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
there were lice upon man and upon beast 19. Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh This is the finger of God And Pharaoh's heart was hardened and he hearkened not unto them as the LORD had said 20. And the LORD said unto Moses rise up early in the morning and stand before Pharaoh lo he cometh forth to the water and say unto him Thus saith the LORD Let my people go that they may serve me 21. Else if thou wilt not let my people go behold I will send swarms of flies upon thee and upon thy servants and upon thy people and into thy houses and the houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies and also the ground whereon they are 22. And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen in which my people dwell that no swarms of flies shall be there to the end thou mayest know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth 23. And I will put a division between my people and thy people to morrow shall this sign be 24. And the LORD did so and there came a grievous swarm of flies into the house of Pharaoh and into his servants houses and into all the land of Egypt the land was corrupted by reason of the swarm of flies 25. And Pharaoh called for Moses and for Aaron and said Go ye sacrifice to your God in the land 26. And Moses said It is not meet so to do for we shall sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians to the LORD our God Lo shall we sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians before their eyes and will they not stone us 27. We will go three days journey into the wilderness and sacrifice to the LORD our God as he shall command us 28. And Pharaoh said I will let you go that ye may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness onely you shall not go very far away intreat for me 29. And Moses said Behold I go out from thee and I will intreat the LORD that the swarms of flies may depart from Pharaoh from his servants and from his people to morrow but let not Pharaoh deal deceitfully any more in not letting the people go to sacrifice to the LORD 30. And Moses went out from Pharaoh and intreated the LORD 31. And the LORD did according to the word of Moses and he removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh from his servants and from his people there remained not one 32. And Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also neither would he let the people go 2. All thy borders i. e. The whole Land of Egypt 3. Kneading-troughs Or Dough. 7. And the magicians Wisd 17.7 See the Notes on ch 7.12 8. Intreat the LORD Pharaoh is forced to this his Magicians not being able to remove the Frogs which they were permitted to bring upon the Egyptians 9. Glory over me Or Have this honour over me i. e. Have thou the honour of appointing me the time when I shall intreat the Lord for thee See v. 10. and Judg. 7.2 When Or Against when To destroy Heb. To cut off 10. To morrow Or Against to morrow 12. Because of the frogs which he had brought against Pharaoh Or Concerning the appointed time which was agreed on before for the removing the Frogs In this Sense the Greek understood the words 15. Respite i. e. That the Plague was removed 17. Lice One of the Ancients inquires Why God punished the Egyptians with such vile and inconsiderable Animals rather than with Bears Leopards Lions and such ravenous Creatures or the Serpents of Egypt which would quickly have destroyed theâ— And his answer is That God designed to correct not to destroy the Egyptians For had he designed their destruction he needed not the help of any Animals he might have done it by Plague or Famine When Men says he wage War they furnish themselves with the most powerfull assistance but the powerfull God when he designs to inflict evils makes use of the smallest and most inconsiderable Instruments what smaller than Lice and yet the Egyptians were forced to own the Finger of God Phil. de vit Mos l. 1. 18. Did so i. e. They attempted to do the like 19. This is the finger of God Or This Plague is of God's inflicting See the Chaldee The Power of God is represented by his Hand or Finger in the Scripture Phrase Ps 8.3 See Luk. 11.20 The Magicians do here confess God's Work and are not able to do the same And Pharaoh's heart was hardened These are the same words in the Hebr. with those ch 7.13 and they do imply that Pharaoh hardened his own Heart He continued in his obstinacy after the Magicians were baffled and were forced to acknowledge the Finger of God See v. 32. 21. Swarms of flies Or A mixture of noisom Beasts 22. I will sever c. By making this wonderfull difference this Plague was rendered the more convictive and Pharaoh the more inexcusable 23. A division Heb. A redemption And so it was to the Israelites a Rescue and Redemption and a distinguishing Mercy See Psal 111.9 Isa 43.2 3. To morrow Or By to morrow 24. There came See Wisd 16.9 A grievous swarm Not onely a very troublesome but a very numerous swarm Corrupted Or destroyed 26. It is not meet It is not right God having called the Israelites out of Egypt V. ch 3.18 The abomination of the Egyptians Or The things which the Egyptians worship as the Vulgar and the Chaldee understand the words at least the Beasts which the Egyptians abstain from and will neither eat nor kill V. Gen. 43.32 and the Notes on that place 27. As he shall See ch 3.18 32. Hardened his heart at this time also As he had done before v. 19. so he did again after a new Plague that spoke not onely the Power but the peculiar Providence of God v. 22 23. and all this after his Magicians had acknowledged the Power of God CHAP. IX The ARGUMENT A grievous Murrain Pharaoh's Heart is hardened The plague of Boyls The plague of Hail and the grievous Effects of it Pharaoh sues to Moses and Aaron to be delivered from it and promiseth to let the Israelites go The Hail is removed and Pharaoh thereupon hardens his Heart and refuseth to let the People go 1. THen the LORD said unto Moses Go in unto Pharaoh and tell him Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews Let my people go that they may serve me 2. For if thou refuse to let them go and wilt hold them still 3. Behold the hand of the LORD is upon thy cattel which is in the field upon the horses upon the asses upon the camels upon the oxen and upon the sheep there shall be a very grievous murrain 4. And the LORD shall sever between the cattel of Israel and the cattel of Egypt and there shall nothing die of all that is the childrens of Israel 5. And the LORD appointed a set time saying To morrow the LORD shall
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
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
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
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
12. That thou Ch. 22.29 and 34.19 Ezek. 44.30 Set apart Heb. Cause to pass over i. e. Thou shalt not reckon it thine own but God's Vid. Levit. 27.32 13. Of an Ass Of unclean beasts Numb 18.15 The Ass is named that creature being very common among them Jud. 10.4 and 12.14 And the Ass therefore seems named here as a most common Beast and comprehending other Creatures that were not fit for Sacrifice And Philo the Jew when he mentions this Law reckons Horses Asses and Camels and such-like de Sacerdot Honor. l. Lamb Or Kid vid. ch 12.3 14. In time to come Heb. To morrow Vid. Matt. 6.34 16. And it shall be for a token upon thine hand and for frontlets between thine eyes See verse 9. Hence the Jews understanding these words literally took up a custom of using their Phylacteries Matt. 23.5 which they wore on their Hands and Foreheads These were made of Skins of a clean Beast in which were written four Tracts or little Sections of their Law viz. Deut. 6.4 to the end of v. 9. Exod. 13.1 to the end of v. 10. Exod. 13.11 to the end of v. 16. Deut. 11.13 to the end of v. 21. 18. Harnessed Or by five in a rank i. e. They went in good order and having their Loins girded See ch 12.11 19. The bones of Joseph Vid. Act. 7.16 God will c. Gen. 50.25 Josh 24.32 20. They took c. Numb 33.6 21. The LORD Numb 14.14 Deut. 1.33 Nehem. 9.19 Psal 78.14 1 Cor. 10.1 He is called the Angel of God ch 14.19 And it is supposed that he is the Son of God it being said that they tempted Christ in the Wilderness 1 Cor. 10.9 And Philo the Jew thinks it credible that a certain invisible Angel accompanied the Cloud as the Conductor of the People Whom says he we may not see with bodily eyes Vid. Phil. de Vit. Mos l. 1. And there is ground for this opinion of his from the place compared with ch 14.19 where it is said And the Angel of God which went before the Camp of Israel removed and went behind them And the Pillar of the Cloud went from before their face and stood behind them 22. The Pillar The Pillar of a Cloud and of Fire seem to be but one Pillar ch 14.19 20 24. Spread as a Cloud by day and having the appearance of Fire by night for the guidance of the People CHAP. XIV The ARGUMENT The Israelites are directed in their Journey Pharaoh pursues them The Israelites are much afraid Moses endeavours to quiet them The Angel and Cloud remove behind the Camp of Israel The Israelites pass through the Red sea the Egyptians following them are drowned 1. AND the LORD spake unto Moses saying 2. Speak unto the children of Israel that they turn and encamp before Pihahiroth between Migdol and the sea over against Baal-zephon before it shall ye encamp by the sea 3. For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel They are entangled in the land the wilderness hath shut them in 4. And I will harden Pharaoh's heart that he shall follow after them and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh and upon all his host that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD And they did so 5. And it was told the king of Egypt that the people fled and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned against the people and they said Why have we done this that we have let Israel go from serving us 6. And he made ready his chariot and took his people with him 7. And he took six hundred chosen chariots and all the chariots of Egypt and captains over every one of them 8. And the LORD hardned the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt and be pursued after the children of Israel and the children of Israel went out with an high hand 9. But the Egyptians pursued after them all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh and his horse-men and his army and overtook them encamping by the sea beside Pihahiroth before Baal-zephon 10. And when Pharaoh drew nigh the children of Israel lift up their eyes and behold the Egyptians marched after them and they were sore afraid and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD 11. And they said unto Moses Because there were no graves in Egypt hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness Wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us to carry us forth out of Egypt 12. Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt saying Let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians then that we should die in the wilderness 13. And Moses said unto the people Fear ye not stand still and see the salvation of the LORD which he will shew to you to day for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day ye shall see them again no more for ever 14. The LORD shall fight for you and ye shall hold your peace 15. And the LORD said unto Moses Wherefore criest thou unto me Speak unto the children of Israel that they go forward 16. But lift thou up thy rod and stretch out thine hand over the sea and divide it and the children of Israel shall go on dry-ground through the midst of the sea 17. And I behold I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians and they shall follow them and I will get me honour upon Pharaoh and upon all his host upon his chariots and upon his horse-men 18. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD when I have gotten me honour upon Pharaoh upon his chariots and upon his horse-men 19. And the angel of God which went before the camp of Israel removed and went behind them and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face and stood behind them 20. And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel and it was a cloud and darkness to them but it gave light by night to these so that the one came not near the other all the night 21. And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east-wind all that night and made the sea dry-land and the waters were divided 22. And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry-ground and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand and on their left 23. And the Egyptians pursued and went in after them to the midst of the sea even all Pharaoh's horses his chariots and his horse-men 24. And it came to pass that in the morning-watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud and troubled the host of the Egyptians 25. And took off their chariot-wheels that they drave them heavily so that the Egyptians said Let us flee from the face of Israel for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians 26. And the LORD
Lot upon the Goats severally as they stood before him on his right and left Hand Maim Jom Hak-kippur c. 3. With reference to the Box the Lot may be said to come up and with respect to the Goat on whom it was put to fall Josh 18.11 ch 19.1 Numb 33.54 10. To make an atonement This Goat was a Sin-offering as well as the other and is so called v. 5. And though he were not slain as the other yet was he charged with the Iniquity of the Israelites and might therefore be said to bear their Iniquities and to make Atonement for them 12. The Altar i. e. The Altar of Burnt-offerings or the brazen Altar 13. Put the incense This was done after the Bullock mentioned v. 3 11. was killed and before the blood was sprinkled And by this means the way was prepared into the Holy of Holies v. 2. Incense was a Figure of Prayer And the Incense which the High-priest here offers up was a Figure of the fervent Prayers which our Saviour made a little before his going into Heaven or that entring into the Holy place which is mentioned Heb. 9.12 That he die not See v. 2. and Exod. 33.20 14. He shall take Heb. 9.13 and ch 10.4 Sprinkle Ch. 4.6 Vpon the mercy-seat i. e. Upon the top of the Mercy-seat This the Jews say was done once besides the seven times before the Mercy-seat as follows 16. Because of the uncleanness Or from the uncleanness By this means it shall be purged or cleansed from the uncleanness of the Israelites Heb. 9.23 Remaineth Heb. Dwelleth 17. No man Luk. 1.10 The High-priest alone was concerned in this Service and in that a fit Type of Christ who by himself purged our sins Heb. 1.3 18. Altar i. e. The Altar of Incense Exod. 30.10 And the blood viz. Mingled together 20. Reconciling Or Purging See v. 19. 21. His hands See ch 4.1 Confess In the name of the People this Confession was to be made and the Jews in after-times tell us the form of words which were used viz. O Lord thy people the house of Israel have done iniquity trespassed and sinned before thee O Lord make atonement for the iniquities transgressions and sins which thy people the house of Israel have done unrighteously transgressed and sinned before thee as it is written in the law of Moses thy servant saying In this day he shall make atonement for you c. Joma c. 6. m. 2. Putting them upon c. After this manner transferring the guilt of Israel upon the head of the Goat which was a Type of Christ on whom the Lord hath laid the iniquity of us all Isa 53.6 2 Cor. 5.21 A fit man Heb. A man of opportunity Or a man prepared and designed for that service 22. Not inhabited Heb. Of separation 25. Fat This was onely to be burnt upon the Altar the Body was burnt without the Camp v. 27. 27. And the Bullock c. Ch. 6.30 Heb. 13.11 29. A statute for ever During the Legal Dispensation it was to continue among them But then Christ put an end to it and rendred the Service useless and the destruction of their Temple rendred it unpracticable 30. From all your sins This is to be understood with relation to the Blood of Christ 1 Joh. 2.1 2. which cleanseth us from all Sin 1 Joh. 1.7 And also upon the Repentance of the Sinner without which he was not pardoned by the day of Expiation 31. A Sabbath of rest c. It was a time in which they were to forbear their ordinary and common Work and abstain from their food and sensual Pleasures See Isa 58.13 Levit. 23.29 30. 32. Whom he shall anoint i. e. Who shall be anointed as the Vulgar hath it And so whom he shall consecrate i. e. who shall be consecrated An active Verb without a Person is frequently in the Holy Scripture to be taken passively The well observing whereof will tend to the removing many difficulties E. g. They could not believe because that Esaias said again He hath blinded their eyes and hath hardened their hearts Joh. 12.39 40. The Jews unbelief is not there imputed to God as to the Cause 'T is not so imputed by the Prophet Esai 6.9 nor by St. Matthew who cites that place ch 13.14 15. All it imports is That their eyes were blinded and their hearts hardened And thus 't is expressed Act. 28.27 Thus He hardened Pharaoh's heart Exod. 7.13 signifies no more than that his heart was hardened See the Note on that place Thus He moved David 2 Sam. 24.1 imports no more but this That David was moved There are many such places See Luk. 12.20.16.9.14.35 Isa 9.9 Matt. 5.13 34. Once a year Exod. 30.10 Heb. 9.7 CHAP. XVII The ARGUMENT Whoever killed an Ox Lamb or Goat during the Israelites stay in the Wilderness was obliged to bring it to the door of the Tabernacle that the Blood of it might be sprinkled on the Altar Sacrificing to Devils is forbidden The eating of Blood again forbidden That which dies of it self and is torn by Beasts is also forbidden 1. AND the LORD spake unto Moses saying 2. Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons and unto all the children of Israel and say unto them This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded saying 3. What man soever there be of the house of Israel that killeth an ox or lamb or goat in the camp or that killeth it out of the camp 4. And bringeth it not unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation to offer an offering unto the LORD before the tabernacle of the LORD blood shall be imputed unto that man he hath shed blood and that man shall be cut off from among his people 5. To the end that the children of Israel may bring their sacrifices which they offer in the open field even that they may bring them unto the LORD unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation unto the priest and offer them for peace-offerings unto the LORD 6. And the priest shall sprinkle the blood upon the altar of the LORD at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation and burn the fat for a sweet savour unto the LORD 7. And they shall no more offer their sacrifices unto devils after whom they have gone a whoring This shall be a statute for ever unto them throughout their generations 8. And thou shalt say unto them Whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel or of the strangers which sojourn among you that offereth a burnt-offering or sacrifice 9. And bringeth it not unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation to offer it unto the LORD even that man shall be cut off from among his people 10. And whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel or of the strangers that sojourn among you that eateth any manner of blood I will even set my face against that soul that eateth blood and will cut him off from among his people 11. For the
people 17. That the LORD spake unto me saying 18. Thou art to pass over through Ar the coast of Moab this day 19. And when thou comest nigh over against the children of Ammon distress them not nor meddle with them for I will not give thee of the land of the children of Ammon any possession because I have given it unto the children of Lot for a possession 20. That also was accounted a land of giants giants dwelt therein in old time and the Ammonites call them Zamzummims 21. A people great and many and tall as the Anakims but the LORD destroyed them before them and they succeeded them and dwelt in their stead 22. As he did to the children of Esau which dwelt in Seir when he destroyed the Horims from before them and they succeeded them and dwelt in their stead even unto this day 23. And the Avims which dwelt in Hazerim even unto Azzah the Caphtorims which came forth out of Caphtor destroyed them and dwelt in their stead 24. Rise ye up take your journey and pass over the river Arnon behold I have given into thy hand Sihon the Amorite king of Heshbon and his land begin to possess it and contend with him in battel 25. This day will I begin to put the dread of thee and the fear of thee upon the nations that are under the whole heaven who shall hear report of thee and shall tremble and be in anguish because of thee 26. And I sent messengers out of the wilderness of Kedemoth unto Sihon king of Heshbon with words of peace saying 27. Let me pass through thy land I will go along by the high-way I will neither turn unto the right hand nor to the left 28. Thou shalt sell me meat for money that I may eat and give me water for money that I may drink onely I will pass through on my feet 29. As the children of Esau which dwell in Seir and the Moabites which dwell in Ar did unto me untill I shall pass over Jordan into the land which the LORD our God giveth us 30. But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him for the LORD thy God hardened his spirit and made his heart obstinate that he might deliver him into thy hand as appeareth this day 31. And the LORD said unto me Behold I have begun to give Sihon and his land before thee begin to possess that thou mayest inherit his land 32. Then Sihon came out against us he and all his people to fight at Jahaz 33. And the LORD our God delivered him before us and we smote him and his sons and all his people 34. And we took all his cities at that time and utterly destroyed the men and the women and the little ones of every city we left none to remain 35. Onely the cattel we took for a prey unto our selves and the spoil of the cities which we took 36. From Aroer which is by thâ— brink of the river of Arnon and from the city that is by the river even unto Gilead there was not one city too strong for us the LORD our God delivered all unto us 37. Onely unto the land of the children of Ammon thou camest not nor unto any place of the river Jabbok nor unto the cities in the mountains nor unto whatsoever the LORD our God forbad us 1. MOunt Seir This Mount is put here for the rest of the Country of the Edomites of which that Mount was a remarkable place We find that Ezion-gaber v. 8. which was upon the Shore of the Red-sea was in the Land of Edom 1 King 9.26 Many days It was the space of thirty eight years from their leaving Kadesh-barnea to their passing over the Brook Zered See v. 14. 4. To pass through the Coast Or To pass near or by the Coast The Hebrew Particle which is here translated through sometimes signifies by or near as 1 Sam. 29.1 2 Chron. 15.16 Jud. 6.11 1 King 15.13 And this sense of that Particle agrees well with this place Compare Numb 20.21 23. 5. Meddle not with them The reason of this Prohibition was not because the Edomites were too formidable an Enemy for it 's said They shall be afraid of you v. 4. but because God had bestowed that Land upon Esau Gen. 36.8 and would not give to the Israelites thereof No not so much as a foot-breadth Heb. Even to the treading of the sole of the foot 7. For the LORD thy God c. Because God had plentifully provided for them and known their walking i. e. graciously regarded them in their Peregrination as the word know implies Ps 1.6 therefore they are under no Temptation to Theft or Rapine 9. Distress not the Moabites Or Vse no hostility against Moab The reason follows Because I have given Ar unto the children of Lot Ar This was the principal City of the Moabites Numb 21.15 28. It is put here for the Country of the Moabites as mount Seir v. 1. is for that of the Edomites 10. The Emims The word imports terror and it is said they were great and many c. And this might encourage the Israelites to hope for Victory over their powerfull Enemies See Gen. 14.5 12. The Horims Gen. 14.6 and 36.20 Succeeded them Heb. Inherited them Stead Or room As Israel did unto the land of his possession which the LORD gave unto them There is no difficulty in these words if we understand them of that part of the Land on this side Jordan which the Israelites had already the possession of and which was a pledge of the other part of the Land on the other side of Jordan which they were shortly after to possess And this sense of the words is very agreeable to this place and is confirmed by what follows ch 4.47 where the Israelites are expressly said to have possessed this Land at this time And after this ch 29.8 Moses says We took their Land and gave it for an inheritance unto the Reubenites c. 13. The brook or valley Zered Numb 21.12 14. Of the Men of War i. e. From Twenty years old and upward all that were able to go forth to War See Numb 1.3 compared with Numb 14.29 Host Or Camp See Numb 2. 18. Thou art to pass over through Ar the coast of Moab Or Thou art to pass over by Ar by the border of Moab 20. Zamzummims A crafty sort of People as that word seems to import 21. But the LORD destroyed c. Which is a demonstration that the Israelites whiles God fights for them need not fear the most powerfull and subtle Enemies 23. And the Avims c. That is a People related to the Philistins Gen. 10.14 called Caphtorims destroyed the Avims which is added as another instance to encourage the hope of the Israelites See Jer. 47.4 and Amos 9.7 24. Begin to possess Heb. Begin possess 25. That are under the whole heaven This hyperbolical Expression is explained by the following words which restrain it to those
to place his name there the tithe of thy corn of thy wine and of thine oyl and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always 24. And if the way be too long for thee so that thou art not able to carry it or if the place be too far from thee which the LORD thy God shall choose to set his name there when the LORD thy God hath blessed thee 25. Then shalt thou turn it into money and bind up the money in thine hand and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose 26. And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after for oxen or for sheep or for wine or for strong drink or for whatsoever thy soul desireth and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God and thou shalt rejoyce thou and thine houshold 27. And the Levite that is within thy gates thou shalt not forsake him for he hath no part nor inheritance with thee 28. At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year and shalt lay it up within thy gates 29. And the Levite because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee and the stranger and the fatherless and the widow which are within thy gates shall come and shall eat and be satisfied that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest 1. YE shall not cut your selves c. Ye shall not imitate Idolaters in your mourning for the Dead See Lev. 19.28 with Jer. 16.6 This is unbecoming their Relation to God as Children and a select and peculiar People v. 2. This is seasonably subjoined to the foregoing Precepts which forbid Idolatry and especially to the last Chapter where the death of Seducers and Idolaters is enjoined amongst whom they would find some related to them whom they are not thus allowed to mourn for 2. Thou art an holy people And therefore separated from the Pollutions and Evil Practices of Idolaters See chap. 7.6 and 26.18 3. Any abominable thing That is any thing forbidden and therefore to be detested 4. These are the beasts The signs and marks of the clean and unclean Beasts were laid down before Levit. 11.2 c. The following Particulars are added here expressly and being common and well known were to be taken for clean without any farther examination 5. Pygarg Or Bison Heb. Dishon 9. These Levit. 11.9 11. All clean birds Those are to be reputed clean Birds and Fowls see verse 20. which are not forbid See Levit 11.13 18. Bat Levit. 11.19 21. Stranger viz. That is not circumcised for such an one was a debtor to do the whole law Gal. 5.3 Thou shalt not seethe c. See Exod. 23.19 and 34.26 with the Note upon Exod. 23.19 22. Tithe This is to be meant of the second Tithe of which see the Note on ch 12.6 26. Desireth Heb. Asketh of thee 27. Levite Ch. 12.19 28. The tithe This is to be understood of the same Tithe mentioned v. 22. This was to be separated every year and for two years to be eaten at Jerusalem and in the third year in the Country where it grew with the Levite and the Stranger the Fatherless and Widow v. 29. See the Note on chap. 12.6 CHAP. XV. The ARGUMENT Of the year of release being every seventh year The Israelites are warned not upon that Account to forbear exercising kindness to their poor brethren Of Hebrew Servants and of them that refuse their Liberty Of the firstling Males of the Cattel 1. AT the end of every seven years thou shalt make a release 2. And this is the manner of the release Every creditor that lendeth ought unto his neighbour shall release it he shall not exact it of his neighbour or of his brother because it is called the LORD's release 3. Of a foreigner thou mayest exact it again but that which is thine with thy brother thine hand shall release 4. Save when there shall be no poor among you for the LORD shall greatly bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it 5. Onely if thou carefully hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God to observe to do all these commandments which I command thee this day 6. For the LORD thy God blesseth thee as he promised thee and thou shalt lend unto many nations but thou shalt not borrow and thou shalt reign over many nations but they shall not reign over thee 7. If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee thou shalt not harden thy heart nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother 8. But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need in that which he wanteth 9. Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart saying The seventh year the year of release is at hand and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother and thou givest him nought and he cry unto the LORD against thee and it be sin unto thee 10. Thou shalt surely give him and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him because that for this thing the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto 11. For the poor shall never cease out of the land therefore I command thee saying Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother to thy poor and to thy needy in thy land 12. And if thy brother an Hebrew man or an Hebrew woman be sold unto thee and serve thee six years then in the seventh year thou shalt let him go free from thee 13. And when thou sendest him out free from thee thou shalt not let him go away empty 14. Thou shalt furnish him liberally out of thy flock and out of thy floor and out of thy wine-press of that wherewith the LORD thy God hath blessed thee thou shalt give unto him 15. And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bond-man in the land of Egypt and the LORD thy God redeemed thee therefore I command thee this thing to day 16. And it shall be if he say unto thee I will not go away from thee because he loveth thee and thine house because he is well with thee 17. Then thou shalt take an awl and thrust it through his ear unto the door and he shall be thy servant for ever and also unto thy maid-servant thou shalt do likewise 18. It shall not seem hard unto thee when thou sendest him away free from thee for he hath been worth a double hired servant to thee in serving thee six years and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all that thou doest 19. All the firstling males that come of thy herd and of thy flock thou