish and three tenth-deals of fine flour for a meat-offering mingled with oyl and one log of oyl 11. And the priest that maketh him clean shall present the man that is to be made clean and those things before the LORD at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation 12. And the priest shall take one he-lamb and offer him for a trespass-offering and the log of oyl and wave them for a wave-offering before the LORD 13. And he shall slay the lamb in the place where he shall kill the sin-offering and the burnt-offering in the holy place for as the sin-offering is the priest's so is the trespass-offering it is most holy 14. And the priest shall take some of the blood of the trespass-offering and the priest shall put it upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed and upon the thumb of his right hand and upon the great toe of his right foot 15. And the priest shall take some of the log of oyl and pour it into the palm of his own left hand 16. And the priest shall dip his right finger in the oyl that is in his left hand and shall sprinkle of the oyl with his finger seven times before the LORD 17. And of the rest of the oyl that is in his hand shall the priest put upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed and upon the thumb of his right hand and upon the great toe of his right foot upon the bloud of the trespass-offering 18. And the remnant of the oyl that is in the priest's hand he shall pour upon the head of him that is to be cleansed and the priest shall make an atonement for him before the LORD 19. And the priest shall offer the sin-offering and make an atonement for him that is to be cleansed from his uncleanness and afterward he shall kill the burnt-offering 20. And the priest shall offer the burnt-offering and the meat-offering upon the altar and the priest shall make an atonement for him and he shall be clean 21. And if he be poor and cannot get so much then he shall take one lamb for a trespass-offering to be waved to make an atonement for him and one tenth-deal of fine flour mingled with oyl for a meat-offering and a log of oyl 22. And two turtle doves or two young pigeons such as he is able to get and the one shall be a sin-offering and the other a burnt-offering 23. And he shall bring them on the eighth day for his cleansing unto the priest unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD 24. And the priest shall take the lamb of the trespass-offering and the log of oyl and the priest shall wave them for a wave-offering before the LORD 25. And he shall kill the lamb of the trespass-offering and the priest shall take some of the blood of the trespass-offering and put it upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed and upon the thumb of his right hand and upon the great toe of his right foot 26. And the priest shall pour of the oyl into the palm of his own left hand 27. And the priest shall sprinkle with his right finger some of the oyl that is in his left hand seven times before the LORD 28. And the priest shall put of the oyl that is in his hand upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed and upon the thumb of his right hand and upon the great toe of his right foot upon the place of the blood of the trespass-offering 29. And the rest of the oyl that is in the priest's hand he shall put upon the head of him that is to be cleansed to make an atonement for him before the LORD 30. And he shall offer the one of the turtle-doves or of the young pigeons such as he can get 31. Even such as he is able to get the one for a sin-offering and the other for a burnt-offering with the meat-offering And the priest shall make an atonement for him that is to be cleansed before the LORD 32. This is the law of him in whom is the plague of leprosie whose hand is not able to get that which pertaineth to his cleansing 33. And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron saying 34. When ye be come into the land of Canaan which I give to you for a possession and I put the plague of leprosie in a house of the land of your possession 35. And he that oweth the house shall come and tell the priest saying It seemeth to me there is as it were a plague in the house 36. Then the priest shall command that they empty the house before the priest go into it to see the plague that all that is in the house be not made unclean and afterward the priest shall go in to see the house 37. And he shall look on the plague and behold if the plague be in the walls of the house with hollow strakes greenish or reddish which in sight are lower then the wall 38. Then the priest shall go out of the house to the door of the house and shut up the house seven days 39. And the priest shall come again the seventh day and shall look and behold if the plague be spread in the walls of the house 40. Then the priest shall command that they take away the stones in which the plague is and they shall cast them into an unclean place without the city 41. And he shall cause the house to be scraped within round about and they shall pour out the dust that they scrape off without the city into an unclean place 42. And they shall take other stones and put them in the place of those stones and he shall take other mortar and shall plaister the house 43. And if the plague come again and break out in the house after that he hath taken away the stones and after he hath scraped the house and after it is plaistered 44. Then the priest shall come and look and behold if the plague be spread in the house it is a fretting leprosie in the house it is unclean 45. And he shall break down the house the stones of it and the timber thereof and all the mortar of the house and he shall carry them forth out of the city into an unclean place 46. Moreover he that goeth into the house all the while that it is shut up shall be unclean until the even 47. And he that lieth in the house shall wash his clothes and he that eateth in the house shall wash his clothes 48. And if the priest shall come in and look upon
atonement with him and to let him go for a scape-goat into the wilderness 11. And Aaron shall bring the bullock of the sin-offering which is for himself and shall make an atonement for himself and for his house and shall kill the bullock of the sin-offering which is for himself 12. And he shall take a censer-full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the LORD and his hands-full of sweet incense beaten small and bring it within the veil 13. And he shall put the incense upon the fire before the LORD that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy-seat that is upon the testimony that he die not 14. And he shall take of the blood of the bullock and sprinkle it with his finger upon the mercy-seat east-ward and before the merseat shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times 15. Then shall he kill the goat of the sin-offering that is for the people and bring his blood within the veil and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock and sprinkle it upon the mercy-seat and before the mercy-seat 16. And he shall make an atonement for the holy place because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel and because of their transgressions in all their sins and so shall he do for the tabernacle of the congregation that remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness 17. And there shall be no man in the tabernacle of the congregation when he goeth in to make an atonement in the holy place untill he come out and have made an atonement for himself and for his houshold and for all the congregation of Israel 18. And he shall go out unto the altar that is before the LORD and make an atonement for it and shall take of the blood of the bullock and of the blood of the goat and put it upon the horns of the altar round about 19. And he shall sprinkle of the blood upon it with his finger seven times and cleanse it and hallow it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel 20. And when he hath made an end of reconciling the holy place and the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar he shall bring the live goat 21. And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel and all their transgressions in all their sins putting them upon the head of the goat and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness 22. And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness 23. And Aaron shall come into the tabernacle of the congregation and shall put off the linen garments which he put on when he went into the holy place and shall leave them there 24. And he shall wash his flesh with water in the holy place and put on his garments and come forth and offer his burnt-offering and the burnt-offering of the people and make an atonement for himself and for the people 25. And the fat of the sin-offering shall he burn upon the altar 26. And he that let go the goat for the scape-goat shall wash his clothes and bathe his flesh in water and afterward come into the camp 27. And the bullock for the sin-offering and the goat for the sin-offering whose blood was brought in to make atonement in the holy place shall one carry forth without the camp and they shall burn in the fire their skins and their flesh and their dung 28. And he that burneth them shall wash his clothes and bathe his flesh in water and afterward he shall come into the camp 29. And this shall be a statute for ever unto you that in the seventh month on the tenth day of the month ye shall afflict your souls and do no work at all whether it be one of your own country or a stranger that sojourneth among you 30. For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you to cleanse you that ye may be clean from all your sins before the LORD 31. It shall be a sabbath of rest unto you and ye shall afflict your souls by a statute for ever 32. And the priest whom he shall anoint and whom he shall consecrate to minister in the priest's office in his father's stead shall make the atonement and shall put on the linen clothes even the holy garments 33. And he shall make an atonement for the holy sanctuary and he shall make an atonement for the tabernacle of the congregation and for the altar and he shall make an atonement for the priests and for all the people of the congregation 34. And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you to make an atonement for the children of Israel for all their sins once a year And he did as the LORD commanded Moses 1. DEath Chap. 10.2 2. Come not Exod 30.10 Heb. 9.7 This is to be understood with reference to the Priestly Service or Ministration See Heb. 9.6 7. Upon other necessary occasions the High-priest might enter into the most Holy place viz. When the Tabernacle was taken down or set up according to the Removals of the Israelites c. Into the holy place i. e. The Holy of Holies as appears by what follows This was a Figure of Heaven Heb. 9.12 24. And the High-priest's going into it of our Saviour Christ's entring into Heaven Heb. 9.11 12. In the cloud i. e. In the Cloud or Smoak of the Incense mentioned v. 13. and which was to be offered but once in the year 3. With a young Bullock Of his own and for his own and his families Sin v. 6. 4. The holy linen Coat c. The Service peculiar to this day was to be performed by the High-priest in his linen Vestments not in his more costly Attire of Gold This meaner Garb being judged more agreeable with that Sorrow and Repentance which the Service of the day required Vpon his flesh Flesh is to be understood in the sense in which it is taken ch 15.2 6. Make an atonement Heb. 9.7 His house i. e. The rest of the Priests v. 33. who are called the House of Aaron Psal 135.19 8. One lot for the LORD i. e. One Lot was so marked that it did express that it belonged to the Lord and the Goat on which it fell was to be Sacrificed The Sufferings of Christ are hereby prefigured which how casual soever they might seem to us to be did not happen without the particular Providence and Counsel of God Prov. 16.33 Act. 4.28 Scape-goat Heb. Azazeel i. e. The Goat which was to be sent away alive into a place not inhabited 9. Fell Heb. Went up There is no inconsistence between the Marginal reading and the Text The High-priest took the two Lots out of a Box and lift up his Hands on high and then put each
allowed to be defiled for 12. Go out Ch. 10.7 Crown The anointing Oyl was that by which the High-priest was Crowned and separated to his Office Besides that on his Head he had that which is called a Crown elsewhere Exod. 39.6 Levit. 8.9 12. 14. Of his own people And not of a strange Nation 15. Profane Or vitiate and corrupt by foreign and forbidden Mixtures in Marriage 17. Bread Or Food 18. A blemish The general Heads of Blemishes are laid down here the Jews reckon under these general Heads many particulars to the number of 90. Superfluous Ch. 22.23 20. A dwarf Or too slender 21. Of the seed of Aaron i. e. Though he be of that seed 22. Of the most holy Such were the Sin and Trespass-offering the Meat-offering and Shew-bread Numb 18.9 Levit. 24.9 The holy Such were the Peace-offerings the Wave and Heave-offerings Numb 18.8 11. Levit. 10.14 24. To all It being the common interest of all that God should be served aright CHAP. XXII The ARGUMENT The Priests in their Vncleanness are prohibited to eat of Holy Things Of the Things which render them unclean and how they must be cleansed Who of the Priest's Family may eat of the Holy Things Of the Stranger that eats the Holy Things unwittingly The Sacrifices must be without blemish Of the Age of the Sacrifice and the Law of the Thanksgiving-offering 1. AND the LORD spake unto Moses saying 2. Speak unto Aaron and to his sons that they separate themselves from the holy things of the children of Israel and that they profane not my holy name in those things which they hallow unto me I am the LORD 3. Say unto them Whosoever he be of all your seed among your generations that goeth unto the holy things which the children of Israel hallow unto the LORD having his uncleanness upon him that soul shall be cut off from my presence I am the LORD 4. What man soever of the seed of Aaron is a leper or hath a running issue he shall not eat of the holy things untill he be clean And whoso toucheth any thing that is unclean by the dead or a man whose seed goeth from him 5. Or whosoever toucheth any creeping thing whereby he may be made unclean or a man of whom he may take uncleanness whatsoever uncleannese he hath 6. The soul which hath touched any such shall be unclean untill even and shall not eat of the holy things unless he wash his flesh with water 7. And when the sun is down he shall be clean and shall afterward eat of the holy things because it is his food 8. That which dieth of it self or is torn with beasts he shall not eat to defile himself therewith I am the LORD 9. They shall therefore keep mine ordinance lest they bear sin for it and die therefore if they profane it I the LORD do sanctifie them 10. There shall no stranger eat of the holy thing a sojourner of the priest or an hired servant shall not eat of the holy thing 11. But if the priest buy any soul with his money he shall eat of it and he that is born in his house they shall eat of his meat 12. If the priest's daughter also be married unto a stranger she may not eat of an offering of the holy things 13. But if the priest's daughter be a widow or divorced and have no child and is returned unto her father's house as in her youth she shall eat of her father's meat but there shall no stranger eat thereof 14. And if a man eat of the holy thing unwittingly then he shall put the fifth part thereof unto it and shall give it unto the priest with the holy thing 15. And they shall not profane the holy things of the children of Israel which they offer unto the LORD 16. Or suffer them to bear the iniquity of trespass when they eat their holy things for I the LORD do sanctifie them 17. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 18. Speak unto Aaron and to his sons and unto all the children of Israel and say unto them Whatsoever he be of the house of Israel or of the strangers in Israel that will offer his oblation for all his vows and for all his free-will-offerings which they will offer unto the LORD for a burnt-offering 19. Ye shall offer at your own will a male without blemish of the beeves of the sheep or of the goats 20. But whatsoever hath a blemish that shall ye not offer for it shall not be acceptable for you 21. And whosoever offereth a sacrifice of peace-offerings unto the LORD to accomplish his vow or a free-will-offering in beeves or sheep it shall be perfect to be accepted there shall be no blemish therein 22. Blind or broken or maimed or having a men or scurvy or scabbed ye shall not offer these unto the LORD nor make an offering by fire of them upon the altar unto the LORD 23. Either a bullock or a lamb that hath any thing superfluous or lacking in his parts that mayest thou offer for a free-will-offering but for a vow it shall not be accepted 24. Ye shall not offer unto the LORD that which is bruised or crushed or broken or cut neither shall you make any offering thereof in your land 25. Neither from a stranger's hand shall ye offer the bread of your God of any of these because their corruption is in them and blemishes be in them they shall not be accepted for you 26. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 27. When a bullock or a sheep or a goat is brought forth then it shall be seven days under the dam and from the eighth day and thenceforth it shall be accepted for an offering made by fire unto the LORD 28. And whether it be now or ew ye shall not kill it and her young both in one day 29. And when ye will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving into the LORD offer it at your own will 30. On the same day it shall be eaten up ye shall leave none of it untill the morrow I am the LORD 31. Therefore shall ye keep my commandments and do them I am the LORD 32. Neither shall ye profane my holy name but I will be hallowed among the children of Israel I am the LORD which hallow you 33. That brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God I am the LORD 2. Separate themselves i. e. That they abstain from eating the Holy Things in their Uncleanness v. 6. Profane not my holy name God will be sanctified in them that come nigh him ch 10.3 And he is so when Men worship him with that Reverence and Holiness which he requires But when they come to him in their Uncleanness they profane his Holy Name v. 15 32. 3. That goeth unto Or that draweth nigh unto as it is in the Hebrew This is to be understood here of eating v. 6. 4. Of the seed of Aaron That is tho' he be of the
This did peculiarly belong to the Year of Jubile and was a means to preserve the Tribes distinct and put the Israelites in mind that God was the Proprietor of their Land and that they held it of him See v. 23 38. 14. Oppress By taking the advantage of the Necessities of each other 15. According c. Since the Soil could not be alienated v. 23. the Buyer and Seller were to deal with each other with respect to the distance of the Jubile and to the Fruits arising from the Land 16. Multitude of years viz. Of increase between the time of buying and the following Jubile 17. Fear thy God As a proof of their fear of God they must abstain from Evil Prov. 16.6 21. My blessing By this they might learn to trust intirely in God and continue in their Obedience to him See Exod. 34.24 Matt. 6.33 For three years viz. the Seventh Eighth and Ninth v. 20 22. 23. For ever Or To be quite cut off Heb. For cutting off The meaning is this That they should not have liberty to sell their Inheritance Mine Not onely as the whole Earth is Ps 24.1 but this Land was chosen by God for the place where he was pleased more peculiarly to dwell as is intimated in the following words Ps 76.1 2. 24. Grant Or allow of it before the Year of Jubile whether the Owner of the Land or his Kinsman would redeem it v. 25 26. 26. Himself be able Heb. His hand hath attained and found sufficiency 31. They may be redeemed Heb. Redemption belongeth unto it 32. Cities of the Levites Which are mentioned Numb 35.2 Josh 21.4 At any time This is a peculiar privilege which God thought fit to allow those who were imployed in the service of the Sanctuary 2 Cor. 9.13 14. 33. A man purchase of the Levites Or One of the Levites redeem them i. e. He must be a Levite not an Israelite to whom this privilege v. 32. belongs and if such an one redeem the House so redeemed shall revert to the first Owner at the year of Jubile Their possession Deut. 18.1 2. 34. Field c. Numb 35.4 5. 35. Fallen in decay Heb. His hand faileth Relieve Hebr. Strengthen Stranger or a sojourner i. e. A Proselyte submitting to the Laws of Moses or one who is at least a Worshipper of the true God 36. No usury Exod. 22.25 Deut. 23.19 Prov. 28.8 Ezek. 18.8 and 22.12 39. If thy brother Exod. 21.2 Deut. 15.12 Jer. 34.14 Compel him to serve c. Heb. Serve thy self with him with the service 40. Vnto the year At the farthest See the Notes on Exod. 21.6 42. As bond-men Heb. With the sale of a bondman 43. Thou shalt not Ephes 6.9 Colos 4.1 46. They shall be your bond-men Heb. Ye shall serve your selves with them 47. Wax rich Heb. His hand obtain 50. Time of an hired servant That is A certain and precise time Job 7.1 54. In these years Or By these means That is If he be not redeemed by his Kins man 's or by his own Money CHAP. XXVI The ARGUMENT Idolatry is forbid Obedience commanded and encouraged with many Promises Threatnings of sundry kinds against the Disobedient Repentance is encouraged 1. YE shall make you no idols nor graven image neither rear you up a standing image neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land to bow down unto it for I am the LORD your God 2. Ye shall keep my sabbaths and reverence my sanctuary I am the LORD 3. If ye walk in my statutes and keep my commandments and do them 4 Then I will give you rain in due season and the land shall yield her increase and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit 5. And your threshing shall reach unto the vintage and the vintage shall reach unto the sowing time and ye shall eat your bread to the full and dwell in your land safely 6. And I will give peace in the land and ye shall lie down and none shall make you afraid and I will rid evil beasts out of the land neither shall the sword go through your land 7. And ye shall chase your enemies and they shall fall before you by the sword 8. And five of you shall chase an hundred and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword 9. For I will have respect unto you and make you fruitful and multiply you and establish my covenant with you 10. And ye shall eat old store and bring forth the old because of the new 11. And I will set my tabernacle amongst you and my soul shall not abhor you 12. And I will walk among you and will be your God and ye shall be my people 13. I am the LORD your God which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt that ye should not be their bond-men and I have broken the bands of your yoke and made you go upright 14. But if ye will not hearken unto me and will not do all these commandments 15. And if ye shall despise my statutes or if your soul abhorr my judgments so that ye will not do all my commandments but that ye break my covenant 16. I also will do this unto you I will even appoint over you terror consumption and the burning ague that shall consume the eyes and cause sorrow of heart and ye shall sow your seed in vain for your enemies shall eat it 17. And I will set my face against you and ye shall be slain before your enemies they that hate you shall reign over you and ye shall flee when none pursueth you 18. And if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me then I will punish you seven times more for your sins 19. And I will break the pride of your power and I will make your heaven as iron and your earth as brass 20. And your strength shall be spent in vain for your land shall not yield her increase neither shall the trees of the land yield their fruits 21. And if ye walk contrary unto me and will not hearken unto me I will bring seven times more plagues upon you according to your sins 22. I will also send wild beasts among you which shall rob you of your children and destroy your cattel and make you few in number and your high-ways shall be desolate 23. And if ye will not be reformed by me by these things but will walk contrary unto me 24. Then will I also walk contrary unto you and will punish you yet seven times for your sins 25. And I will bring a sword upon you that shall avenge the quarrel of my covenant and when ye are gathered together within your cities I will send the pestilence among you and ye shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy 26. And when I have broken the staff of your bread ten women shall bake your bread in one oven and they shall deliver you your
bread again by weight and ye shall eat and not be satisfied 27. And if ye will not for all this hearken unto me but walk contrary unto me 28. Then I will walk contrary unto you also in fury and I even I will chastise you seven times for your sins 29. And ye shall eat the flesh of your sons and the flesh of your daughters shall ye eat 30. And I will destroy your high places and cut down your images and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols and my soul shall abhor you 31. And I will make your cities waste and bring your sanctuaries unto desolation and I will not smell the savour of your sweet odours 32. And I will bring the land into desolation and your enemies which dwell therein shall be astonished at it 33. And I will scatter you among the heathen and will draw out a sword after you and your land shall be desolate and your cities waste 34. Then shall the land enjoy her sabbaths as long as it lieth desolate and ye be in your enemy's land even then shall the land rest and enjoy her sabbaths 35. As long as it lieth desolate it shall rest because it did not rest in your sabbaths when ye dwelt upon it 36. And upon them that are left alive of you I will send a faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies and the sound of a shaken leaf shall chase them and they shall flee as fleeing from a sword and they shall fall when none pursueth 37. And they shall fall one upon another as it were before a sword when none pursueth and ye shall have no power to stand before your enemies 38. And ye shall perish among the heathen and the land of your enemies shall eat you up 39. And they that are left of you shall pine away in their iniquity in your enemy's lands and also in the iniquities of their fathers shall they pine away with them 40. If they shall confess their iniquity and the iniquity of their fathers with their trespass which they trespassed against me and that also they have walked contrary unto me 41. And that I also have walked contrary unto them and have brought them into the land of their enemies if then their uncircumcised hearts be humbled and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity 42. Then will I remember my covenant with Jacob and also my covenant with Isaac and also my covenant with Abraham will I remember and I will remember the land 43. The land also shall be left of them and shall enjoy her sabbaths while she lieth desolate without them and they shall accept of the punishment of their iniquity because even because they despised my judgments and because their soul abhorred my statutes 44. And yet for all that when they be in the land of their enemies I will not cast them away neither will I abhor them to destroy them utterly and to break my covenant with them for I am the LORD their God 45. But I will for their sakes remember the covenant of their ancestors whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the heathen that I might be then God I am the LORD 46. These are the statutes and judgments and laws which the LORD made between him and the children of Israel in mount Sinai by the hand of Moses 1. IDols See the Notes on ch 19.4 and Exod. 20.4 Deut. 5.8 and 16.12 Ps 97.7 Standing image or pillar viz. For Religious Worship Civil Monuments are not here forbid Gen. 35.20 2 Sam. 18.18 Image of stone Or Figured stone Heb. A stone of picture A Stone of Worship or Adoration as the Chaldee hath it 2. Ye shall c. See ch 19.30 3. If ye c. Deut. 28.1 4. I will give God is onely able to give it Jer. 14.22 In due season Deut. 28.12 and Jer. 5.24 5. Vnto the vintage This is an expression that imports great plenty The Threshing implies an old store this Vintage a present increase and at the same time a seasonable Seed-time fair hopes of a succeeding year Amos 9.13 This Promise is made to them upon condition of their Obedience and probably with a particular respect to the Precepts ch 25.4 11. See Verse 20 21 of that Chapter Dwell Job 11.18 and Lev. 25.18 6. Ye shall lie Job 11.19 Rid Heb. Cause to cease by destroying them or their enmity Job 5.23 Hos 2.18 Go through Namely to wast as appears from v. 7. 8. Five c. Josh 23.10 9. Establish That is keep and continue to do it Vid. Gen. 6.18 10. Because of the new Or Before the new i. e. The New shall be ready for you before ye have spent your Old Store See ch 25.22 11. I will set my tabernacle God promises them in token of his great Favour to them Rev. 21.3 that he would after a more peculiar manner be present with them in his Sanctuary And this was a token of a greater Favour still in sending the Messias who should take upon him our Flesh and Tabernacle among us Joh. 1.14 and ch 2.21 Colos 2.9 Ezek. 37.24 27. 12. I will walk c. 2 Cor. 6.16 God promises to be with them during their Journies in the Wilderness as well as to continue with them afterwards 13. Vpright As it were holding up your heads ye being delivered from the yoke and burden which did before depress and bow you down Exod. 14.8 Numb 33.3 They came out of Egypt not like Slaves but Free-men 14. But c. Deut. 28.15 Lam. 2.17 Mal. 2.2 16. Over you Heb. Vpon you 17. Ye shall flee Prov. 28.1 18. Seven times more for your sins i. e. As your Sins after the aforesaid Judgments will be greater so I will bring many more Evils upon you for your persisting in them Seven times may well be taken as signifying often a certain number being put for an uncertain See Gen. 4.24 ch 33.3 19. The pride of your power That power in which you boast and vaunt As iron i. e. Hard or dry as Iron affording no Rain v. 4. As brass i. e. As unfruitfull as Brass 21. Contrary unto me Or at all adventures with me And so v. 24. The ancient Versions favour the rendring which we retain in the Text And then the word according to that sense implies a Contumacy or continuing in Rebellion against God after he chastiseth Men for their Sin vid. Job 15.25 The Jews follow that sense of our Marginal reading and expound the place of them who when they are afflicted by God for their Sins are so far from making the right use of their Sufferings that they rather look upon them as casual and contingent Things than any Argument of God's Displeasure or of his Care and Providence That say of any Evil God inflicts That it is not His hand that smote us it was a chance that happened to us 1 Sam. 6.9 This latter sense is not inconsistent with
shall add thereto the fifth part thereof 32. And concerning the tithe of the herd or of the flock even of whatsoever passeth under the rod the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD 33. He shall not search whether it be good or bad neither shall be change it and if he change it at all then both it and the change thereof shall be holy it shall not be redeemed 34. These are the commandments which the LORD commanded Moses for the children of Israel in mount Sinai 2. Make a singular vow i. e. Shall exempt and separate from common use The persons shall be for the LORD i. e. The value of these persons shall be for an Holy use For the persons themselves were redeemable as appears from what followeth and the price with which they were redeemed was set a-part for the reparation or service of the sanctuary 2 Kings 12.4 5. Where there is said to have been a Chamber on purpose to receive these Oblations Maimon Erachin chap. 1. By thy estimation i. e. According to the rate afterwards set down and fixed and which thou art to give as a Law to the Priests for the time to come v. 15. 3. Of the male i. e. Of every Male alike The difference of price respects the Sex and the Age not the other qualities and circumstances of the persons Shekels See the Notes on Gen. 20.16 8. If he be poorer c. i. e. He who made the Vow be not able to pay the fixed rate 9. Shall be holy Or separated to the Service of God and not be changed or redeemed v. 10 12. 10. He shall not alter c. It is not in their power to alienate what was before dedicated to God And an exchange in this case was forbid though for the better because they might not have any pretence of alienating what was before set a-part to an Holy use The Israelites are here greatly cautioned against this Sin in this Verse 11. Vnclean Beasts were said to be clean or unclean with respect to food Levit. 11.3 4. Or with respect to sacrifice Gen. 7.2 ch 8.20 And in this latter sense the word unclean is to be understood here as appears from the following words This Law doth also extend to Bullocks Sheep and Goats which yet were clean for Sacrifice as to their kind when by reason of some blemish or defect they became unfit for the Altar Maimon Erachin chap. 15. But it doth not extend to a Dog Deut. 23.18 12. As thou valuest it who art the Priest Heb. According to thy estimation O Priest 13. He shall add c. i. e. The first Owner Another Man was not under such an obligation but might have it at the price at which it was valued by the Priest The fifth part seems to be inflicted upon the first Owner for his unconstancy 14. Sanctifie his house c. i. e. Separate or set it a-part to the Service of God The price of which House when it was estimated and redeemed was taken into the Treasury of the Sanctuary and bestowed upon the Reparation of the House See verse 2. 15. The fifth part See verse 13. 16. An homer c. Or the land of an homer c. i. e. Not the Land which bears so much which would suppose the Price uncertain and variable but the Land which requires so much Seed Homer is a Measure containing ten Ephahs Ezek. 45.11 An Ephah contained very near our Bushes See the Notes on Exod. 16.36 An Homer and a Cor are the same measure Ezek. 45.14 And both the Greek and Chaldee in this place render Homer by Cor. 17. From the year Or before the year See verse 18. 20. Or if he have sold It may be as well translated And if he have sold Which is not to be understood of the first Owner who had no right to sell the Field which he had dedicated to God but of the Treasurer in whose power it was to sell and to convert the price thereof to an Holy use 21. Devoted See v. 28. The possession thereof shall be the Priest's But the Priests are to pay a price for it which is to be laid up for the maintaining the Sanctuary Maim Erachin chap. 4. 22. Bought Not being his Paternal inheritance 25. Twenty Gerahs Exod. 30.13 Numb 3.47 Ezek. 45.12 26. Firstling c. Heb. First-born c. No man shall sanctifie it The reason follows It is the LORD's God had by his Command required that the First-born should be sanctified or set a-part and a Man cannot separate or sanctifie that which he hath no right to 28. Notwithstanding Josh 6.19 Devoted thing This was a thing so vowed and dedicâ—â—â—d to God or to dâ—â—â—â—tion that he that dedicated it or executed God's sentence was to disclaim all title and claim to the Things or Persons or the common use of them for the future Most holy Levit. 2.3 29. Of men Men were sometimes devoted to destruction by God's appointment Deut. 25.19 Josh 6.17 sometimes by Men Numb 21.2 3. Exod. 22.20 32. Passeth under the rod These words intimate the way of Tithing when the Tenth was set out as the Flock or Herd went out of the Fold and were numbred by him that set out the Tenth with a Stick or Staff in his hand pointing to it Jer. 33.13 33. Change See verse 10. THE Fourth Book of Moses CALLED NUMBERS THE General Argument OF THE Fourth Book of MOSES CALLED NUMBERS THIS Book is called Numbers from the subject matter which it begins withall viz. An account of the number of the People of Israel This Account is taken by God's special command to Moses in taking of which he was assisted by Aaron as well as by the Princes of Israel ch 1.44 This Account is laid before us ch 1. And the diligent Reader may from the Relation there given discern the special Providence of God over that People and see very good reason for the Order in which the several Tribes are placed and also why the Levites are not numbred here among the other Tribes We have next an Account of the Order of the several Tribes in their Tents and of the number of their several Camps ch 2. Next follows an Account of the Sons of Aaron and of the setting aside the Levites to the Service of the Tabernacle instead of the First-born of the number and charge of these Levites and of the Redemption of the First-born of the Israelites who were not redeemed by the Levites ch 3. We have an Account ch 4. of the Charge and Service of the Levites who are numbred from thirty years old to the age of fifty We have after this several Laws viz. Concerning removing the Unclean out of the Camp Of Restitution in case of Trespass Of the tryal of Jealousie Of the Nazarites Of the form of blessing the People and then we have a relation of the Offerings of the Princes at the Dedication of the Tabernacle and Altar ch 5 6 7. Of lighting the Lamps and
to separate themselves unto the LORD 3. He shall separate himself from wine and strong drink and shall drink no vinegar of wine or vinegar of strong drink neither shall â—e drink any liquor of grapes nor eat moist grapes or dried 4. All the days of his separation shall he eat nothing that is made of the vine-tree from the kernels even to the husk 5. All the days of the vow of his separation there shall no rasor come upon his head untill the days be fulfilled in the which he separateth himself unto the LORD he shall be holy and shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow 6. All the days that he separateth himself unto the LORD he shall come at no dead body 7. He shall not make himself unclean for his father or for his mother for his brother or for his sister when they die because the consecration of his God is upon his head 8. All the days of his separation he is holy unto the LORD 9. And if any man die very suddenly by him and he hath defiled the head of his consecration then he shall shave his head in the day of his cleansing on the seventh day shall he shave it 10. And on the eighth day he shall bring two turtles or two young pigeons to the priest to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation 11. And the priest shall offer the one for a sin-offering and the other for a burnt-offering and make an atonement for him for that he sinned by the dead and shall hallow his head that same day 12. And he shall consecrate unto the LORD the days of his separation and shall bring a lamb of the first year for a trespass-offering but the days that were before shall be lost because his separation was defiled 13. And this is the law of the Nazarite When the days of his separation are fulfilled he shall be brought unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation 14. And he shall offer his offering unto the LORD one he-lamb of the first year without blemish for a burnt-offering and one ew-lamb of the first year without blemish for a sin-offering and one ram without blemish for peace-offerings 15. And a basket of unleavened bread cakes of fine flour mingled with oyl and wafers of unleavened bread anointed with oyl and their meat-offering and their drink-offerings 16. And the priest shall bring them before the LORD and shall offer his sin-offering and his burnt-offering 17. And he shall offer the ram for a sacrifice of peace-offerings unto the LORD with the basket of unleavened bread the priest shall offer also his meat-offering and his drink-offering 18. And the Nazarite shall shave the head of his separation at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation and shall take the hair of the head of his separation and put it in the fire which is under the sacrifice of the peace-offerings 19. And the priest shall take the sodden shoulder of the ram and one unleavened cake out of the basket and one unleavened wafer and shall put them upon the hands of the Nazarite after the hair of his sepâ—ration is shavâ—n 20. And the priest shall wave them for a wave-offering before the LORD this is holy for the priest with the wave-breast and heave-shoulder and after that the Nazarite may drink wine 21. This is the law of the Nazarite who hath vowed and of his offering unto the LORD for his separation besides that that his hand shall get according to the vow which he vowed so he must do after the law of his separation 22. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 23. Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons saying On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel saying unto them 24. The LORD bless thee and keep thee 25. The LORD make his face shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee 26. The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee and give thee peace 27. And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel and I will bless them 2. A vow of a Nazarite i. e. A Religious promise of Abstinence for the Hebrew word signifies to separate or abstain Gen. 49.26 To separate themselves Or make themselves Nazarites Vnto the LORD By this Vow the Nazarite was separated to a greater measure of Sanctity and Obedience and therefore may be said to be separated unto the Lord As the Priests were whose Office and Employment required of them great degrees of Holiness 3. From wine and strong drink That is from Wine and any other Liquor that is apt to bring Drunkenness upon the drinker From new and old Wine says Onkelos The Priests are under the same Prohibition when they went into the Tabernacle Levit. 10.9 They who professed more than ordinary Sanctity were obliged to abstain from Wine as that which might make them forget the Law and might deprive them of the Power of judging of things a-right Prov. 31.5 Hos 4.11 Isa 28.7 with Levit. 10.10 11. 4. Separation Or Nazariteship See v. 1. Vine-tree Heb. Vine of the Wine 5. Rasor Judg. 13.5 1 Sam. 1.11 By Rasor here is meant any thing which took off the Hair Grow In token that he hath preserved himself from legal defilements For had he not he would have been obliged to cut off his Hair See v. 9. and Levit. 14.8 9. And therefore this is fitly subjoined to those words He shall be holy of which the growth of Hair was a proof 6. Dead body This was a Figure of dead Works which do really as a dead Body did legally defile the Man 7. He shall not make himself unclean c. This Law was also given to the Priest See the Notes on Levit. 21.1 Consecration Heb. Separation 9. Defiled Viz. By transgressing v. 6. His cleansing This day was the Seventh from his defilement according to the Law in this case Numb 19.11 12. 11. Sinned i. e. Contracted a Legal defilement by the Dead Hallow his head i. e. Sanctifie or separate his Head a-new 12. Lost Heb. Fall i. e. They shall not come into account as the Greek have it 14. His offering Both his Offering of Praise or Peace-offering for his having performed his Vow And also his Expiatory-offerings or Burnt and Sin-offerings in token of his need of God's Mercy and Pardon even when he had done his best 1 Cor. 4.4 15. Vnleavened bread See Levit. 7.12 And their meat-offering and their drink-offerings i. e. Besides what is mentioned before the ordinary Meat-offering and Drink-offerings of which see Numb 28. 18. And the Nazarite Act. 21.24 Shave This Shaving differs from that mentioned v. 9. which was for Uncleanness contracted whereas this was out of thankfulness for having fulfilled the Vow and for that reason the Hair was put into the fire under the Eucharistical or Peace-offering 19. The sodden shoulder This must be understood of the left shoulder because the right shoulder called the heave-shoulder Levit. 7.34 and in the 20th Verse of
to their necessity And so it was ordered afterward that the Sons of Kohâ—â—h had none of the Wagons because their share was to be taâ—â—â— on Shoulders v. 9. The Sons of Gershon had two Wagons allowed them they being the smallest number of all the Levites and having a greater Burden than the Kâ—â—â—thites But to the Sons of Merari who had charge of the far greatest Burden four Wagons are given 8. Ithamar See ch 4.33 9. Shoulders Ch. 4.6 8 10 11 12 14. with 2 Sam. 6.7 2 Chron. 15.13 10. Dedicating Things are then said to be dedicated when they are first applyed to their right end and use And such Dedications have in things of great moment been accompanied with solemn expressions of Joy and Devotion â— Chron. 7.5 7. Ezra 6.16 17. 2 Macoab 4.54 56. Joh. 10.22 In the day See v. 1. 12. Nahshon He offered first being of the Tribe of Judah which held the principal place among the Tribes and had the first Standard ch 2.3 The rest are reckoned up according to the order of their Encamping about the Sanctuary ch 2. Though Nahshon offered first and might upon that account be envyed and was the more conspicuous for the place he held yet is he so far from being upon that account magnified in this Holy Writ that he is the onely person among these Offerers who is not called here Prince of his Tribe 13. Meat-offering Levit. 2.1 16. Sin-offering Levit. 4.23 19. He offered See Envy and Ill-will Vain-boasting and Contempt of each other are very incident to Men of equal Authority and Place when they are to represent their several Tribes and Families and express their Munificence For the preventing of which and of any occasion thereof we have an intimation of these following Remedies I. The Order in which they were to offer was provided for by the placing them about the Sanctuary by Divine Appointment ch 2. II. Some of their Gifts were presented together viz. the Wagons and Oxen v. 3 6. III. Their Gifts were all equal IV. There is a particular recital of the things which every Prince offered at large V. The First-offerer who was most likely to be envyed is not called a Prince See v. 12. 84. In the day See the Notes on v. 1. compared with v. 88. 89. Into the tabernacle At least into the Holy Place and then he heard the voice thither from the Most Holy Him That is God CHAP. VIII The ARGUMENT Of lighting the lamps in the Holy Place The manner of Consecrating the Levites They are taken in lieu of the First-born and given to the Priests Of the Age and time of the Levites Service 1. AND the LORD spake unto Moses saying 2. Speak unto Aaron and say unto him When thou lightest the lamps the seven lamps shall give light over against the candlestick 3. And Aaron did so he lighted the lamps thereof over against the candlestick as the LORD commanded Moses 4. And this work of the candlestick was of beaten gold unto the shaft thereof unto the flowers thereof was heaten work according unto the pattern which the LORD had shewed Moses so he made the candlestick 5. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 6. Take the Levites from among the children of Israel and cleanse them 7. And thus shalt thou do unto them to cleanse them Sprinkle water of purifying upon them and let them shave all their flesh and let them wash their clothes and so make themselves clean 8. Then let them take a young bullock with his meat-offering even fine flour mingled with oyl and another young bullock shalt thou take for a sin-offering 9. And thou shalt bring the Levites before the tabernacle of the congregation and thou shalt gather the whole assembly of the children of Israel together 10. And thou shalt bring the Levites before the LORD and the children of Israel shall put their hands upon the Levites 11. And Aaron shall offer the Levites before the LORD for an offering of the children of Israel that they may execute the service of the LORD 12. And the Levites shall lay their hands upon the â—eads of the bullocks and thou shalt offer the one for a sin-offering and the other for a burnt-offering unto the LORD to make an atonement for the Levites 13. And thou shalt set the Levites before Aaron and before his sons and offer them for an offering unto the LORD 14. Thus shalt thou separate the Levites from among the children of Israel and the Levites shall be mine 15. And after that shall the Levites go in to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation and thou shall cleanse them and offer them for an offering 16. For they are wholly given unto me from among the children of Israel instead of such as open every womb even in stead of the first-born of all the children of Israel have I â—aâ—en them unto me 17. For all the first-born of the children of Israel are mine both 〈◊〉 and beast on the day that I smote every first-born in the land of Egypt I sanctified them for my self 18. And I have taken the Levites for all the first-born of the children of Israel 19. And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and to his sons from among the children of Israel to do the service of the children of Israel in the tabernacle of the congregation and to make an atonement for the children of Israel that there be no plague among the children of Israel when the children of Israel come nigh unto the sanctuary 20. And Moses and Aaron and all the congregation of the children of Israel did to the Levites according unto all that the LORD commanded Moses concerning the Levites so did the children of Israel unto them 21. And the Levites were purified and they washed their clothes and Aaron offered them as an offering before the LORD and Aaron made at atonement for them to cleanse them 22. And after that went the Levites in to do their service in the tabernacle of the congregation before Aaron and before his sons as the LORD had commanded Moses concerning the Levites so did they unto them 23. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 24. This is it that belongeth unto the Levites from twenty and five years old and upward they shall go in to wait upon the service of the tabernacle of the congregation 25. And from the age of fifty years they shall cease waiting upon the service thereof and shall serve â—â— more 26. But shall minister with their brethren in the tabernacle of the congregation to keep the charge and shall do no service Thus shalt thou do unto the Levites touching their charge 2. When thou lightest c. Exod. 25.37 and 40.25 The Hebrew word implies lifting up which consists very well with our rendring this lifting up being in order to lighting 3. Over against the candlestick Heb. Over against the face of the candlestick i. e. To the other side of the Sanctuary
which had no Windows where the Table of Shew-bread stood See Exod. 25.37 and the Vulgar Latin in this place 4. And this work c. See Exod. 25.31 Beaten work See Exod. 25.18 6. Levites i. e. The remainder of the Tribe beside the Priests 7. Water of purifying i. e. The Water made with the Ashes of a Red Heifer of which see ch 19. Let them shave c. Heb. Let them cause a rasor to pass over See Levit. 14.8 9. Numb 6.9 8. A young bullock viz. for a burnt-offering v. 12. which though first named here was to be offered in the second place His meat-offering See Numb 28.12 10. Put their hands As the Offerer was wont to do by his Sacrifice so the Representatives of the Israelites at least are required thus to dedicate the Levites in lieu of their First-born 11. Offer Heb. Wave Offering Heb. Wave-offering The Latin renders it Gift Eph. 4.8 11. They may execute c. Heb. They may be to execute 14. Mine Chap. 3.45 17. For all the first-born Exod. 13.2 ch 3.13 Luk. 2.23 19. A gift Heb. Given The Levites were subject to the Priests and were to minister to them in the service of the Sanctuary To make an atonement Not to offer Sacrifices which was the Office of the Priests but to make an Atonement as they ministred to the Priests who did it and as in the People's room and stead they worshipped God according to his own direction and by that means kept off from the People the tokens of God's Anger and Displeasure due to the Despisers and Profaners of his Worship 24. From twenty and five years See the Notes on chap. 4.3 To wait Heb. To war the warfare 25. Cease waiting upon the service Heb. Return from the warfare of the service CHAP. IX The ARGUMENT The Law of the Passeover repeated A Second Passeover allowed for the Vnclean or the Absent The Cloud attends upon the Tabernacle and guides the Israelites in their Removings 1. AND the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai in the first month of the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt saying 2. Let the children of Israel also keep the passeover at his appointed season 3. In the fourteenth day of this month at even ye shall keep it in his appointed season according to all the rites of it and according to all the ceremonies thereof shall ye keep it 4. And Moses spake unto the children of Israel that they should keep the passeover 5. And they kept the passeover on the fourteenth day of the first month at even in the wilderness of Sinai according to all that the LORD commanded Moses so did the children of Israel 6. And there were certain men who were defiled by the dead body of a man that they could not keep the passeover on that day and they came before Moses and before Aaron on that day 7. And those men said unto him We are defiled by the dead body of a man wherefore are we kept back that we may not offer an offering of the LORD in his appointed season among the children of Israel 8. And Moses said unto them Stand still and I will hear what the LORD will command concerning you 9. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 10. Speak unto the children of Israel saying If any man of you or of your posterity shall be unclean by reason of a dead body or be in a journey afar off yet he shall keep the passeover unto the LORD 11. The fourteenth day of the second month at even they shall keep it and eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs 12. They shall leave none of it unto the morning nor break any bone of it according to all the ordinances of the passeover they shall keep it 13. But the man that is clean and is not in a journey and forbeareth to keep the passeover even the sâ—â—e soul shall be cut off from his people because he brought not the offering of the LORD in his appointed season that man shall bear his sin 14. And if a stranger shall sojourn among you and will keep the passeover unto the LORD according to the ordinance of the passeover and according to the manner thereof so shall he do ye shall have one ordinance both for the stranger and for him that was born in the land 15. And on the day that the tabernacle was reared up the cloud covered the tabernacle namely the tent of the testimony and at even there was upon the tabernacle as it were the appearance of fire untill the morning 16. So it was alway the cloud covered it by day and the appearance of fire by night 17. And when the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle then after that the children of Israel journeyed and in the place where the cloud abode there the children of Israel pitched their tents 18. At the commandment of the LORD the children of Israel journeyed and at the commandment of the LORD they pitched as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they rested in the tents 19. And when the cloud tarried long upon the tabernacle many days then the children of Israel kept the charge of the LORD and journeyed not 20. And so it was when the cloud was a few days upon the tabernacle according to the commandment of the LORD they abode in their tents and according to the commandment of the LORD they journeyed 21. And so it was when the cloud abode from even unto the morning and that the cloud was taken up in the morning then they journeyed whether it was by day or by night that the cloud was taken up they journeyed 22. Or whether it were two days or a month or a year that the cloud tarried upon the tabernacle remaining thereon the children of Israel abode in their tents and journeyed not but when it was taken up they journeyed 23. At the commandment of the LORD they rested in the tents and at the commandment of the LORD they journeyed they kept the charge of the LORD at the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses 1. IN the first month viz. When the Passeover was to be kept Exod. 12.2 3. This was before the numbring of the People See ch 1.1 2. Keep Exod. 12.1 Levit. 23.5 ch 28.16 Deut. 16.2 This is a special command to the Israelites For the Passeover was annexed to the Land of Canaan in its first Institution Exod. 12.25 Nor do we find that it was at any time beside this kept in the Wilderness or that they were any farther obliged to it in the Wilderness where they might not be provided with Lâ—â—be and where they continued in their Uncircumcision Exod. 12.48 with Josh 5.5 3. At even Heb. Between the two evenings According to all the rites c. i. e. According to all the Rites c. which were standing and perpetual and not peculiar to the Passeover of Egypt See Exod. 12.43 c. 6. Who were
defiled by the dead c. Such as these might not keep the Passeover not because it was so provided at the first Institution of it but by some other Laws which were made afterward by which they were forbidden the use of Holy Things and coming into the Sanctuary during their Uncleanness Levit. 1.20 chap. 22.3 Numb 5.2 and ch 19.11 They came before Moses c. Though there were a Law made which excluded him that was defiled by the Dead from the Camp chap. 5.2 yet was not this Law made till afterwards Compare ch 1.1 with ch 9.1 Nor was such a person excluded from the Leviâ—â— Camp where Moses and Aaron were but from the Sanctuary onely See the Notes on ch 5.2 7. An offering of the LORD i◠〈◊〉 Oblation or Gift â—â—â—scribed by him and dedicated to his Honour For so the Hebrew word Corban here used signifies sometime and not that which was offered upon the Altar Mark 7.11 10. Shall be unclean by reason of a dead body Tho' this Uncleanness be onely named yet from what hath been said on v. 6. it is credible That other Uncleanness of as great a degree as this did also put a barr to the Celebration of the Passeover Afar off i. e. So far off as that he could not be present at the place which the Lord should choose 12. Nor break Exod. 12.46 Joh. 10.36 To all the ordinances c. i. e. All the standing Ordinances for there were some peculiar to the first Passeover in Egypt viz. The taking up the Lamb on the tenth day Exod. 12.3 striking the Blood on the two Side-posts and on the upper Door-post ch 12.7 with Loins girded and Shooes on their Feet c. v. 11. Such as were 1. The keeping it in the Evening v. 11. with Exod. 12.6 2. With unleavened Bread and bitter Herbs v. 11. with Exod. 12.8 3. The leaving none of it to the morning v. 12. with Exod. 12.8 4. Not breaking a Bone of it v. 12. with Exod. 12.46 5. The same Law for the Stranger and Native v. 14. with Exod. 12.49 14. Ye shall haâ—e one Ordinance c. Exod. 12.49 15. On the day Exod. 40.34 The tent of the testimony i. e. The Holy of â—olies where the Law or Testimony was lodged 18. At the Commandment of the LORD The Cloud was the sign of God's Will Psal 105.39 As long 1 Cor. 10.1 19. Tarried long Heb. prolonged Kept the charge of the LORD i. e. They followed the direction which God gave them by the Cloud and continued in their Camp round about the Tabernacle and journeyed not 21. Abode Heb. Was. 22. Abode in their tents Exod. 40.36 37. 23. By the hand of Moses That is by the Ministery of Moses who was their Law-giver and Directer under God CHAP. X. The ARGUMENT Of the two Silver Trumpets and of their Vse The Israelites remove from the Wilderness of Sinai to that of Paran The Order of their March Moses desires Hobab not to depart What Moses said at the Removing and Resting of the Ark. 1. AND the LORD spake unto Moses saying 2. Make thee two trumpets of silver of an whole piece shalt thou make them that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly and for the journeying of the camps 3. And when they shall blow with them all the assembly shall assemble themselves to thee at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation 4. And if they blow but with one trumpet then the princes which are heads of the thousands of Israel shall gather themselves unto thee 5. When ye blow an alarm then the camps that lie on the east-parts shall go forward 6. When ye blow an alarm the second time then the camps that lie on the south-side shall take their journey they shall blow an alarm for their journeys 7. But when the congregation is to be gathered together you shall blow but you shall not sound an alarm 8. And the sons of Aaron the priests shall blow with the trumpets and they shall be to you for an ordinance for ever throughout your generations 9. And if you go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets and ye shall be remembred before the LORD your God and ye shall be saved from your enemies 10. Also in the day of your gladness and in your solemn days and in the beginnings of your months ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt-offerings and over the sacrifices of your peace-offerings that they may be to you for a memorial before your God I am the LORD your God 11. And it came to pass on the twentieth day of the second month in the second year that the cloud was taken up from off the tabernacle of the testimony 12. And the children of Israel took their journeys out of the wilderness of Sinai and the cloud rested in the wilderness of Paran 13. And they first took their journey according to the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses 14. In the first place went the standard of the camp of the children of Judah according to their armies and over his host was Nahshon the son of Amminadab 15. And over the host of the tribe of the children of Issachar was Nethaneel the son of Zuar 16. And over the host of the tribe of the children of Zebulun was Eliab the son of Helon 17. And the tabernacle was taken down and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari set forward bearing the tabernacle 18. And the standard of the camp of Reuben set forward according to their armies and over his host was Elizur the son of Shedeur 19. And over the host of the tribe of the children of Simeon was Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai 20. And over the host of the tribe of the children of God was Eliosaph the son of Deuel 21. And the Kohathites set forward bearing the sanctuary and the other did set up the tabernacle against they came 22. And the standard of the camp of the children of Ephraim set forward according to their armies and over his host was Elishama the son of Ammihud 23. And over the host of the tribe of the children of Manasseh was Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur 24. And over the host of the tribe of the children of Benjamin was Abidan the son of Gideoni 25. And the standard of the camp of the children of Dan set forward which was the rere-word of all the camps throughout their hosts and over his host was Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai 26. And over the host of the tribe of the children of Asher was Pagiel the son of Ocran 27. And over the host of the tribe of the children of Nephtali was Ahira the son of Enan 28. Thus were the journeyings of the children of Israel according to their armies when they set forward 29. And Moses said unto Hobab the son of Raguel the Midianite Moses's father-in-law We are journeying
of hand if I have found favour in thy sight and let me not see my wretchedness 16. And the LORD said unto Moses Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people and officers over them and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation that they may stand there with thee 17. And I will come down and talk with thee there and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee and will put it upon them and they shall bear the burthen of the people with thee that thou bear it not thy self alone 18. And say thou unto the people Sanctifie your selves against to morrow and ye shall eat flesh for you have wept in the ears of the LORD saying Who shall give us flesh to eat for it was well with uâ— in Egypt therefore the LORD will give you flesh and ye shall eat 19. Ye shall not eat one day nor two days nor five dâ—ys neither ten days nor twenty days 20. But even a whole month untill it come out at your nostrils and it be lothsome unto you because that ye have despiseâ— the LORD which is among you and have wept before him saying Why came we forth out of Egypt 21. And Moses said The people amongst whom I am â—â—t six hundred thousand foot men and thou hast said I will giâ—e them flesh that they may eat a whole month 22. Shaâ—â— the flocks and the â—â—rdâ— be slain for them to suffice them or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them to suffice them 23. And the LORD said unto to Moses Is the LORD's hand waxed short thou shalt see now whether my words shall come to pass unto thee or not 24. And Moses went out and told the people the words of the LORD and gathered the seventy men of the elders of the people and set them round about the tabernacle 25. And the LORD came down in a cloud and spake unto him and took of the spirit that was upon him and gave it unto the seventy elders and it came to pass that when the spirit rested upon them they prophesied and did not cease 26. But there remained two of the men in the camp the name of the one was Eldad and the name of the other Medad and the spirit rested upon them and they were of them that were written but went not out unto the tabernacle and they prophesied in the camp 27. And there ran a young man and told Moses and said Eldad and Medad do prophesie in the camp 28. And Joshua the son of Nun the servant of Moses one of his young men answered and said My lord Moses forbid them 29. And Moses said unto him Enviest thou for my sake would God that all the LORD's people were prophets and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them 30. And Moses got him into the camp he and the elders of Israel 31. And there went forth a wind from the LORD and brought quails from the sea and let them fall by the camp as it were a days journey on this side and as it were a days journey on the other side round about the camp and as it were two cubits high upon the face of the earth 32. And the people stood up all that day and all that night and all the next day and they gathered the quails he that gathered least gathered ten homers and they spread them all abroad for themselves round about the camp 33. And while the flesh was yet between their teeth ere it was chewed the wrath of the LORD was kindled against the people and the LORD smote the people with a very great plague 34. And he called the name of that place Kibroth-hattaavah because there they buried the people that lusted 35. And the people journeyed from Kibroth-hattaavah unto Hazeroth and abode at Hazeroth 1. COmplained Heb. Were as it were complainers They began to mutter and were discontent and uneasie upon their three days march ch 10.38 but did not openly mutiny and complain as they did afterwards It displeased the LORD Heb. It was evil in the ears of the LORD The LORD heard it It is not said that Moses heard it as it is v. 10. when they openly complained Fire of the LORD i. e. A Fire which the Lord sent among them Burnt Psal 78.21 2. Was quenched Heb. Sunk 3. Taberah That is Burning 4. Mixt multitude As Exod. 12.38 Fell a lusting Heb. Lusted a lust Wept again Heb. Returned and wept Who shall give 1 Cor. 10.6 This was a Sin distinct from that mentioned v. 1. and a greater and more severely punished compare v. 1. with v. 33. and much aggravated upon the following accounts I. Their Discontent v. 1. was improved into an open complaint v. 4 5 6. II. They declared their Distrust of God's Power and Providence of which they had had great experience v. 4. and v. 18. with Psal 78.22 III. They unthankfully despised God and his former Mercies v. 6 7 20. IV. They covetously desire Flesh when they had much Cattel of their own Exod. 12.32 38. with Numb 32.4 V. And this they did after God had plentifully provided for their natural necessities Exod. 16.2 5. Freely Without price or for a very mean price The over-flowing of Nile may well be supposed to afford great plenty and besides that some of the Egyptians at least by their Religion could not lawfully taste them Herodot Book II. nor yet the Onions c. which follow 6. Dried away Like the Earth that is parched and rendered barren for want of moisture 7. The Manna Exod. 16.14 31. The following words give us an account that the Manna ought not to have been contemned as here it is For 1. It was pleasant to the sight 2. Of a delightfull taste 3. Fit to be dressed and prepared several ways or with great variety 4. It was fresh every morning 5. And easily obtained Colour thereof as the colour of Heb. The eye of it as the eye of Bdellium Chrystal say the Greek See Exod. 16.31 8. Fresh oyl It had the taste at once of Oyl and Honey two of the choicest provisions of nature Exod. 16.31 12. As a nursing-father That is as one who though he want not Compassion yet cannot quiet a sucking Child as a nursing Mother by her Breast 15. Let me not see my wretchedness i. e. Let me not suffer To see death is to die Luk. 2.26 Psal 89.48 To see Salvation is to be saved Psal 91.16.50.23 And to see Labour and Sorrow is to suffer or to be miserable Jer. 20.18 16. Elders Men at least grave for Wisedom and of Place and Authority who are called Officers Such there were in Egypt Exod. 5.14 And were to be in the Land of Promise Deut. 16.18 And by the advice of Jethro Rulers had been chosen to judge in Civil and smaller Matters Exod. 18.22 26. and of least difficulty Stand there viz. That they may thereby be
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
came a People who inhabited Greece or the Isles of the Gentiles Gen. 10.5 and thence a Colony transplanted into Italy Hence Chittim sometimes denotes Greece 1 Maccab. 1.1 and ch 8.5 Sometimes Italy Dan. 11.30 and so the Vulgar renders the word here And in this place it may well denote both Greece and Italy Shall afflict Asshur i. e. Shall afflict the Eastern Empire which was verified by Alexander of Macedonia and by the Romans afterward who subdued Greece and the People whom the Greeks had subdued Afflict Eber i. e. The Hebrews who were afflicted by Antiochuâ— and destroyed by Titus and Vespasian He also shall perish i. e. Chittim The Greeks are perished long since and the Roman Empire in great measure also CHAP. XXV The ARGUMENT The Israelites sin at Shittim they are joined to Baal-Peor The Lord is angry with them Zimri and Cozbi are slain by Phinehas and his Zeal was pleasing to God The Midianites are to be punished 1. AND Israel abode in Shittim and the people begun to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab 2. And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods and and the people did eat and bowed down to their gods 3. And Israel joined himself unto Baal-peor and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel 4. And the LORD said unto Moses Take all the heads of the people and hang them up before the LORD against the sun that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away from Israel 5. And Moses said unto the judges of Israel Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baal-peor 6. And behold one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation 7. And when Phinehas the son of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest saw it he rose up from amongst the congregation and took a javelin in his hand 8. And he went after the man of Israel into the tent and thrust both of them through the man of Israel and the woman through her belly So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel 9. And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand 10. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 11. Phinehas the son of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel while he was zealous for my sake among them that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousie 12. Wherefore say Behold I give unto him my covenant of peace 13. And he shall have it and his seed after him even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood because he was zealous for his God and made an atonement for the children of Israel 14. Now the name of the Israelite that was slain even that was slain with the Midianitish-woman was Zimri the son of Salu a prince of a chief house among the Simeonites 15. And the name of the Midianitish woman that was slain was Cozbi the daughter of Zur he was head over a people and of a chief house in Midian 16. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 17. Vex the Midianites and smite them 18. For they vex you with their wiles wherewith they have beguiled you in the matter of Peor and in the matter of Cozbi the daughter of a prince of Midian their sister which was slain in the day of the plague for Peor's sake 1. SHittim Chap. 33.49 This is called Abel-Shittim and was in the Plains of Moab With the daughters of Moab And with those of Midian also as appears from v. 6 17 18. chap. 31.16 Both these People were conf jederate against Israel chap. 22.7 2. The people did eat That is They did eat of their Sacrifices as the Greek have it and by eating of the remaining parts of the Sacrifice were guilty of Idolatry 1 Cor. 10.20 21. And this sense of the words is confirmed from the words of the Psalmist They joined themselves unto Baal-peor and ate the sacrifices of the dead Ps 106.28 What they did was expressly against their Law Exod. 34.15 and was the contrivance of Balaam who was the Contriver of this Mischief to Israel to eat things sacrificed to Idols Rev. 2.14 3. Baal-peor Baal signifies a Lord or Master and is a more common name of an Idol or false God Peor was an Hill where this Idol was worshipped chap. 23.28 4. Take all the heads of the people Deut. 4.3 Josh 22.17 By the heads of the people here is meant the Judges of Israel as they are called v. 6. viz. The principal Officers among them By their assistance the People who had sinned were to be punished as appears from v. 6. Hang them up i. e. The People who had sinned and not all the Heads of the People for they were concerned in the execution of the Sentence v. 6. See Selden de Synedriis l. 2. c. 1. Against the sun i. e. Publickly and openly It was also provided that those who were hanged should be taken down the same day Deut. 21.22 23. 6. In the sight c. Great was the sin of this Man who durst transgress openly before Moses and the People and at such a time when they were mourning for the Calamity which threatned them and as is probable even after the Plague was begun and at least some of the Offenders had been exemplary in their punishment v. 8. 7. When Phinehas c. Psal 106.30 1 Maccab. 2.54 What Phinehas did will by no means be a warrant to private persons to put the greatest Malefactors to death For besides that Phinehas was one of considerable Authority v. 7. and who wanted not Commission v. 5. It is certain God approved of the action v. 11. and it may well be concluded that as he did it not without the consent of Moses so he did it by the direction of God himself 9. Those that died c. 1 Cor. 10.8 The seeming difference between these words and those of St. Paul is easily reconciled For allowing one thousand to be slain by the Judges v. 5. St. Paul gives a just account of the number of them who died of the Pestilence What we render Plague here does not signifie Pestilence onely but any other sudden stroke and may therefore comprehend the Destruction that befell them from the Judges as well as that which God immediately inflicted 11. Phinehas Ps 106.30 12. Behold I give unto him c. Ecclus 45.24 1 Mac. 2.54 The covenant of peace is expressed v. 13. by an everlasting Priesthood The Office of a Priest was that of a Mediator between God and Man and the End of the Sacrifices and Incense the Type of Prayers was to procure God's Favour Numb 16.47 48. 13. His seed after him c. This was made good we find his Posterity recorded to the Captivity 1 Chron. 6. from v.
LORD 6. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 7. The daughters of Zelophehad speak right thou shalt surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father's brethren and thou shalt cause the inheritance of their father to pass unto them 8. And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel saying If a man die and have no son then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his daughter 9. And if he have no daughter then ye shall give his inheritance unto his brethren 10. And if he have no brethren then ye shall give his inheritance unto his father's brethren 11. And if his father have no brethren then ye shall give his inheritance unto his kinsman that is next to him of his family and he shall possess it and it shall be unto the children of Israel a statute of judgment as the LORD commanded Moses 12. And the LORD said unto Moses Get thee up into this mount Abarim and see the land which I have given unto the children of Israel 13. And when thou hast seen it thou also shalt be gathered unto thy people as Aaron thy brother was gathered 14. For ye rebelled against my commandment in the desart of Zin in the strife of the congregation to sanctifie me at the water before their eyes that is the water of Meribah in Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin 15. And Moses spake unto the LORD saying 16. Let the LORD the God of the spirits of all flesh set a man over the congregation 17. Which may go out before them and which may go in before them and which may lead them out and which may bring them in that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd 18. And the LORD said unto Moses Take thee Joshua the son of Nâ—â— a man in whom is the spirit and lay thine hand upon him 19. And set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation and give him a charge in their sight 20. And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient 21. And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD at his word shall they go out and at his word they shall come in both he and all the children of Israel with him even all the congregation 22. And Moses did as the LORD commanded him and he took Joshua and set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation 23. And he laid his hands upon him and gave him a charge as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses 1. ZElophehad Ch. 26.13 Josh 17.3 3. Died Chap. 14.35 and 26.64 65. Korah Chap. 16. In his own sin i. e. Not as a Ring-leader of any Rebellion or Sedition or as a more notorious Sinner than other Men but as a common and ordinary Sinner to whom yet Death is due 4. Done away Heb. Diminished Their Father being no notorious Sinner his Children might well plead for an Inheritance which these Women had a fair occasion to do in their Father's right at this time because the Summ of the People was just now taken in order to the dividing the Land among them chap. 26.53 5. Brought their cause before the LORD That is He enquired of God in this matter and to that purpose it is probable he went into the Tabernacle See chap. 7.89 and Exod. 25.22 9. Vnto his brethren That is Upon supposition that his Father be dead For if his Father be alive the Inheritance as the Jews say with great probability returns to him and comes not to his Brethren first excepting onely where the Widow of the deceased is married to a surviving Brother as may be collected from v. 10 11. The Father is supposed to be dead v. 10. it being very improbable otherwise that his Brethren should rather inherit than he especially when it is provided that the Inheritance should pass to him that is next of the Family of him who is deceased v. 11. And that the Brethren's claim is from the Father as they were his Children rather than as the Brethren of the deceased vid. Selden de Success cap. XI 12. Get thee up Deut. 32.49 Into this mount Abarim There were a Tract of Mountains so called in the Plains of Moab ch 33.47 This Mountain was called Nebo Deut. 32.49 And they are called Abarim it is like because they were near the passage which was over Jordan as the Hebrew word intimates 13. Aaron Chap. 20.24 14. Rebelled Ch. 20.24 See the Notes on ch 20.12 Water Exod. 17.7 17. Which may go out before them and which may go in before them i. e. Which may rule and govern them in War and Peace and lead them as a Shepherd doth his Flock Deut. 28.6 When Moses expressed his unfitness for Government he says I can no more go out and come in Deut. 31.2 See Psal 121.8 18. Spirit i. e. The Spirit of God enabling him for his great Office He was in this a Type of Jesus Christ Joh. 3.34 with Isa 11.2 Lay thine hand upon him i. e. By that Rite set him a-part to his Office See Numb 8.10 This laying on of Hands see v. 23. was followed with encrease of Gifts from God And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of Wisdom for Moses had laid his hands upon him Deut. 34.9 20. And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him i. e. Thou shalt not treat him barely as a Servant but admit him forthwith as a Partner in the Government as becomes him who is the Elect Judge or Ruler of his People 21. Ask counsel viz. In weighty and important Matters After the judgment of Vrim Exod. 28.30 CHAP. XXVIII The ARGUMENT Of the daily or continual Burnt-offering Of the additional Sacrifice on the Sabbath-day Of that of the New Moons Of that of the Passeover and Feast of Vnleavened Bread Of that of the Feast of Weeks 1. AND the LORD spake unto Moses saying 2. Command the children of Israel and say unto them My offering and my bread for my sacrifices made by fire for a sweet savour unto me shall ye observe to offer unto me in their due season 3. And thou shalt say unto them This is the offering made by fire which ye shall offer unto the LORD two lambs of the first year without spot day by day for a continual burnt-offering 4. The one lamb shalt thou offer in the morning and the other lamb shalt thou offer at even 5. And a tenth part of an ephah of flour for a meat-offering mingled with the fourth part of an hin of beaten oyl 6. It is a continual burnt-offering which was ordained in mount Sinai for a sweet savour a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD 7. And the drink-offering thereof shall be the fourth part of an hin for the one lamb in the holy place shalt thou cause the strong
her soul 7. And her husband heard it and held his peace at her in the day that he heard it then her vows shall stand and her bonds wherewith she bound her soul shall stand 8. But if her husband disallow her on the day that he heard it then he shall make her vow which she vowed and that which she uttered with her lips wherewith she bound her soul of none effect and the LORD shall forgive her 9. But every vow of a widow and of her that is divorced wherewith they have bound their souls shall stand against her 10. And if she vowed in her husband's house or bound her soul by a bond with an oath 11. And her husband heard it and held his peace at her and disallowed her not then all her vows shall stand and every bond wherewith she hound her soul shall stand 12. But if her husband hath utterly made them void on the day he heard them then whatsoever proceeded out of her lips concerning her vows or concerning the bond of her soul shall not stand her husband hath made them void and the LORD shall forgive her 13. Every vow and every binding oath to afflict the soul her husband may establish it or her husband may make it void 14. But if her husband altogether hold his peace at her from day to day then he establisheth all her vows or all her bonds which are upon her he confirmeth them because he held his peace at her in the day that he heard them 15. But if he shall any ways make them void after that he hath heard them then he shall bear her iniquity 16. These are the statutes which the LORD commanded Moses between a man and his wife between the father and his daughter being yet in her youth in her father's house 1. UNto the heads of the tribes Who were to impart it to the rest of the People whom it concerned 2. A man This denotes both the Sex as appears from v. 3. and a competent age Vow a vow unto the LORD i. e. Make a Religious Promise unto the Lord. Swear an oath c. i. e. Confirm his Vow with an Oath by calling God to witness Break Heb. Profane He shall do c. Provided what he vows be a lawful thing Mark 6.23 3. A woman Who is in Subjection as appears from what follows And therefore the Law extends to other Subjects who are not to dispose of themselves without the consent of their just Superiors A Woman is named because she is most subject Being in her father's house in her youth That is Being in the Family and under the Government of her Father and not disposed of in Marriage See v. 6 9. 5. In the day that he heareth i. e. Forth-with after it is come to his knowledge See v. 8 9 14 15. Shall forgive her Or Will forgive her i. e. Will not impute her not performing such a Vow unto her 6. She vowed Heb. Her vows were upon her 9. Every vow 〈◊〉 widow i. e. Every Vow made in her Widowhood and when she had power to dispose of her self and Actions 10. And if she vowed in her husband's house i. e. If she that is now a Widow or divorced did make her Vow during her Husband's life or before she was divorced from him This sense which is very natural distinguisheth this Law from that in the sixth Verse 11. All her vows shall stand Those Vows which she then made shall oblige her in her Widowhood 13. To afflict the soul Such are Vows of Fasting or Abstinence Levit. 16.29 15. But if he shall any ways make them void c. i. e. If the Husband after he hath by his silence established the Vow of his Wife shall by his Power and Authority over her hinder her from performing such a Vow the sin in this case shall not be imputed to the Wife who was ready to perform her Vow but to her Husband who restrained her CHAP. XXXI The ARGUMENT The Israelites overcome the Midianites and slay Balaam They saved the Women alive at which Moses is offended and commands them what they shall do with them and also to purify themselves Of dividing the Prey and of the Lord's Tribute out of it 1. AND the LORD spake unto Moses saying 2. Avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites afterward shalt thou be gathered unto thy people 3. And Moses spake unto the people saying Arm some of your selves unto the war and let them go against the Midianites and avenge the LORD of Midian 4. Of every tribe a thousand throughout all the tribes of Israel shall ye send to the war 5. So there were delivered out of the thousands of Israel a thousand of every tribe twelve thousand armed for war 6. And Moses sent them to the war a thousand of every tribe them and Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest to the war with the holy instruments and the trumpets to blow in his hand 7. And they warred against the Midianites as the LORD commanded Moses and they slew all the males 8. And they slew the kings of Midian beside the rest of them that were slain namely Evi and Rekem and Zur and Hur and Reba five kings of Midian Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword 9. And the children of Israel took all the women of Midian captives and their little ones and took the spoil of all their cattel and all their flocks and all their goods 10. And they burnt all their cities wherein they dwelt and all their goodly castles with fire 11. And they took all the spoil and all the prey both of men and of beasts 12. And they brought the captives and the prey and the spoil unto Moses and Eleazar the priest and unto the congregation of the children of Israel unto the camp at the plains of Moab which are by Jordan near Jericho 13. And Moses and Eleazar the priest and all the princes of the congregation went forth to meet them without the camp 14. And Moses was wroth with the officers of the host with the captains over thousands and captains over hundreds which came from the battel 15. And Moses said unto them Have ye saved all the women alive 16. Behold these caused the children of Israel through the counsel of Balaam to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD 17. Now therefore kill every male among the little ones and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him 18. But all the women-children that have not known a man by lying with him keep alive for your selves 19. And do ye abide without the camp seven days whosoever hath killed any person and whosoever hath touched any slain purifie both your selves and your captives on the third day and on the seventh day 20. And purifie all your raiment and all that is made of skins and all work of goats hair and all things
Atroth Shophan and Jaazer and Jogbehah 36. And Beth-nimrah and Beth-haran fenced cities and folds for sheep 37. And the children of Reuben built Heshbon and Elealeh and Kirjathaim 38. And Nebo and Baal-meon their names being changed and Shibmah and gave other names unto the cities which they builded 39. And the children of Machir the son of Manasseh went to Gilead and took it and dispossessed the Amorite which was in it 40. And Moses gave Gilead unto Machir the son of Manasseh and he dwelt therein 41. And Jair the son of Manasseh went and took the small towns thereof and called them Havoth-jair 42. And Nobah went and took Kenath and the villages thereof and called it Nobah after his own name 1. JAzer The Name of a place taken from the Amorites ch 21.32 Gilead A place famous for Pasture divided to the Reubenites and Gadites and the half Tribe of Manasseh Deut. 3.12 13. with Jer. 50.19 and Micah 7.14 3. Nimrah This place is called Beth-Nimrah v. 36. It is usual among the Hebrews in the names of places to cut off the former part Thus Jerusalem is sometimes called Salem Psal 76.2 and Shittim is put for Abel-Shittim ch 25.1 with ch 33.49 and Lehi for Ramath-Lehi Judg. 15.17 19. 7. Discourage Heb. Break. 8. Thus did your fathers That is They did discourage the Congregation See ch 13.31 32. 9. When Chap. 13.24 11. From twenty Chap. 14.28 29. Wholly followed me Heb. Fulfilled after me 12. The Kenezite He was so called from Kenaz 1 Chron. 4.13 15. compared with Josh 15.17 17. Because of the inhabitants i. e. Lest they should destroy them 20. Moses Josh 1.13 Before the LORD i. e. Before the Ark which was the Symbol of the Lord's Presence And this they did when the Congregation passed over Jordan before the Ark passed over Josh 4.11 it being expressly said that the Children of Reuben and Gad and half the Tribe of Manasseh passed over armed before the children of Israel v. 12. and that about forty thousand prepared for war passed over before the Lord unto battel v. 13. 22. Shall be your possession before the LORD i. e. You shall possess it with the Lord's approbation and leave 23. Your sin will find you out i. e. You shall be punished for your Disobedience Or as the Greek hath it Ye shall know your sin when Evils over-take you 27. But thy servants Josh 4.12 33. Moses gave Deut. 3.12 Josh 13.8 and 22.4 And unto half the tribe of Manasseh These are added by Moses there being more Land here than what was needfull for the Children of Gad and Reuben And the reason why he gave it to the Children of Manasseh was because they had dispossessed the Amorite and had thereupon a fairer pretence See v. 39. and compare it with Josh 17.1 34. Built Or repaired and fortified 38. Their names being changed They were changed upon the Conquest and probably upon the account of the Idolatry which their old Names were the Memorials of This may be presumed of Nebo and Baal-meon Baal or Bel was the name of an Idol and so was Nebo also Bel boweth down Nebo stoopeth says the Prophet Isa 46.1 Gave other names unto the cities Heb. They called by names the names of the cities 39. Machir Gen. 50.23 40. Gilead unto Machir i. e. He gave half Mount Gilead to the Posterity of Machir Deut. 3.12 13. See v. 39. 41. Jair the son of Manasseh Deut. 3.14 Jair was by his Mother's side of the Posterity of Manasseh 1 Chron. 2.21 22. CHAP. XXIII The ARGUMENT The several Removes or Journeys of the Israelites They are Commanded to destroy the Inhabitants of Canaan and their Monuments of Idolatry under a severe Penalty 1. THese are the journeys of the children of Israel which went forth out of the land of Egypt with their armies under the hand of Moses and Aaron 2. And Moses wrote their goings out according to their journeys by the commandment of the LORD and these are their journeys according to their goings out 3. And they departed from Rameses in the first month on the fifteenth day of the first month on the morrow after the passeover the children of Israel went out with an high hand in the sight of all the Egyptians 4. For the Egyptians buried all their first-born which the LORD had smitten among them upon their gods also the LORD executed judgments 5. And the children of Israel removed from Rameses and pitched in Succoth 6. And they departed from Succoth and pitched in Etham which is in the edge of the wilderness 7. And they removed from Etham and turned again unto Pi-hahiroth which is before Baal-zephon and they pitched before Migdol 8. And they departed from before Pi-hahiroth and passed through the midst of the sea into the wilderness and went three days journey in the wilderness of Etham and pitched in Marah 9. And they removed from Marab and came unto Elim and in Elim were twelve fountains of water and threescore and ten palm-trees and they pitched there 10. And they removed from Elim and encamped by the Red-sea 11. And they removed from the Red-sea and encamped in the wilderness of Sin 12. And they took their journey out of the wilderness of Sin and encamped in Dophkah 13. And they departed from Dophkah and encamped in Alush 14. And they removed from Alush and encamped at Rephidim where was no water for the people to drink 15. And they departed from Rephidim and pitched in the wilderness of Sinai 16. And they removed from the desart of Sinai and pitched at Kibroth-hattaavah 17. And they departed from Kibroth-hattaavah and encamped at Hazeroth 18. And they departed from Hazeroth and pitched in Rithmah 19. And they departed from Rithmah and pitched at Rimmon-parez 20. And they departed from Rimmon-parez and pitched in Libnah 21. And they removed from Libnah and pitched at Rissah 22. And they journeyed from Rissah and pitched in Kehelathah 23. And they went from Kebelatbab and pitched in mount Shapher 24. And they removed from mount Shapher and encamped in Haradah 25. And they removed from Haradah and pitched in Makheloth 26. And they removed from Makheloth and encamped at Tahath 27. And they departed from Tahath and pitched at Tarah 28. And they removed from Tarah and pitched in Mithcah 29. And they went from Mithcah and pitched in Hashmonah 30. And they departed from Hashmonah and encamped at Moseroth 31. And they departed from Moseroth and pitched in Bene-jaakan 32. And they removed from Bene-jaakan and encamped at Hor-hagidgad 33. And they went from Hor-hagidgad and pitched in Jotbathah 34. And they removed from Jotbathah and encamped at Ebronah 35. And they departed from Ebronah and encamped at Ezion-gaber 36. And they removed from Ezion-gaber and pitched in the wilderness of Zin which is Kadesh 37. And they removed from Kadesh and pitched in mount Hor in the edge of the land of Edom. 38. And Aaron the priest went up into mount Hor at the commandment of
tribe whereunto they are received so shall it be taken from the lot of our inheritance 4. And when the jubile of the children of Israel shall be then shall their inheritance be put unto the inheritance of the tribe whereunto they are received so shall their inheritance be taken away from the inheritance of the tribe of our fathers 5. And Moses commanded the children of Israel according to the word of the LORD saying The tribe of the sons of Joseph hath said well 6. This is the thing which the LORD doth command concerning the daughters of Zelopheâ—â—a saying Let them marry to whom they think best onely to the family of the tribe of their father shall they marry 7. So shall not the inheritance of the children of Israel remove from tribe to tribe for every one of the children of Israel shall keep himself to the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers 8. And every daughter that possesseth an inheritance in any tribe of the children of Israel shall be wise unto one of the family of the tribe of her father that the children of Israel may enjoy every man the inheritance of his fathers 9. Neither shall the inheritance remove from one tribe to another tribe but every one of the tribes of the children of Israel shall keep himself to his own inheritance 10. Even as the LORD commanded Moses so did the daughters of Zelophehad 11. For Mahlah Tâ—zah and Hogâ—â—b and Miâ—â—â—â—l and Naab the daughters of Zâ—lapâ—â—bad 〈◊〉 departing 〈…〉 fathers brothers 〈◊〉 12. And they were married into the 〈◊〉 of the sone of Manaâ—â—◠〈…〉 and their 〈…〉 in the tribe 〈…〉 their father 13. These are the commandments and the judgments which 〈◊〉 LORD commanded by the hand of Moses 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 children of Israel in the â—elus of Moab by 〈◊〉 〈…〉 1. AND the chief fathers of the families of the children of Gilead These principal Men it well became to take care of the common Interest of the whole Tribe but then they were it is likely that part of them who had not yet received their Inheritance it being their Interest but were to receive it in Canaan For it is evident that the Daughters of Zelophehad received their Inheritance within the Land of Canaan and not on the other side of Jordan Josh 17.3 2. The LORD Ch. 27.1 Josh 17.3 3. Then shall their inheritance c. This inconvenience might be very great and affect the other Tribes and bring in a great confusion insomuch that the distinction of Tribes might in time be lost for the Inheritance would be in the hands of another Tribe and the Children would be of the Tribe of their Father Whereunto they are received Heb. Vnto whom they shall be 4. And when the jubile c. q. d. This mischief will not be remedied by the year of Jubile which yet was designed for the preserving Inheritances in the Tribes and Families in which they were at the first because by these Marriages the Families will be lost being quite passed away to another Family and Tribe unto which these Daughters shall happen to marry 6. Marry Heb. Be 〈…〉 Too 〈…〉 the family of the tribes They were confined not onely to the Tribe but also to the Family 〈◊〉 appears from 〈…〉 v. 8. and also from the Reason of the Law â—hich â—â—â—â—ed the preservation of the Family as well as of the Tribe And the Daughters of Zelophehad when they begged an Inheritance said Why should the name of our father be done â—ay from among his family ch 25.4 And 〈…〉 reason why the Law was made of marrying a Brother's Wife Deut. 25.6 And agreeably hereunto these Daughters of Zelophehad marry to their first Cousins v. 11. 8. Every daughter that possesseth This Law concerns Daughâ—â—â—◠〈…〉 who might marry into other Tribes And not all Daughters but such onely as were Heiresses 9. Neither shall the inheritance c. Which by this Law was effectually prevented 11. For Mahlah c. ch â—◠〈◊〉 〈…〉 12. Into the families Heb. To some that were of the families THE Fifth Book of Moses CALLED DEUTERONOMY THE General Argument OF THE Fifth Book of MOSES CALLED DEUTERONOMY THIS Book is called Deuteronomy which in the Greek Tongue imports a Repetition of the Law And it is so called very fitly There being in this Divine Book a Repetition not onely of many Facts which had passed before but of many Laws also which were mentioned before When and where these words were spoken we are told ch 1.1 3. Moses puts the Israelites in mind of God's promise of the choice of Rulers the sending Spies and their Disobedience He goes on to mind them of their Passage by the Country of Esau and their going over the Brook Zered And their Victory over Sihon And for their farther encouragement to trust in God for the future he relates the Conquest of Og and the distribution of the conquered Land As also his Command to Joshua and he relates how he was barred from entring into the promised Land chap. 1 2 3. Then follows a most pathetical Exhortation to Obedience and Caution against Idolatry with an account of the Cities of Refuge set apart on this side of Jordan Moses proceeds to mind them of the Covenant in Horeb and repeats to them the Ten Commandments and presseth them to Obedience particularly to the Love and Fear of God They are warned against Communion with the Nations and assured of Victory chap. 4 5 6 7. Moses goes on to press the Israelites to Obedience and warns them not to forget God in their plenty and not to conceit well of themselves and to that purpose minds them of their frequent Rebellions He farther relates the Mercy of God in restoring the Two Tables and separating the Levites and from several Arguments proceeds to move them to Obedience chap. 8 9 10 11. He commands them to destroy all Monuments of Idolatry and to shew due regard to the place which God shou'd choose to place his Name there And not to spare the Enticers to Idolatry nor the City that falls into it He forbids them the disfiguring themselves in Mourning for the dead He lets them know what Creatures may and may not be eaten And gives them farther direction as to the Tithe of the third year chap. 12 13 14. He proceeds to speak of the year of Release of Hebrew Servants of the Firstlings of the Cattel of the several Feasts of Judges and Judgment of Idolatry and the Punishment thereof of hard Controversies and the Determination thereof of the Choice and Duty of a King chap. 15 16 17. Of the Portion of the Priests and Levites The Messiah promised The way of judging of a false Prophet of the Cities of Refuge of removing the Land-mark of Witnesses and the Punishment of a false Witness of Warring and the part of the Priest and Officers on this occasion of the Usage to be shewed towards those they War with of the Trees that are to be spared
in a Siege of the Expiation of an uncertain Murder of a Captive Woman to be taken for a Wife of a Rebellious Son and of him that is hanged chap. 18 19 20 21. Of Brotherly-kindness distinction of Sex of the nest of Birds of Battlements to Houses of Confusion of Kinds of Fringes of him that slanders his Wife of several sorts of Uncleanness Of entring into the Congregation of Purity of the Fugitive Servant of Filthiness Usury Vows and Trespass of Divorce of the newly Married Pledges Man-stealing Leprosie Humanity and Charity chap. 22 23 24. Of the number of Stripes to be inflicted of Muzzling the Ox of raising Seed to a Brother of the immodest Woman of unjust Weights and the Destruction of Amalek The Words of him that presented his First-fruits and of him that had paid his third years Tithe the Covenant between God and the People Of Writing the Law on Stones and Building an Altar of the Division of the Tribes on Gerizim and Ebal the Curses pronounced The Blessings on Obedience and the Curses on Disobedience chap. 25 26 27 28. Moses proceeds to exhort the Israelites to Obedience and denounceth Wrath against him that should flatter himself in an Evil course and shews the Miseries which their Disobedience would bring upon them He encourageth the Penitent sets Life and Death before them and continues to exhort them with great vehemence to Obedience as the way to be happy chap. 29 30. Moses encourageth the Israelites delivers a Copy of the Law to the Priests with a Command to read it publickly every Seventh year He fore-tells the Apostasie of the Israelites and appoints a Song as a Witness against them The Song follows setting forth the Divine Perfections and God's Care of the Israelites as also the Rebellions of the People Moses is required to go up to Nebo to take a view of Canaan before his approaching Death He sets forth the glorious Majesty of God blesseth the Tribes shews the great Priviledge of the Israelites chap. 31 32 33. After Moses had taken a view of the Land he died We have after this an account of his â—â—â—ial and Age of the Mourning of the People of his Successor and an Encomium of Moses chap. 34. Among other Objections against these Books of Moses and which are advanced to shew that Moses was not the Author of them I find this is one That there are in it a great many repetitions which Moses would not be guilty of And therefore 't is supposed rather a Collection of several Hands and of Rolls misplaced than the Work of so great and accurate a Person as Moses Now because this Objection if it have any force will bear hardest upon this Book called Deuteronomy therefore I have reserved the Consideration of it to this place and shall consider it more particularly with relation to the following Book And to that purpose shall desire the Reader to consider the following Particulars in order to his satisfaction in this matter I. That though here are many Repetitions of things mentioned before yet here is to be found very much new matter that had not been mentioned at all in the foregoing Books And so far this Divine Book is unexceptionable as to the Charge brought against it I shall not enlarge here but just touch upon some Heads Though Idolatry were forbidden before yet we find not so express a Law concerning the Enticers to it and concerning the Apostate City as we find here chap. 13. The Laws of abiding by the determination of the Judges and of Electing a King chap. 17. are new Laws The Prediction of a Succession of Prophets is â—o likewise chap. 18. And so is the Law concerning the Punishment of False-witnesses chap. 19.16 And so are those Laws concerning the Priests and Officers in time of War and that relating to the besieging a City chap. 20. The same may be said of the Laws concerning the Expiation of an uncertain Murder of a Captive taken to Wife of the Right of the First-born of the rebellious Son and those that were hanged mentioned chap. 21. We shall find more such Laws not mentioned any-where before chap. 22. and chap. 23. and chap. 24. and chap. 25 and 26 and 27 and 31. The Song of Moses and the Blessing of the Tribes are not to be found in the foregoing Books Here is in this Book very much matter intirely new II. Another great part of this Book consists of Motives to Obedience And though something to this purpose had been said before yet nothing in comparison to what is said in this Book And thus far again this Book is unexceptionable as to the Charge brought against it Here are to be found the most pathetick and powerfull and pressing Motives to Obedience of which see chap. 4 6 8 10 11 and 29. And who ever will take the pains to go over the several Topicks here laid before us will own this to be true And the Ministers that labour in the Word and Doctrine may hence furnish themselves with very moving Arguments to perswade the People to obey the Laws of God and to be seriously Religious And this part of the Book did very well become the inspired Writer of it For this Man of God did pursue the great Purpose of his Mission not onely when he laid before the People the Divine Laws but when he perswaded them to obey them He was God's Embassador and 't was not onely his business to declare God's Will but to press those to whom he had done that to obey it For this Exhortation to Obedience hath a direct tendency to obtain the great End of the wise Law-giver For he must be supposed always to appoint his Laws in order to have them kept And to that purpose they who preach these Laws directly serve the End of their Ministry when they represent to the People how much it is their Interest and their Duty to yield a ready and unfeigned Obedience to them III. As to those parts of this Book that are Repetitions they are either Repetitions of Matters of Fact or they are Repetitions of Laws Of each of these 't is no difficult thing to give a very fair account First As to Repetitions of Matters of Fact with which this Book begins and we have such Repetitions in the first three Chapters of this Book But then these are not bare and jojune Repetitions but are made use of to a noble purpose as will appear to the diligent Reader viz. To encourage the People from the Consideration of what God had already done to hope and trust in him for the time to come So that here we have the Alpplication of the History of those Facts to anâ— excellent End and Purpose Secondly As to the Repetitions of Laws ' tâ—â— as easie to give an account of them also We shall find very great advantages in these Repetitions if we read these Holy Books with that diligence and application which we ought to do As for instance
the great Stature of Og. After the cubit of a man That is according to the Cubit of a Man grown up and of an usual size which is about half a yard 12. The Cities Numb 32.33 Josh 13.8 c. 14. Havoth-jair Numb 32.41 15. Gilead viz. The half of it See verse 12. Vnto Machir That is to his Posterity 16. Half the valley For the right understanding of this place it is to be considered that the Hebrew word here translated Valley signifies sometimes a Valley and sometimes a River and in the latter sense is rendred in this Verse in the words immediately foregoing The river Arâ—â—â— And so it ought to be rendred here and so it is rendred by the Greek and Vulgar Latin in this place And what we render half the Valley imports as much as to the middle of the River viz. Emphatically of the River just before mentioned Their Land extended from Gilead unto the middle of the River Arnon The truth of this appears from other places viz. Josh 12.2 We have an account of the same place being the place where Sihon dwelt who is there said to have ruled from Aroer which is upon the bank of the river Arnon and from the middle of the river which last are the same words in the Hebrew which we find here rendred by half the Valley and from half Gilead Again Deut. 2.36 the same place is described viz. From Aroer which is by the brink of the river of Arnon and from the city that is by the river viz. Ar of Moab which stood within the River and which was a City they were not permitted to invade even unto Gilead And the border even unto the river Jabbok These words seem to be Elliptical The sense is And the border was even unto the river Jabbok 17. Vnder Ashdoth-Pisgah Or under the Springs of Pisgah or the Hill 18. Ye shall pass over c. Numb 32.20 Meet for the war Heb. Sons of power 20. Return Josh 22.4 21. Commanded Numb 27.18 24. Thy greatness and thy mighty hand viz. In giving us the Conquest over such powerfull Enemies as Sihon and Og. 25. I pray thee let me go over c. It is not unreasonable to suppose that Moses should think the Threatning of God reversible and it must needs be very desirable by him to see that Land which had been so long ago promised so much expected and so greatly vilified by them that had been sent from Kadesh-barnea to search the Land But besides this it may be said that he had a desire especially to see that place where God would choose to dwell which the Jews affirm is meant by the goodly Mountain as well as the remoter Parts of the promised Land in which was Lebanon 26. Was wroth Numb 20.12 chap. 1.37 27. Pisgah Or the Hill See Numb 27.12 Behold it This was a favour not granted to the Men that searched and that murmured 28. Charge Give him Commission to execute my Will Encourage i. e. Give him assurance of success 29. Beth-peor Or the house of Peor The name of a Place or City so called CHAP. IV. The ARGUMENT The Israelites are exhorted to Obedience by several great Motives Such as their own Interest and the Reasonableness of it They are particularly warned against Idolatry and that very powerfully They are obliged to teach the Law unto their Children Three Cities of Refuge are set a part by Moses 1. NOW therefore hearken O Israel unto the statutes and unto the judgments which I teach you for to do them that ye may live and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you 2. Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you neither shall you diminish ought from it that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you 3. Your eyes have seen what the LORD did because of Baal-peor for all the men that followed Baal-peor the LORD thy God hath destroyed them from among you 4. But ye that did cleave unto the LORD your God are alive every one of you this day 5. Behold I have taught you statutes and judgments even as the LORD my God commanded me that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it 6. Keep therefore and do them for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations which shall hear all these statutes and say surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people 7. For what nation is there so great who hath God so nigh unto them as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for 8. And what nation is there so great that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law which I set before you this day 9. Onely take heed to thy self and keep thy soul diligently lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life but teach them thy sons and thy sons sons 10. Specially the day that thou stood'st before the LORD thy God in Horeb when the LORD said unto me Gather me the people together and I will make them hear my words that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth and that they may teach their children 11. And ye came near and stood under the mountain and the mountain burnt with fire unto the midst of heaven with darkness clouds and thick darkness 12. And the LORD spake unto you out of the midst of the fire ye heard the voice of the words but saw no similitude onely ye heard a voice 13. And he declared unto you his covenant which he commanded you to perform even ten commandments and he wrote them upon two tables of stone 14. And the LORD commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and judgments that ye might do them in the land whither ye go over to possess it 15. Take ye therefore good heed unto your selves for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the LORD spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire 16. Lest ye corrupt your selves and make you a graven image the similitude of any figure the likeness of male or female 17. The likeness of any beast that is on the earth the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air 18. The likeness of any thing that creepeth on the ground the likeness of any fish that is in the waters beneath the earth 19. And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven and when thou seest the sun and the moon and the stars even all the host of heaven shouldest be driven to worship them and serve them which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven 20. But the LORD hath taken you and brought you forth out of the iron furnace even out of Egypt to be unto him a people of inheritance as
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
to see a foolish Nation taken into God's Church For so the Gentiles were while they served Idols and divers Lusts Rom. 1.21 22. Compare Act. 11.2 3. 1 Thes 2.15 16. Act. 22.21 22. 22. A fire is kindled c. This Verse gives an account after a figurative manner of the destruction of the Land in such words as seem to import the total consumption of it Hell signifies the lower parts of the Earth Numb 16.30 And what is rendred Earth may well be turned Land for this is a description of the destruction that God would bring upon the Land of the Israelites Compare Isa 1.7 with 2 King 25.9 24. Burnt with hunger i. e. Consumed as the vulgar renders it with hunger For a Famine like Fire does wast and consume where-ever it comes Lam. 4.8 9. Burning heat and with bitter destruction i. e. Fiery and fierce Distempers and mortal Diseases Compare Habak 3.5 and Psal 91.6 Serpents of the dust i. e. Serpents that creep upon and eat the Dust Gen. 3.14 25. Terror The dread of Death or perhaps some malignant and pestilential Disease 26 27. I said I would scatter them c. q. d. I would send them into some secret place where they should be forgotten among Men But I forbear to do that lest their Enemies who devour them should impute their Destruction to their own Valour and not to my righteous Judgment It is to be noted that fear is imputed to God after the manner of Men who refrain from doing things from that Principle Compare Exod. 32.12 and Numb 14.13 28. They i. e. Israelites and so this connects with v. 26. 29. O that they were wise c. i. e. O that they had the Wisdom to lay to heart and consider the sad Effects which will follow upon their wicked Lives 30. How should c. That is if God were on their side a very small Number would be strong enough to vanquish the greatest Force of their Enemies who are destitute of his Favour and Assistance 31. For their rock c. For the Heathens who worship Idols have not force enough to stand out against the Power of the God of Israel And have been forced to acknowledge no less See Exod. 14.25 Numb 23.22 1 Sam. 4.8 Jer. 40.3 Dan. 3.29.4.37.6.27 32. Their vine c. This verse connects with Verse 26 and contains the reason why God entertained those severe Thoughts against the Israelites viz. Because though they were as a choice Vine planted by him yet they had degenerated like Sodom and Gomorrah Compare Isa 1.10 and ch 5. v. 1 c. with the Words that follow here where their Wine or Fruit of this Vineyard which God had planted is compared to the Poison of Dragons c. 34. Is not this c. That is is not this Vengeance which I now threaten them withal though they flatter themselves in their present Impunity reserved for them and kept in store for them against the time when their Iniquities shall be full and call for it Compare Prov. 1.31 and Job 14.17 35. Their foot shall slide i. e. They shall be ready to fall At hand i. e. It will soon follow and tread upon the Heels of their Iniquity 36. For Or Nevertheless As this Hebrew Particle is rendred Isa 9.1 For here begins a new Argument as appears from the following Words speaking Comfort to the Israelites and Destruction to their Enemies Judge his people i. e. Plead their Cause Compare diligently with this Place Psal 135.14 None shut up or left Or Nothing shut up or left i. e. When they are destitute of all things and have nothing reserved or remaining Compare 1 King 14.10 and ch 21.21 and especially 2 King 14.26 37. He shall say i. e. God shall say to the Israelites Compare Judg. 10.14 38. Which did eat c. i. e. In whose service so many Sacrifices were consumed 40. I lift c. i. e. I swear which God is said to do here after the manner of Men who did it by lifting up their Hands 41. If I whet c. viz. I swear that if I whet c. 42. Drunk with blood This is a figurative Expression implying the abundance of Blood that should be shed From the beginning c. i. e. from such time as I shall begin to take vengeance c. 43. Rejoice O ye nations with his people Or Rejoice ye nations or Gentiles his people Compare Rom. 15.10 44. He and Hoshea or Joshua Joshua who succeeded Moses joined with him now in speaking the words of this Song and it is probable that for the future the care of teaching it belonged to him Compare chap. 31.22 23. 46. Set your hearts That is attend diligently and consider well and do not barely content your selves with the knowledge of these things Compare Ezek 40.4 47. For it is not a vain thing c. It is no unprofitable thing but that upon which your happiness depends Compare Rom. 10.5 50. Die in the mount Not presently but after thou hast blessed the children of Israel Chap. 33.1 51. Because ye trespassed Of the sin of Moses to which these words referr See the Note on Numb 20.12 CHAP. XXXIII The ARGUMENT The glorious Majesty of God The Blessing of the tribes of Israel None like to God The great privilege of the Israelites 1. AND this is the blessing wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death 2. And he said the LORD came from Sinai and rose up from Seir unto them he shined forth from mount Paran and he came with ten thousands of Saints from his right hand went a fiery law for them 3. Yea he loved the people all his saints are in thy hand and they sat down at thy feet every one shall receive of thy words 4. Moses commanded us a law even the inheritance of the congregation of Jacob. 5. And he was king in Jeshurun when the heads of the people and the tribes of Israel were gathered together 6. Let Reuben live and not die and let not his men be few 7. And this is the blessing of Judah and he said Hear LORD the voice of Judah and bring him unto his people let his hands be sufficient for him and be thou an help to him from his enemies 8. And of Levi he said Let thy Thummim and thy Vrim be with thy holy one whom thou didst prove at Massah and with whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah 9. Who said unto his father and to his mother I have not seen him neither did he acknowledge his brethren nor knew his own children for they have observed thy word and kept thy covenant 10. They shall teach Jacob thy judgments and Israel thy law they shall put incense before thee and whole burnt sacrifices upon thine altar 11. Bless LORD his substance and accept the work of his hands smite through the loins of them that rise against him and of them that hate him that they rise
Expeditions Hear his voice O Lord when in his distress he shall call upon thee and bring him safely back from the Wars to his own People Strengthen his hands O Lord and save him from his Enemies It hath been thought that Simeon is here included though he be not expressed And that may the more reasonably be supposed because not onely Simeon's Inheritance was within the Inheritance of Judah Josh 19.1 but he was also joined with Judah in those Wars against the Canaanites in which the Divine Aid is implored for Judah here in those Words Hear Lord which words import the reason of Simeon's Name Compare Gen. 29.33 8. Let thy Thummim and thy Vrim be with thy holy one The Vrim and the Thummim were placed in the Breast-plate and this Breast-plate was appropriate to Aaron and to the succeeding High-Priests the Sons of Aaron Exod. 28.30 and the meaning of these words is q. d. Let the great Dignity of the High-Priesthood continue in the Posterity of Aaron who was of this Tribe of Levi and dignified with this separate and holy Office Whom thou didst prove at Massah viz. Whom thou hast sufficiently tried and proved Massah signifies Trial or Proof and is not a proper Name And the words may be rendred Whom in proving thou didst prove And this Sense is confirmed by the Greek Vulgar Latin and Chaldee and Syriac and the Hebrew Text narrowly considered gives great ground to preferr this Sense Because the Particle here which we have translated as signifies in and is not the same which we translate at in the following Words Thou didst strive i. e. Whom thou didst punish or chastise as that Hebrew word does signifie Isa 49.25 Jer. 2.9 but not deprive of the Dignity of the Priesthood At the waters of Meribah See Numb 20.13 9. Who said c. Which Tribe of Levi in that general Defection Exod. 32. did upon God's Command without all respect of persons or favour to their nearest Relations slay those who had been guilty of Idolatry v. 28 29. They have observed c. Compare Mal. 2.5 6. and Psal 99.7 10. They shall teach c. That is the Priests the Levites Compare Ezek. 44.23 24. Levit. 10.11 11. His substance That is his Store Compare Deut. 8.18 He had no Inheritance but yet had his Provisions allotted him by God 12. The beloved of the LORD shall dwell in safety by him i. e. Benjamin favoured of God shall have his Inheritance in a safe place viz. about Jerusalem the Holy City and the Temple or Place of God's special Residence among the Israelites Compare Josh 18.11 28. He shall dwell between his shoulders i. e. His Temple shall be situated in his land as the Chaldee renders the last Words Compare Numb 34.11 and Josh 15.10 13. For the deep c. i. e. for the Springs in the lower Parts of the Land 14. Brought forth Or ripened By the Moon Or Monthly 15. Lasting hills See the Note on Gen. 49.26 16. Of him that dwelt in the bush That is Of God who appeared in the Bush to Moses Exod 3.2 17. Like the firstling of his bullock viz. for Strength and Power See Ps 68.9 The ten thousands c. Gen. 48.19 18. Rejoice Zebulun c. See the Notes on Gen. 49. v. 13. and v. 15. 19. Vnto the mountain viz. Of God's House as appears from the following words Compare Isa 2.2 3. Sacrifices of righteousness i. e. Sacrifices of Praise and Thanksgiving for the abundance of all things Compare Ps 4.5 with Psal 50.14 and 51.19 They shall suck i. e. They shall by their Traffick and Merchandise get great Riches which is expressed by the abundance of the Seas and treasures hid in the Sand Because their Wealth came to them from the Seas into their Ports or Sea-shoars 20. That enlargeth Gad That is who hath given him a large possession and will deliver him out of his straits See the Note on Gen. 49.19 As a lion and teareth c. These words speak his great Courage and Conquest over the Power of his Enemies Of both which see 1 Chron. 12.8 and 1 Chron. 5.8 with v. 19 20 21 22. 21. He provided the first part for himself That is he chose his Inheritance with the first on this side Jordan Numb 32.1 Portion of the Lawgiver i. e. That part of the Country which Moses the Lawgiver entred upon and which he divided Numb 32.33 Seated Heb. Cieled or hid They were protected in fenced Cities which they built for the security for their Wives and Children Num. 32.34 35 36. And he came c. That is after he had made provision for the safety of his Family and Cattel he accompanied the Leaders and Captains of the People and assisted them in conquering the Land and destroying the Inhabitants who were justly by God devoted to destruction Josh 1.14 22. Dan is a lion's whelp he shall leap from Bashan i. e. Dan is nimble and ready for Prey like a young Lion from Bashan a place of Flocks and Cattel that skips at the Lambs or other prey 23. Possess thou the west and the south His Tribe lay North and East but yet he was so situated that by Zebulun who lay next him and upon the Coast of the great Sea he could easily be possessed of the Commodities of the Sea which we here translate West Again lying upon the River Jordan Josh 19.33 he had the advantage of enjoying those Commodities which came down that River from the Southern parts of the Land 24. Dip his foot in oyl i. e. He shall have plenty of Oyl Compare Job 29.6 and Gen. 49.20 25. Thy shooes shall be iron c. Or under thy feet shall be iron Compare Deut. 8.9 As thy days so shall thy strength be i. e. Thy strength shall bear proportion to thy days That shall be great and they shall be many 26. Who rideth upon the heaven in thy help i. e. He does dispose the Heavens above for thy aid and assistance which he affords thee readily From the Clouds he sends Thunder and Lightning Hail and Tempest to the discomfiting his People's Enemies Thus had God done Exod. 9.23 and thus did he do afterward Josh 10.10 11. Compare Psal 18.9 10. In his excellency c. See Psal 68.33 34. 28. The fountain of Jacob i. e. Jacob's Posterity that came from him as from a Fountain which is here put for the Streams as in Psal 104.10 Compare Psal 68.26 and Isai 48.1 29. The sword of thy excellency i. e. It is not thy own Sword hath gotten thee the Victory and thy Renown but God's Assistance Thine enemies c. Such shall be thy Conquests and Success over the Power called here the high places of thine Enemies that they who are such shall yet not own their Enmity but at least yield a feigned subjection to thee Compare Deut. 32.13 Psal 44.18 and 66.3 CHAP. XXXIV The ARGUMENT Moses goeth up unto Mount Nebo and takes a view of the Land from thence He dieth there Of his Burial and Age and the time which the People mourned for him Joshua succeeds him Moses commended 1. AND Moses went up from the plains of Moab unto the mountain of Nebo to the top of Pisgah that is over against Jericho and the LORD shewed him all the land of Gilead unto Dan. 2. And all Naphtali and the land of Ephraim and Manasseh and all the land of Judah unto the utmost sea 3. And the south and the plain of the valley of Jericho the city of palm-trees unto Zoar. 4. And the LORD said unto him This is the land which I sware unto Abraham unto Isaac and unto Jacob saying I will give it unto thy seed I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes but thou shalt not go over thither 5. So Moses the servant of the the LORD died there in the land of Moab according to the word of the LORD 6. And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab over against Beth-Peor but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day 7. And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died his eye was not dim nor his natural force abated 8. And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days so the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended 9. And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom for Moses had laid his hands upon him and the children of Israel hearkened unto him and did as the LORD commanded Moses 10. And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses whom the LORD knew face to face 11. In all the signs and the wonders which the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land 12. And in all that mighty hand and in all the great terror which Moses shewed in the sight of all Israel 1. ALL the land of Gilead unto Dan i. e. The Land of Gilead on this side Jordan unto a place called afterwards Dan in the Northern Border of the Land of Canaan Josh 19.47 Judg. 18.29 2. Vtmost sea That is the Mediterranean-sea the Western Border of the Land See Deut. 11.24 5 According to the word c. That is as God had foretold he should 6. He buried him That is the Lord buried him by the Ministry of Angels or at least without imploying any of the Israelites therein Compare Gen. 7.16 No man knoweth of his sepulchre c. That there might be no occasion of Idolatry or Superstition given to the Israelites 8. Thirty days Compare Numb 20.29 9. Wisdom This is here mentioned as that which is very necessary in a Governour of others Compare 1 King 3.9 For Moses had laid his hands upon him The laying of the Hands of Moses is not brought in as a cause but as a sign of Joshua's Wisdom For Moses laid his Hands on him by God's direction and to make it known that he was the person appointed and fitted by God for the Employment he was called to Take thee Joshua the son of Nun a man in whom is the spirit and lay thine hands upon him Numb 27.18 10. There arose not a prophet c. See Numb 12.8 FINIS
be granted that the Book of the Law to be read to the People did not contain the whole Pentateuch Be all this as it will I cannot see how 't will serve the Purpose of this Author For 2. It does not follow from thence that Moses did not write the whole Pentateuch When 't is agreed that he wrote and deliver'd some parts of it does it thence follow he did not write the whole I shou'd have been much asham'd to have troubled the Reader with this passage of the Author above-written because there is nothing worthy of the Reader 's notice no Argument nor appearance of any But I think my self oblig'd fairly to represent what the Objector's say in this matter though they prove nothing Obj. XIII It is farther pretended that Moses cou'd not write those words where Joseph is brought in saying I was stollen away out of the Land of the Hebrews It is pretended that it was not then the Land of the Hebrews and that therefore Moses cou'd not term it so nor any Writer till after his time when the Israelites had invaded and taken possession of the Land To which I answer 1. That the Writer of this passage does onely report the words of Joseph so that the Objection bears as hard against a later Writer as against Moses For who-ever the Writer be 't is not the Writer that calls it the Land of the Hebrews he brings in Joseph calling it so If Joseph did not call it so the Relater or Writer hath not told us Truth and then the Objection bears against any Writer be it Moses or some other person and then in truth it is an Objection against the Book it self as not worthy of belief If Joseph did call it the Land of the Hebrews why might not Moses be the Writer as well as a later Author He was rather better able to report the Matter a-right than a later Writer as he liv'd nearer to that time when the words were spoken 2. That Joseph might at that time very properly call that Country the Land of the Hebrews And that he might do upon these accounts 1. Because it was the Land in which the Hebrews did at that time and had ever since the Time of Abraham done so inhabit Surely it may be call'd the Land of the Hebrews where the Hebrews dwelt and where they have dwelt for some-time past whether they dwelt there by permission or by force of Arms against the Will of the other Inhabitants 2. 'T was also that Land which was promis'd the Hebrews and particularly to Abraham the Father of that People And 3. The Hebrews had some propriety in that Land Abraham by purchase Gen. 23. Jacob by conquest Gen. 24. who afterwards bestow'd his part of the Land to Joseph by his Last Will and Testament ch 48.22 Obj. XIV It is pretended that Moses cou'd not write those words Gen. 35.21 And Israel journeyed and spread his Tent beyond the Tower of Edar This Tower of Edar or Tower of the Flock is by the Objector supposed for I see no offer of proof to be a Tower plac'd in After-times and put upon one of the Gates of the City of Jerusalem called the Sheep-gate and then this must be written not by Moses but by a later Writer who liv'd after that Tower was so call'd To which I answer 1. That here being nothing but the Objector's Supposition this Objection needs no Answer for 't is not reasonable that mere Suppositions shou'd be regarded without any shadow of proof 2. That it is by no means reasonable to suppose this Tower of Edar to be a Tower upon the Sheep-gate in Jerusalem One of the Ancients who is a more competent Judge than any later Objector affirms that the Tower of Edar was the place of the Shepherds near to Bethlehem where the Company of Angels declar'd the Nativity of our Saviour and that it was the place where Joseph fed his Flock and where the Shepherds that watched by night at the time of our Saviour's Birth Luke 2. heard the heavenly Host saying Glory be to God in the highest and on Earth peace good-will towards Men. Hieron quaest in Genes Idem ad Eustochium Epitaph Paul This account is confirm'd by the Context and also by the Targum of Jonathan on Gen. 35.21 who adds to the Text That this is the place from whence the King Messias shall be revealed in the last days And still this account receives a farther Confirmation from Micah 4.8 where we meet with the Tower of Edar in a most illustrious Prophecy of the Messias There are the same words with these of Gen. 35.21 For the Sheep-gate in Jerusalem there is no kind of Affinity between the words in the Hebrew that signifie the Sheep-gate and those which import the Tower of the Flock and that are used both in Genesis and in Micah And 't is therefore most like that this Name of the place continued from the Time of Jacob and therefore this can be no Objection of any moment in this case Obj. XV. It is pretended that Moses cou'd not write those words Gen. 20.7 Now therefore restore the man his wife for he is a Prophet It is pretended that the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which we render a Prophet was not used in the Time of Moses and that therefore Moses cou'd not write those words but a later Writer And this they attempt to prove from 1 Sam. 9.9 where 't is said Before-time in Israel when a man went to enquire of God thus he spake Come and let us go to the Seer for he that is now called a Prophet was before-time called a Seer To which I answer 1. That if this be any Objection against Moses then may we with as good Reason object this where-ever we find the word we here render Prophet in the Pentateuch We find this word in several places and shall we therefore conclude that Moses wrote none of those places If it has any force here it has the same every-where else And yet Mr. Hobbs allows that Moses did write the Book of Deuteronomy from chap. XI to the end of chap. XXVII and yet in that part of Deuteronomy we find this word which we render Prophet several times E. g. If there arise among you a Prophet c. And thou shalt not hearken to the words of that Prophet Deut. 13.1 3. Again The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet c. I will raise them a Prophet And the Prophet which shall presume c. And when a Prophet speaketh in the Name of the Lord Deut. 18.15 18 20 22. Besides the word is used elsewhere as Exod. 7.1 Numb 12.6 and chap. 11.29 and Deut. 34.10 Will any believe this word was not used in the time of Moses or that if he wrote these places yet he wrote Seer and the word Prophet was added by a later Hand 2. Some of these words are quoted in the New Testament and there the word
Prophet is retain'd and not the word Seer And they are quoted in such terms also as may put this matter out of dispute and satisfie us that Moses wrote the words quoted and that the word Prophet was known in his time Let us hear how St. Peter quotes these words from Deut. 18.18 For Moses truly said unto your Fathers A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you He tells us that 't was Moses and not a later Writer that said this he expresseth it not by Seer but by the word Prophet St. Stephen cites the same passage and after the same manner This is that which Moses said unto the children of Israel A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise unto you c. Act. 3.22 and chap. 7.37 Nothing can be plainer nothing more convincing than these words are both that Moses wrote these words and that the word render'd Prophet was used in his time 3. I shall consider the words in the Book of Samuel and shew that they will not serve the purpose to which they are produced The words are these Before-time in Israel when a man went to enquire of God thus he spake Come and let us go to the Seer for he that is now called a Prophet was before-time called a Seer Does this Writer say That the word we render Prophet was not known in the time of Moses He says no such thing Does he say That the word we render Prophet was not known till that Age He says it not All that he affirms is this That before that time the person called a Prophet was called a Seer This we grant readily He was called a Seer before but this does not inferr that he was not called a Prophet also even then when he was called a Seer The most that can be concluded from the place is this That for some-time before he that was called a Prophet then was commonly called a Seer And then there is no more than this to be inferred That how old soever the word Prophet had been yet for some-time before that passage was related it was very common to call him a Seer It seems the word Prophet was at that time when this is related in common use and yet after these words the word Seer is used 1 Sam. 9.11 And so it was in the days of Micah when the word Prophet was in common and ordinary use Micah 3.7 And as the word Seer was used when Prophet was used most commonly so have we good Reason to believe that the word Prophet was also used when Seer was a word in common and ordinary use And 't is apparently evident from what hath been said above that the word was as old as Moses Obj. XVI It is pretended that Moses wou'd not write these words Now an Omer is the tenth part of an Ephah Exod. 16.36 'T is pretended that these words cou'd not be written by Moses when these Measures were in use and well known but by a much later hand after the dispersion of the Israelites among other Nations among whom they had been used to other Measures that the Reader might the better understand the Measure here mentioned To which I answer 1. That it does not appear that the Israelites did ever alter their Measures whilst they continued in the Possession of the Land of Canaan And if they did not there cou'd be no reason assign'd why we shou'd suppose any thing added here by way of Explication by a later hand 2. Nor can we reasonably suppose such an Explication cou'd signifie any thing in this case For how cou'd any Man be the wiser for it For how shou'd an Ephah be better known than an Omer This wou'd be no Explication in After-times when the Measures used of old were once forgotten And why may not an Ephah be as well forgot as an Omer And if it were the Reader cou'd gain nothing at all by such words as these 3. And therefore 't is much more reasonable to believe that these words were here from the beginning when an Ephah was in use commonly and that so it was in the days of Moses Obj. XVII I meet with some other Objections mention'd in a late learned Writer mention'd before which because I cannot discern any great force in them I will here put together and answer viz. Gen. 2.11 12. The name of the first is Pison that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah where there is gold and the gold of that land is good there is Bdellium and the Onyx-stone 'T is pretended that these are the words of one who lived in Chaldaea where 't is suppos'd that Pison was and that Geography was not well enough known to Moses to relate such Particulars Again 'T is pretended that the account we have of Nimrod and his Kingdom chap. 10.8 is more than Moses can be supposed to give and that That account wou'd have been more usefull after the Jews had been better acquainted with Babylon And Lastly The account we have of Niniveh which is suppos'd to have been Founded after the Time of Moses is therefore supposed to be none of his To which I answer 1. As to Pison not to examine the Situation of it which for what appears might not be so distant from Moses as Chaldaea the Objector hath no reason to object hence against Moses because he does not know how far Moses did understand Geography nor hath he any cause to say the places mention'd did not trade and traffick into Egypt where Moses was born Gen. 37.25 2. As to the account of Nimrod and his Kingdom we have no shadow of reason to suspect it For Babylon and some other places mention'd on this occasion were afterwards so famous in story that 't is not to be wonder'd at that Moses shou'd give an account of this person who was so very remarkable in his Time and of these Places that were so famous afterwards Nor cou'd any thing be done more properly than in that very place where Moses gives an account of the Families deriv'd from the Sons of Noah which Peopl'd the several parts of the Earth 3. For the Name of Niniveh which is pretended to be later than the Times of Moses I need say no more than this That this is supposed onely but I never yet to my remembrance saw any kind of proof of it or any thing that looks that way And cou'd I see any thing like a proof I shou'd think my self oblig'd to give an answer to it But I cannot be obliged to follow mere Suppositions and wander after the Fansies and vain Imaginations of Scriblers Obj. XVIII It is pretended by the Author of the Book call'd Prae-adamitae that the Pentateuch cannot be writ by Moses and that because 't is full of Repetitions which therefore so wife a Man as Moses cannot be supposed to be guilty of I answer That this looks like an Objection and deserves to be accounted for And because this Objection bears hardest against the Book