of wait 23. Or with any stone wherewith a man may die seeing him not and cast it upon him that he die and was not his enemy neither sought his harm 24. Then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the revenger of blood according to these judgments 25. And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge whither he was fled and he shall abide in it unto the death of the high-priest which was anointed with the holy oyl 26. But if the slayer shall at any time come without the border of the city of his refuge whither he was fled 27. And the revenger of blood find him without the borders of the city of his refuge and the revenger of blood kill the slayer he shall not be guilty of blood 28. Because he should have remained in the city of his refuge until the death of the high-priest but after the death of the high-priest the slayer shall return into the land of his possession 29. So these things shall be for a statute of judgment unto you throughout your generations in all your dwellings 30. Whoso killeth any person the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses but one witness shall not testifie against any person to cause him to die 31. Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer which is guilty of death but he shall be surely put to death 32. And ye shall take no satisfaction for him that it fled to the city of his refuge that he should come again to dwell in the land until the death of the priest 33. So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are for blood it defileth the land and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein but by the blood of him that shed it 34. Defile not therefore the land which ye shall inhabit wherein I dwell for I the LORD dwell amâ—ng the children of Israel 2. Command Josh 21.2 4. A thousand cubits round about The Greek Interpreters say two thousand And this seems to agree best with what is said in the following Verse But the difficulty which ariseth from comparing these words with verse 5. may be solved without supposing any Error in the Hebrew Text in this place For supposing One thousand Cubits in length from each side of the City to be the extent of its Suburbs which is here affirmed the Two thousand Cubits v. 5. is but the Measure of the breadth of the Suburbs on each quarter of the City viz. On the East and South and West and North-sides of it Nor does it appear that the fifth Verse imports any more than the breadth of the several Sides or extremities of the Suburbs 6. Six cities for refuge Deut. 4.41 Josh 20.2 and 21.3 These were for the relief of the Man-slayer but not of the Murderer verse 21. To them ye shall add Heb. Above them ye shall give 8. He inheriteth Heb. They inherit 10. When Deut. 19.2 Josh 20.2 11. Vnawares Heb. By Error i. e. Without Malice or Design See v. 20 21. 12. From the avenger He is called The avenger of blood v. 19. The Hebrew signifies a Redeemer and because the right of Redemption of Estates belonged to the nearest of the kindred it imports such a Kinsman here Vntil he stand before the Congregation The City of Refuge protected the Innocent and such as were not condemned but it did not protect them from giving an account before the Judges This they were obliged to do at their entrance into the City of Refuge Josh 20.4 or in the place where the fact was committed 15. For the stranger Or Proselyte as the Greek have it i. e. One who undertakes the Religion of the Israelites and was thereby distinguished from the Sojourner who though he did not oblige himself to all their Laws was yet permitted to live among them 16. And if he smite him c. Exod. 21.14 Here are mentioned an Instrument of Iron a Stone and Hand-weapon of Wood because it is presumable that he who strikes with such killing Instruments does intend to take away life whereas it is indeed the Design and Enmity which speak a Man a Murderer v. 20 21. 17. With throwing a stone Heb. With a stone of the hand 19. The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer He may not onely do it lawfully but is obliged to see it be done by others at least for the Murderer ought not to live See v. 31. and the City of Refuge must not protect him Deut. 19.12 13. 20. If he Deut. 19.11 21. With his hand In this case where the Enmity is proved he that kills is a Murdererer whatever Instrument he used And on the other hand he that did not hate is no Murderer though he killed a Man with a killing Instrument See the Note on v. 16. 22. Without enmity Exod. 21.13 24. The congregation The Judges or Elders to whom such Causes belong See v. 12. and Josh 20.4 25. Vnto the death of the high-priest That being a time of publick mourning when their great Advocate died was a fit season for Men to lay aside their private Animosities and forget their particular Feuds and Quarrels Beside this does fairly intimate that our Redemption and our Liberty from the guilt of our sins is owing to the death of Christ our great High-priest 27. He shall not be guilty of blood Heb. No blood shall be to him 29. In all your dwellings That is In the whole Land which you are going to possess you shall observe this Law which did not oblige them out of their own Land See v. 10. 30. Mouth of witnesses Deut. 17.6 and 19.15 Matt. 18.16 2 Cor. 13.1 Heb. 10.28 31. Satisfaction Or Price Guilty of death Heb. Faulty to die 33. Pollute Or Make it guilty The land cannot be cleansed Heb. There can be no expiation for the land 34. Defile not Do not render unclean by your evil practices CHAP. XXXVI The ARGUMENT A Question put to Moses relating to the Inheritances of Daughters The Law concerning the Marriage of Heiresses The Marriage of the Daughters of Zelophehad agreeably to that Law 1. AND the chief fathers of the families of the children of Gilead the son of Machir the son of Manasseh of the families of the sons of Joseph came 〈◊〉 and spake before Moses and before the princes the chief fathers of the children of Israel 2. And they said The LORD commanded my lord to give the land for an inheritance by lot to the children of Israel and my lord was commanded by the LORD to give the inheritance of Zelophebad our brother unto his daughters 3. And if they be married to any of the sons of the other tribes of the children of Israel then shall their inheritance be taken from the inheritance of our fathers and shall be put to the inheritance of the
which is left to his own disposal 10. To pass through the fire See the Note upon Levit. 18.21 That useth divination or an observer of times or an Enchanter The Divination here forbid seems to be the foretelling things to come for the sake of gain or by means not allowed by the Law of God See Micah 3.11 for the observer of times and the Enchanter See the Note on Levit. 19.26 A witch See the Note upon Exod. 22.18 11. Charmer An Inchanter who by Society with evil Spirits and perhaps by a pretence to knowledge from the Conjunction of the Stars for the Hebrew Word imports Society or Conjunction amuses Men with his odd feats and predictions Or a consulter with familiar Spirits or a Wizard of these See the Note on Levit. 19.31 Necromancer i. e. one who seeks to the Dead See 1 Sam. 28.7 and Isa 8.19 13. Perfect i. e. Vpright or Sincere and not depart from his Precepts See v. 14. 15. The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet c. The connexion is plainly this That they need not turn to Observers of Times to Diviners and Witches c. because God would send among them a Succession of Prophets but then here is also a promise of Christ Act. 3.22 and 7.37 which agrees perfectly to our Jesus who was a Prophet as he taught the Will of God Matth. 5. Luk. 4.19 and foretold things to come Matth. 26.75 Joh. 6.70 71. Matth. 16.21 Matth. 24. and was like unto Moses in his Meekness in his fasting forty days and forty nights in giving his Law from a Mountain Matt. 5. in his open declaring the Will of God Joh. 1.18 in his Mediatorship c. 19. I will require it i. e. I will punish him as a despiser of me and he shall be destroyed from among the people Act. 3.23 22. Speaketh in the name of the LORD c. That is undertakes to confirm his Mission by a Miracle or by predicting something to come The not being able to effect what he undertook and when the Event answered not the Prediction would prove him a false Prophet and not to be feared or regarded CHAP. XIX The ARGUMENT Of the cities of Refuge and the Manslayer The Murtherer must die The Land-mark may not be removed The insufficiency of a single Witness The Punishment of a False-witness 1. WHen the LORD thy God hath cut off the nations whose land the LORD thy God giveth thee and thou succeedest them and dwellest in their cities and in their houses 2. Thou shalt separate three cities for thee in the midst of thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it 3. Thou shalt prepare thee a way and divide the coasts of thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee to inherit into three parts that every slayer may flee thither 4. And this is the case of the slayer which shall flee thither that he may live whoso killeth his neighbour ignorantly whom he hated not in time past 5. As when a man goeth in the wood with his neighbour to hew wood and his hand fetcheth a stroke with the ax to cut down the tree and the head slippeth from the helve and lighteth upon his neighbour that he die he shall flee unto one of those cities and live 6. Lest the avenger of the blood pursue the slayer while his heart is hot and overtake him because the way is long and slay him whereas he was not worthy of death in as much as he hated him not in time past 7. Wherefore I command thee saying Thou shalt separate three cities for thee 8. And if the LORD thy God enlarge thy coast as he hath sworn unto thy fathers and give thee all the land which he promised to give unto thy fathers 9. If thou shalt keep all these commandments to do them which I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God and to walk ever in his ways then shalt thou add three cities more for thee beside these three 10. That innocent blood be not shed in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance and so blood be upon thee 11. But if any man hate his neighbour and lie in wait for him and rise up against him and smite him mortally that he die and fleeth into one of these cities 12. Then the elders of his city shall send and fetch him thence and deliver him into the hand of the avenger of blood that he may die 13. Thine eye shall not pity him but thou shalt put away the guilt of innocent blood from Israel that it may go well with thee 14. Thou shalt not remove thy neighbour's land-mark which they of old time have set in thine inheritance which thou shalt inherit in the land that the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it 15. One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity or for any sin in any sin that he sinneth at the mouth of two witnesses or at the mouth of three witnesses shall the matter be established 16. If a false witness rise up against any man to testifie against him that which is wrong 17. Then both the men between whom the controversie is shall stand before the LORD before the priests and the judges which shall be in those days 18. And the judges shall make diligent inquisition and behold if the witness be a false witness and hath testified falsly against his brother 19. Then shall ye do unto him as he had thought to have done unto his brother so shalt thou put the evil away from among you 20. And those which remain shall hear and fear and shall henceforth commit no more any such evil among you 21. And thine eye shall not pity but life shall go for life eye for eye tooth for tooth hand for hand foot for foot 1. WHEN the LORD thy God c. It is from hence evident that they were not obliged to set aside these Cities of Refuge till they had subdued the Inhabitants of the Land and accordingly we find Joshua then taking care of it Josh 20.2 2. In the midst of thy land Or Within thy land For it is not to be supposed they were in the very middle of it but that they were so situated as might be most for the ease and security of the Man-slayer v. 6. and accordingly they were appointed in several Tribes as we read Josh 20.7 3. Thou shalt prepare thee a way The meaning is that the way to these Cities should be made plain and easie that the Man-slayer might not be obstructed or retarded in his flight thither 4. And this is the case See Exod. 21.13 6. Lest the avenger c. It is evident that these words relate to what was said v. 3. of dividing the Coasts of the Land that the Slayer might flee to the City of Refuge with greater security which he could not do had not these Cities been dispersed in several Tribes 8. As he hath sworn
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
flesh in that night rost with fire and unleavened bread and with bitter herbs they shall eat it 9. Eat not of it raw nor sodden at all with water but rost with fire his head with his legs and with the purtenance thereof 10. And ye shall let nothing of it remain untill the morning and that which remaineth of it untill the morning ye shall burn with fire 11. And thus shall ye eat it with your loins girded your shooes on your feet and your staff in your hand and ye shall eat it in haste it is the LORD's passover 12. For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night and will smite all the first-born in the land of Egypt both man and beast and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment I am the LORD 13. And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where you are and when I see the blood I will pass over you and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you when I smite the land of Egypt 14. And this day shall be unto you for a memorial and you shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations you shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever 15. Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day untill the seventh day that soul shall be cut off from Israel 16. And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation and in the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you no manner of work shall be done in them save that which every man must eat that onely may be done of you 17. And ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread for in this self-same day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever 18. In the first month on the fourteenth day of the month at even ye shall eat unleavened bread untill the one and twentieth day of the month at even 19. Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses for whosoever eateth that which is leavened even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel whether he be a stranger or born in the land 20. Ye shall eat nothing leavened in all your habitations shall ye eat unleavened bread 21. Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said unto them Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families and kill the passover 22. And ye shall take a bunch of hysop and dip it in the blood that is in the basin and strike the lintel and the two side-posts with the blood that is in the basin and none of you shall go out at the door of his house untill the morning 23. For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel and on the two side-posts the LORD will pass over the door and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you 24. And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever 25. And it shall come to pass when ye be come to the land which the LORD will give you according as he hath promised that ye shall keep this service 26. And it shall come to pass when your children shall say unto you What mean you by this service 27. That ye shall say It is the sacrifice of the LORD 's Passover who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt when he smote the Egyptians and delivered our houses And the people bowed the head and worshipped 28. And the children of Israel went away and did as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron so did they 29. And it came to pass that at midnight the LORD smote all the first-born in the land of Egypt from the first-born of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the first-born of the captive that was in the dungeon and all the first-born of cattel 30. And Pharaoh rose up in the night he and all his servants and all the Egyptians and there was a great cry in Egypt for there was not an house where there was not one dead 31. And he called for Moses and Aaron by night and said Rise up and get you forth from among my people both you and the children of Israel and go serve the LORD as ye have said 32. Also take your flocks and your herds as ye have said and be gone and bless me also 33. And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people that they might send them out of the land in haste for they said We be all dead men 34. And the people took their dough before it was leavened their kneading-troughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders 35. And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver and jewels of gold and raiment 36. And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians so that they lent unto them such things as they required and they spoiled the Egyptians 37. And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth about six hundred thousand on foot that were men besides children 38. And a mixed multitude went up also with them and flocks and herds even very much cattel 39. And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt for it was not leavened because they were thrust out of Egypt and could not tarry neither had they prepared for themselves any victual 40. Now the sojourning of the children of Israel 2513. 1491. who dwelt in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years 41. And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years even the self-same day it came to pass that all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt 42. It is a night to be much observed unto the LORD for bringing them out from the land of Egypt this is that night of the LORD to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations 43. And the LORD said unto Moses and Aaron This is the ordinance of the passover there shall no stranger eat thereof 44. But every man's servant that is bought for money when thou hast circumcised him then shall he eat thereof 45. A foreigner and an hired servant shall not eat thereof 46. In one house shall it be eaten thou shalt not carry forth ought of the flesh abroad out of the house neither shall ye break a bone thereof 47. All the congregation of Israel shall keep it 48. And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee and will keep the passover to the LORD let all his males be circumcised and then let him come near and keep it and
to which the words v. 24. seem particularly to referr But the word Abomination is sometimes applied to those things which were forbid by a positive Law and that were not antecedently evil as in Levit. 11.10 20 40 41. Deut. 17.1 And the practice of any of the things forbidden from v. 7. might be reckoned as Abominations especially to the Israelites and Proselytes of Justice who were obliged to keep these Laws see v. 26. in the sense of that word 28. Spued out See v. 25. CHAP. XIX The ARGUMENT Obedience to Parents is required and observation of God's Sabbaths Idolatry is forbidden The Law of the Peace-offering A remainder for the Poor out of the Harvest and Vintage Theft Fraud and Perjury Inhumanity Vnjustice and Tale-bearing are forbid so are Revenge and Hatred and divers mixtures Several other Laws viz. Concerning the use of Bondwomen planting Trees of Fruit eating Blood c. 1. AND the LORD spake unto Moses saying 2. Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel and say unto them Ye shall be holy for I the LORD your God am holy 3. Ye shall fear every man his mother and his father and keep my sabbaths I am the LORD your God 4 Turn ye not unto idols nor make to your selves molten gods I am the LORD your God 5. And if ye offer a sacrifice of peace-offerings unto the LORD ye shall offer it at your own will 6. It shall be eaten the same day ye offer it and on the morrow and if ought remain until the third day it shall be burnt in the fire 7. And if it be eaten at all on the third day it is abominable it shall not be accepted 8. Therefore every one that eateth it shall bear his iniquity because he hath profaned the hallowed thing of the LORD and that soul shall be cut off from among his people 9. And when ye reap the harvest of your land thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest 10. And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger I am the LORD your God 11. Ye shall not steal neither deal falsly neither lie one to another 12. And ye shall not swear by my name falsly neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God I am the LORD 13. Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour neither rob him the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning 14. Thou shalt not curse the deaf nor put a stumbling-block before the blind but shalt fear thy God I am the LORD 15. Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment thou shalt not respect the person of the poor nor honour the person of the mighty but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour 16. Thou shalt not go up and down as a tale-bearer among thy people neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour I am the LORD 17. Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour and not suffer sin upon him 18. Thou shalt not avenge nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self I am the LORD 19. Ye shall keep my statutes Thou shalt not let thy cattel gender with a diverse kind Thou shalt not sow thy field with mingled seed neither shall a garment mingled of linen and woollen come upon thee 20. And whosoever lieth carnally with a woman that is a bond-maid betrothed to an husband and not at all redeemed nor freedom given her she shall be scourged they shall not be put to death because she was not free 21. And he shall bring his trespass-offering unto the LORD unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation even a ram for a trespass-offering 22. And the priest shall make an atonement for him with the ram of the trespass-offering before the LORD for his sin which he hath done and the sin which he hath done shall be forgiven him 23. And when ye shall come into the land and shall have planted all manner of trees for food then ye shall count the fruit thereof as uncircumcised three years shall it be as uncircumcised unto you it shall not be eaten of 24. But in the fourth year all the fruit thereof shall be holy to praise the LORD withall 25. And in the fifth year shall ye eat of the fruit thereof that it may yield unto you the increase thereof I am the LORD your God 26. Ye shall not eat any thing with the blood neither shall ye use inchantment nor observe times 27. Ye shall not round the corners of your heads neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard 28. Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead nor print any marks upon you I am the LORD 29. Do not prostitute thy daughter to cause her to be a whore lest the land fall to whoredom and the land become full of wickedness 30. Ye shall keep my sabbaths and reverence my sanctuary I am the LORD 31. Regard not them that have familiar spirits neither seek after wizards to be defiled by them I am the LORD your God 32. Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head and honour the face of the old man and fear thy God I am the LORD 33. And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land ye shall not vex him 34. But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born amongst you and thou shalt love him as thy self for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt I am the LORD your God 35. Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment in mete-yard in weight or in measure 36. Just balances just weights a just ephah and a just hin shall ye have I am the LORD your God which brought you out of the land of Egypt 37. Therefore shall ye observe all my statutes and all my judgments and do them I am the LORD 2. Ye shall be holy Ch. 11.44 and 20.7 1 Pet. 1.16 3. Fear Or Reverence And this must be an inward Awe and Reverence and is due to the Mother who generally does not over-awe her Children as well as to the Father who hath greater Power and a superior Authority and is generally less despised Sabbaths Not onely the Seventh day but all other appointed times of rest ch 16.31 4. Idols The Hebrew word is observed to signifie things of nought and which have no true Being or Value See 1 Cor. 8.4 and ch 10.19 5. At your own will Or That it may be accepted i. e. Ye shall offer it as is appointed that so God may accept it This sense is confirmed by v. 7. and the Greek and Vulgar See Levit. 1.3 and 23.11 6. The same day If the Sacrifice of Peace-offering be for Thanksgiving ch 7.15 On the morrow If
2. A fugitive i. e. Thou shalt wander about not having a setled and fixed Habitation 14. From the face of the Earth That is from that land or ground where now I am and which I have tilled The Hebrew word which is here rendred Earth is not the same word which is so rendred v. 12. but a word of a narrower extent and which is rendred ground v. 2 3. And in those places it signifies tilled ground and ground improved and is used with a particular reference to that very ground which Cain tilled The same word is used v. 11. And though it be rendred Earth there yet it might have been as well rendred Ground as it is in the places mentioned and as it signifies When Cain is said to be cursed from the Earth it seems to referr especially to that ground where he then was and where he shed his Brother's bloud And Cain says here that he is driven from the face of the Earth i. e. From that Ground or Land where he was for it cannot be understood of the Earth in the largest sence in which he was to be a fugitive and vagabond v. 12. From thy face shall I be hid i. e. I shall be separated from that place where thou hast more peculiarly manifested thy self This God does in his Church and this he did at the Altar or place where the Sacrifices were offered See verse 4. and Gen. 28.16 17. Every one that findeth Whether Man or Beast The guilty Man fears every thing and flies when no Man pursues It is reasonable to believe that there were more of Mankind in the World than those whose Birth is expresly mentioned See verse 16 17. and chap. 5.4 15. Seven-fold i. e. Abundantly Compare Levit. 26.28 Mark Whether by over-awing the rest of the Creatures or what other way soever it were God thought fit to preserve the first Murderer alive as a lasting and sad Example to the World of the greatness of his Crime 16. Nod So called from Cain's wandring up and down 17. He builded Or he was building as it is in the Hebrew It does not appear from the original Text that he finished it much less that he had a fixed habitation there v. 12. 19. Two Wives Polygamy was a deviation from the first institution of Marriage Gen. 2.24 It is brought into use by Cain's off-spring Though it were afterwards indulged to the Israelites and so was Divorce also for the hardness of their hearts Matt. 19.8 20. Have cattel Or of Shepherds and of such as feed cattel which agrees with several ancient Versions 23. And Lamech said c. The occasion of this Speech of Lamech's not being revealed it cannot be reasonably expected that any man should positively determine the full sence thereof Thus much seems plain that they are vaunting words intimating his expectation of God's extraordinary regard to him though he had or should kill a man as Cain did many times beyond what he shewed to Cain as appears from v. 24. He seems from Cain's indemnity to encourage himself in his violence and wickedness 25. Called i. e. She called as it is in the Hebrew Text which she did not do without the consent of Adam as appears from chap. 5.3 26. Then began c. After Seth and Enos were born Religion did arise to a greater degree than it had arrived to under the Off-spring of Cain who are therefore onely called the children of Men whereas the Religious Off-spring of Seth and Enos are called the children of God ch 6. v. 2. CHAP. V. The ARGUMENT The Genealogy the Age and Death of the Off-spring of Adam by Seth unto the days of Noah being an account of the Patriarchs or principal Heads of Families of those who continued in the Worship of the true God See the Note on ch 6. v. 2. The Piety of Enoch and his Translation The Birth of Noah and of his Sons 1. THis is the book of the generations of Adam in the day that God created man in the likeness of God made he him 2. Male and female created be them and blessed them and called their name Adam in the day when they were created 3. And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years and begat a son in his own likeness after his image and called his name Seth. 4. And the days of Adam after he had begotten Seth were eight hundred years and he begat sons and daughters 5. And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years and he died 6. And Seth lived an hundred and five years and begat Enos 7. And Seth lived after he begat Enos eight hundred and seven years and begat sons and daughters 8. And all the days of Seth were nine hundred and twelve years and he died 9. And Enos lived ninety years and begat Cainan 10. And Enos lived after he begat Cainan eight hundred and fifteen years and begat sons and daughters 11. And all the days of Enos were nine hundred and five years and he died 12. And Cainan lived seventy years and begat Mahalaleel 13. And Cainan lived after he begat Mahalaleel eight hundred and forty years and begat sons and daughters 14. And all the days of Cainan were nine hundred and ten years and he died 15. And Mahalaleel lived sixty and five years and begat Jared 16. And Mahalaleel lived after he begat Jared eight hundred and thirty years and begat sons and daughters 17. And all the days of Mahalaleel were eight hundred ninety and five years and he died 18. And Jared lived an hundred sixty and two years and he begat Enoch 19. And Jared lived after he begat Enoch eight hundred years and begat sons and daughters 20. And all the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty and two years and he died 21. And Enoch lived sixty and five years and begat Methuselah 22. And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years and begat sons and daughters 23. And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years 24. And Enoch walked with God and he was not for God took him 25. And Methuselah lived an hundred eighty and seven years and begat Lamech 26. And Methuselah lived after he begat Lamech seven hundred eighty and two years and begat sons and daughters 27. And all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty and nine years and he died 28. And Lamech lived an hundred eighty and two years and begat a son 29. And he called his name Noah saying This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands because of the ground which the LORD hath cursed 30. And Lamech lived after he begat Noah five hundred ninety and five years and begat sons and daughters 31. And all the days of Lamech were seven hundred seventy and seven years and he died 32. And Noah was five hundred years old and Noah begat Shem Ham and Japheth 1. THE Book of the generations i. e. The Catalogue of those that after
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-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
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
Tears from our Eyes The Greek render it by the first-fruits of the Wine-press The first-born Ch. 13.2 12. and 34.19 30. Thou shalt give it The meaning is that thenceforward it shall be accepted and therefore the Chaldee renders Thou shalt separate It was to continue seven days with the Dam on the eighth day and afterward it was esteemed fit for the Priest as well as for the Altar Levit 22.27 31. Neither c. Levit. 22.8 Ezek. 44.31 CHAP. XXIII The ARGUMENT Of Slander wresting Judgment and respect of persons Of Charity Bribery and Oppression Of the Sabbath and Sabbatical Year Of Idolatry Of the several Festivals An Angel is promised Their Obedience is required and encouraged by several Promises 1. THOV shalt not raise a false report put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness 2. Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment 3. Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause 4. If thou meet thine enemies ox or his ass going astray thou shalt surely bring it back to him again 5. If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden and wouldest forbear to help him thou shalt surely help with him 6. Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause 7. Keep thee far from a false matter and the innocent and righteous slay thou not for I will not justifie the wicked 8. And thou shalt take no gift for a gift blindeth the wise and perverteth the words of the righteous 9. Also thou shalt not oppress a stranger for ye know the heart of a stranger seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt 10. And six years thou shalt sow thy land and shalt gather in the fruits thereof 11. But the seventh year thou shalt let it rest and lie still that the poor of thy people may eat and what they leave the beasts of the field shall eat In like manner thou shalt deal with thy vine-yard and with thy olive-yard 12. Six days thou shalt do thy work and on the seventh day thou shalt rest that thine ox and thine ass may rest and the son of thy hand-maid and the stranger may be refreshed 13. And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect and make no mention of the names of other gods neither let it be heard out of thy mouth 14. Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year 15. Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days as I commanded thee in the time appointed of the month Abib for in it thou camest out from Egypt and none shall appear before me empty 16. And the feast of harvest the first-fruits of thy labours which thou hast sown in the field and the feast of in gathering which is in the end of the year when thou hast gathered in thy labors out of the field 17. Three times in the year all thy males shall appear before the LORD God 18. Thou shalt not offer the blood of my sacrifice with leavened bread neither shall the fat of my sacrifice remain untill the morning 19. The first of the first-fruits of thy land thou shalt bring into the house of the LORD thy God Thou shalt not seeth a kid in his mother's milk 20. Behold I send an Angel before thee to keep thee in the way and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared 21. Beware of him and obey his voice provoke him not for he wâ—â— not pardon your transgressions for my name is in him 22. But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice and do all that I speak then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies and an adversary unto thine adversaries 23. For mine Angel shall go before thee and bring thee in unto the Amorites and the Hittites and the Perizzites and the Canaanites and the Hivites and the Jebusites and I will cut them off 24. Thou shalt not bow down to their gods nor serve them nor do after their works but thou shalt utterly overthrow them and quite break down their images 25. And ye shall serve the LORD your God and he shall bless thy bread and thy water and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee 26. There shall nothing cast their young nor be barren in thy land the number of thy days I will fulfill 27. I will send my fear before thee and will destroy all the people to whom thou shalt come and I will make all thine enemies turn their backs unto thee 28. And I will send hornets before thee which shall drive out the Hivite the Canaanite and the Hittite from before thee 29. I will not drive them out from before thee in one year lest the land become desolate and the beast of the field multiply against thee 30. By little and little I will drive them out from before thee untill thou be increased and inherit the land 31. And I will set thy bounds from the Red sea even unto the sea of the Philistines and from the desart unto the river for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand and thou shalt drive them out before thee 32. Thou shalt make no covenant with them nor with their gods 33. They shall not dwell in thy land lest they make thee sin against me for if thou serve their gods it will surely be a snare unto thee 1. RAise Or Receive Put not thine hand c. i. e. Consent not to See Prov. 11.21 These words and the following are directed to Judges See Phil. Judae 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2. Speak Heb. Answer 3. A poor man Vid. Levit. 19.15 4. Or his ass Or any other breast that belongs to him Deut. 22.1 2 3. 5. If thou see c. Deut. 22.4 And wouldest forbear to help him Or Wilt thou cease to help him Or And wouldest cease to leave thy business for him Thou shalt surely leave it to join with him 6. Of thy poor i. e. Of thy poor Neighbour Deut. 27.19 7. From a false matter Or from a false word or lye 8. Thou shalt c. Deut. 16.19 Ecclus 20.29 Wise Heb. Seeing 9. Not oppress This Precept seems to be given to Judges and Magistrates that ch 22.21 to private Men. Heart Heb. Soul 10. Six years Levit 25.3 11. Let it rest c. i. e. Thou shalt not sow the Land nor gather the fruits See v. 10. and Lev. 25.4 May eat What Fruits the Vines and Trees produce as well as what the the Earth should bring forth from some scattered and remaining Seeds Vine-yard Which thou shalt not prune Lev. 25.4 Olive-yard Or Olive-trees 12. Six days Ch. 20.8 Deut. 5.13 Luk. 13.14 13. Of the names i. e. With any honour or regard to them See Deut. 12.3 Josh 23.7 Ps 16.4 Hos 2.17 Nah. 1.14 It not being absolutely unlawfull to mention the
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
c. The Condition whereof is mentioned v. 9. If thou shalt keep all these commandments c. 14. Thou shalt not remove thy neighbour's land mark c. This Precept is very seasonably subjoined to that of Man-slaughter and Murther the removing of Land-marks being an occasion of great quarrels and shedding of Blood and it was not to be allowed it being against the Constitution of their Forefathers who divided the several Bounds of their Inheritance by Divine Direction which is intimated in the following words Which they of old time have set c. Prov. 22.28 15. One witness See chap. 17.6 and the Note upon that place 17. Shall stand before the LORD That is in a case of this difficulty they shall as is directed ch 17.8 come to the place which God should choose to place his Name there which may well be implyed in standing before the LORD see the Note upon Levit. 1.5 to the priests and judges which shall be in those days 18. A diligent inquisition For it being a matter of difficulty to detect a false Witness it required great Diligence It appears plainly that it was not a matter of Faith that they were concerned in but of Fact onely And the False-witness being liable to the Evil which he designed to bring upon his Brother it was needfull that a strict Inquisition should be made 19. Put the evil away Both the evil Man and such evil Practices as is implyed v. 20. 21. Life shall go for life eye for eye c. See the Note on Exod. 21.24 CHAP. XX. The ARGUMENT They are required not to be afraid of their Enemies against whom they were to fight The part of the Priest and Officers on this occasion How to use the Cities that accept or refuse the offers of Peace Who they are that are to be destroyed absolutely Of the Trees which may and may not be destroyed in a Siege 1. WHen thou goest out to battel against thine enemies and seest horses and chariots and a people more then thou be not afraid of them for the LORD thy God is with thee which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt 2. And it shall be when ye are come nigh unto the battel that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people 3. And shall say unto them Hear O Israel you approach this day unto battel against your enemies let not your hearts faint fear not and do not tremble neither be ye terrified because of them 4. For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you to fight for you against your enemies to save you 5. And the officers shall speak unto the people saying What man is there that hath built a new house and hath not dedicated it let him go and return to his house lest he die in the battel and another man dedicate it 6. And what man is he that hath planted a vineyard and hath not yet eaten of it let him also go and return unto his house lest he die in the battel and another man eat of it 7. And what man is there that hath betrothed a wife and hath not taken her let him go and return unto his house lest he die in battel and another man take her 8. And the officers shall speak further unto the people and they shall say What man is there that is fearfull and faint-hearted let him go and return unto his house lest his brethrens heart faint as well as his heart 9. And it shall be when the officers have made an end of speaking unto the people that they shall make captains of the armies to lead the people 10. When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it then proclaim peace unto it 11. And it shall be if it make thee answer of peace and open unto thee then it shall be that all the people that is found therein shall be tributaries unto thee and they shall serve thee 12. And if it will make no peace with thee but will make war against thee then thou shalt besiege it 13. And when the LORD thy God hath delivered it unto thine hands thou shalt smite every male thereof with the edge of the sword 14. But the women and the little ones and the cattel and all that is in the city even all the spoil thereof shalt thou take unto thy self and thou shalt eat the spoil of thine enemies which the LORD thy God hath given thee 15. Thus shalt thou do unto all the cities which are very far off from thee which are not of the cities of these nations 16. But of the cities of these people which the LORD thy God doth give thee for an inheritance thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth 17. But thou shalt utterly destroy them namely the Hittites and the Amorites the Canaanites and the Perizzites the Hivites and the Jebusites as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee 18. That they teach you not to do after all their abominations which they have done unto their gods so should ye sin against the LORD your God 19. When thou shalt besiege a city a long time in making war against it to take it thou shalt not destroy the trees thereof by forcing an ax against them for thou mayest eat of them and thou shalt not cut them down for the tree of the field is man's life to employ them in the siege 20. Onely the trees which thou knowest that they be not trees for meat thou shalt destroy and cut them down and thou shalt build bulwarks against the city that maketh war with thee until it be subdued 1. WHich brought thee up out of the land of Egypt This is here mentioned as a famous instance of the Power of God who brought them out of Egypt notwithstanding all the Craft and Power of the Egyptians which combined against them 2. The priest This was a Priest who was set a-part on purpose for this affair as the Jews tell us who call him The priest anointed for the war See Numb 31.6 3. Tremble Heb. Make haste Do not give way as the Vulgar hath it or be not forward to fly from the approaching danger 5. What man is there that hath built c. The reason of this and the other two Cases which next follow seems to be this That Men in these Circumstances were therefore discharged because they would be apt to be intangled with these cares and thereby rendred less serviceable in the War To this the Apostle seems to allude No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life 2 Tim. 2.4 Dedicated That is he hath not enjoyed it which Men began to do with a Feast upon their first entrance see the Title to Psalm 30. Nehem. 12.27 or at least some expressions of Joy 6. And hath not yet eaten of it Heb. And hath not yet made it common The Law was this that when they planted Trees for Food which Law extended to Vines Ezek. 15.6 compared with Jer. 31.5 they
them with the poison of serpents of the dust 25. The sword without and terrour within shall destroy both the young man and the virgin the suckling also with the man of gray hairs 26. I said I would scatter them into corners I would make the remembrance of them to cease from among men 27. Were it not that I feared the wrath of the enemy lest their adversaries should behave themselves strangely and lest they should say Our hand is high and the LORD hath not done all this 28. For they are a nation void of counsel neither is there any understanding in them 29. O that they were wise that they understood this that they would consider their latter end 30. How should one chase a thousand and two put ten thousand to flight except their Rock had sold them and the LORD had shut them up 31. For their rock is not as our rock even our enemies themselves being judges 32. For their vine is of the vine of Sodom and of the fields of Gomorrah their grapes are grapes of gall their clusters are bitter 33. Their wine is the poison of dragons and the cruel venom of asps 34. Is not this laid up in store with me and sealed up among my treasures 35. To me belongeth vengeance and recompence their foot shall slide in due time for the day of their calamity is at hand and the things that shall come upon them make haste 36. For the LORD shall judge his people and repent himself for his servants When he seeth that their power is gone and there is none shut up or left 37. And he shall say Where are their gods their rock in whom they trusted 38. Which did eat the fat of their sacrifices and drank the wine of their drink-offerings let them rise up and help you and be your protection 39. See now that I even I am he and there is no god with me I kill and I make alive I wound and I heal neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand 40. For I lift up my hand to heaven and say I live for ever 41. If I whet my glittering sword and mine hand take hold on judgment I will render vengeance to mine enemies and will reward them that hate me 42. I will make mine arrows drunk with blood and my sword shall devour flesh and that with the blood of the slain and of the captives from the beginning of revenges upon the enemy 43. Rejoice O ye nations with his people for he will avenge the blood of his servants and will render vengeance to his adversaries and will be merciful unto his land and to his people 44. And Moses came and spake all the words of this song in the ears of the people he and Hoshea the son of Nun. 45. And Moses made an end of speaking all these words to all Israel 46. And he said unto them Set your hearts unto all the words which I testifie among you this day which ye shall command your children to observe to do all the words of this law 47. For it is not a vain thing for you because it is your life and through this thing you shall prolong your days in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it 48. And the LORD spake unto Moses that self same day saying 49. Get thee up into this mountain Abarim unto mount Nebo which is in the land of Moab that is over against Jericho and behold the land of Canaan which I give unto the children of Israel for a possession 50. And die in the mount whither thou goest up and be gathered unto thy people as Aaron thy brother died in mount Hor and was gathered unto his people 51. Because ye trespassed aginst me among the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah-kadesh in the wilderness of Zin because ye sanctified me not in the midst of the children of Israel 52. Yet thou shalt see the land before thee but thou shalt not go thither unto the land which I give the children of Israel 1. GIve ear O ye heavens c. Moses doth in these words what he promised chap. 31.28 call heaven and earth to record against them And this he does in the very entrance and beginning of this Song to raise and awaken in them the greater attention it being a matter of great moment when he solemnly calls upon the Heaven and the Earth to hear Isa 1.2 Compare chap. 4.26 and 30.19 Psal 50.4 Jer. 2.12 and 6.19 2. My doctrine shall drop as the rain That is it shall be fitted to gain its end upon Men that are disposed to receive it as the Rain is for the fructifying the Earth Isa 55.10 11. 1 Cor. 3.6 7 8. 3. I will publish the name of the LORD i. e. I will proclaim as the Hebrew word signifies and is rendred Prov. 20.6 the Divine Perfections and this he does in the following Verse Ascribe ye c. It is your part to magnifie him as ye ought Psal 68.34 4. He is the rock c. i. e. God is the Rock he is stable and immutable and a sure Foundation to rest upon And his Works are without any flaw or fault his dealings with Men are just and unexceptionable he is true and sincere in all his Declarations In a word he is upright and just and one who never swerves from that which is right 5. They have corrupted themselves c. i. e. They have sinned as the Greek and Vulgar have it and have been so far from imitating God whose work is perfect c. that they have been most unlike him their Crimes being of so high a nature that they speak them to be not his peculiar People but a perverse and crooked Generation 6. That bought thee that hath redeemed thee out of Egypt Vid. Exod. 15.16 To this purpose the Psalmist Remember the congregation which thou hast purchased of old the rod of thine inheritance which thou hast redeemed Psal 74.2 This was a great aggravation of their sin that they denied the Lord which bought them 2 Pet. 2.1 Compare Isa 1.3 and 1 Cor. 6.20 Made thee The Hebrew word which we translate made is observed to signifie to advance and so it is rendred 1 Sam. 12.6 and this seems to be the import of it in this place God's creating them is implyed before in that he is said to be their Father Established thee i. e. Fixed and settled thee 8. Divided c. Of which see Gen. ch 10. and chap. 11. He set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel i. e. He assigned to the Canaanites and the other Inhabitants of the Land called from them the Land of Canaan such a proportion of Land as would suffice the Israelites to whom it was designed when their Iniquities were full when they were come out of Egypt and were ready to possess it 9. The lot Heb. cord of his inheritance i. e. The Inheritance peculiarly belonging to him