from that it being one of the most difficult and obscure Passages of the whole Pentateuch But still here is nothing proved That Moses wrote this Book called The Wars of the Lord appears not And granting it to be true it is nothing to the purpose For why might not Moses cite a Book of his own Writing as well as another and later Author And what if Moses did write the Wars of Amalek must he therefore write that of the Amorites Warring against the Moabites before he was concerned with them also These kind of pretences may amuse some that are not given to Thinking they can never prevail with them that consider duly Obj. X. 'T is pretended that the Pentateuch was not written by Moses but rather of him And that because Moses is generally mentioned by the Writer as a third Person And besides that we find Moses is commended in the Pentateuch Numb 12.6 8. Deut. 34.10 And if we take him for the Writer of those Books we must suppose him also to have commended himself which will hardly be granted in a Man of so great Humility and Wisdom as Moses was I answer 1. As to the Pretence that Moses is not the Author because he speaks of himself as of a third Person then it follows That whoever does in his History or Work mâ—ntion himself as Moses in these Books is supposed to do he cannot be the Author of that Book or Relation This wou'd be to conclude too much And yet if this Proposition be not true tâ—â—â— Objection hath so far as it goes no manner of force in it That he cannot be the Author of a Book that mentions himself as a third Person may be affirm'd indeed easily but can never be proved If this were admitted we must discharge several Authors of the Books of the Holy Scriptures both of the Old and New Testament also and then we must not believe that Julius Caesar wrote the Commentaries that go under his name or Josephus that part of his reputed Works where he speaks of himself as of a Third Person 'T is hardly credible that the Objectors can believe the Consequence of this Objection and I think there is no fear if they should that any indifferent Person shou'd believe with them 2. As to the second Part of the Objection That we cannot suppose that Moses wou'd commend himself nor consequently that he shou'd write the Pentateuch where he is commended I answer That this Objection whatever may be inferr'd from it does not conclude that Moses was not the Author of these Books For 't is not impossible for a Man to write an Encomium of himself But let us consider the Matter more closely 'T is said indeed that the Man Moses was very meek above all the Men which were upon the face of the Earth Numb 12.3 This is said upon occasion of what was said against him by Miriam and Aaron They spake against him very sharply Upon which 't is said And the Lord heard it Moses is not said to take notice of it himself He was not like to give any just offence nor apt to fall into anger when others reproach'd him It follows Now the man Moses was very meek c. I do not see what there is in these words unbecoming Moses Here 's no boasting or pride no shadow or foot-steps of it He had a just occasion to mention that he had neither provoked these angry persons nor did he highly resent the reproaches they followed him with He might say this well enough and ascribe due honour to God who had wrought this Temper in him The best Man in the World may well be allowed to defend his own Innocence and to own the great Things which God hath done for him The Objection will lie against Job against the Psalmist against St. Paul as well as against Moses if a good Man may not lawfully upon any occasion speak well of himself For what follows in v. 6 7 8. where Moses is preferr'd to any other Prophet 't is certain that they are the Words not of Moses but of God himself And well might he write what God himself said upon this occasion especially when it tended so much to justifie his Divine Mission upon the credit whereof the success of all his Ministry intirely depended The Sin of Moses is related Numb 20.12 and the Punishment inflicted on him on that account The relating of this is as strong an Objection against another Person 's writing these Books as what is nam'd above is against Moses For supposing another Person had been the Writer that Writer must be suppos'd not onely to relate what we read Numb 20. but to repeat it frequently also Obj. XI It is pretended that Moses cannot be supposed to be the Author of those words Exod. 6. These are that Aaron and Moses to whom the Lord said Bring out the children of Israel from the land of Egypt according to their armies These are they which spake to Pharaoh King of Egypt to bring out the children of Israel from Egypt These are that Moses and Aaron v. 26 27. 'T is suppos'd that Moses wou'd not write thus of himself I answer 1. That he may well be suppos'd to write as a Third Person as hath been shewed before And then 2. Allowing him to write for the sake of Posterity and not onely for the Persons of that present Age of which there can be no doubt He may well be granted to be the Writer of these words concerning himself and Aaron who were both greatly concerned in the Matters related afterwards Obj. XII The Author of the Book call'd Tractatus Theologico politicus mentions some other Books written by Moses and wou'd thence inferr by a way of reasoning peculiar to himself that Moses was not the Author of the Pentateuch He mentions the Book of the Covenant Exod. 24. This Book he says contains very little viz. Those Precepts onely which are found from Exod. 20.24 to chap. 24. And he allows that Moses wrote the Book of the Law of God Deut. 31.9 which Joshua afterwards enlarged viz. with the Relation of the Covenant which the People enter'd into in his Time Josh 24.25 26. And because we have no Book that contains at once the Covenant of Moses and that of Joshua he concludes that this Book of the Law is lost He grants that Moses wrote a Book of the Law and gave it to the Priests with a Command that it shou'd be at a certain time read unto the People which cou'd not therefore be the Pentateuch that being too great a Volume to be read at one Solemnity He grants also that Moses wrote the Song mentioned Deut. 32. And this Book of the Law containing part of the Deuteronomy and this Song is all that he will allow him to have written and left to Posterity I answer 1. I am willing to grant that the Book of the Covenant might not contain more than three or four Chapters of Laws And let it
Court of the Priests which with respect to the outer Court 2 Chron. 4.9 and much more to the Camp of Israel c. was a most holy Place as not receiving any but the most holy and separated sort of Persons Holy unto thee Consecrated to thee says the Vulgar That is None â—ut the Priest's Family might eat thereof Levit. 6.18 11. And this Here follows an account of what was the Priest's due from those Sacrifices which were less Holy which might be eaten by Women and Servants Levit. 22.10 11 12 13. with ch 10.14 Levit 7.34 12. Best Heb. Fat. Given thee Deut. 18.4 13. Which they shall bring i. e. Which they shall bring of their Good-will 14. Every thing devoted Lev. 27.28 15. The matrice Exod. 13.2 and 22.29 Lev. 27.26 chap. 3.13 And the firstling of unclean beasts shalt thou redeem If we look into the Book of Exodus we shall find it said Every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem ch 13.13 This makes it highly probable that an Ass is put there for other Beasts which were unclean for Sacrifice See the Note on that place 16. From a month old See Numb 3.47 Which is twenty gerahs Exod. 30.13 Levit. 27.23 ch 3.47 Ezek. 45.12 17. Holy i. e. Separated or set a-part See Deut. 15.19 18. Wave-breast Exod. 29.26 19. A covenant of salt i. e. a sure and lasting one 2 Chron. 13.5 20. No Inheritance The Levites in the distribution of the Land had not a portion of the Land with the other Tribes but had their Cities to dwell in Josh 21.4 I am thy part Deut. 10.9.18.2 Josh 13.14 33. Ezek. 44.28 God may be said to be the part of the Priests both as he gave them those Gifts which were presented to him and as he would more especially bless them Deut. 18.1 Psal 73.26 21. For an inheritance i. e. instead of a Portion of the Land which the other Tribes received v. 23 24. 22. And die Heb. To die 26. For the LORD viz. To be given to the Priest who was the Lord's Receiver See v. 28. and the Note on v. 20. 27. And this your c. That is This payment of yours shall be accepted as well as if you had received Lands with the other Tribes and had paid the Tithe out of the Increase of them as they were obliged to do 29. Best Heb. Fat. 30. As the increase c. i. e. What remains shall be as much the Levites and as freely to be used by them as any other part of any Man's increase is at the owners liberty See v. 31. 32. And ye shall bear no sin c. i. e. Then ye shall be free from Guilt upon this account CHAP. XIX The ARGUMENT Of the Red Heifer burnt to Ashes The Water of Separation and the use of it for the Purification of the clean 1. AND the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron saying 2. This is the ordinance of the law which the LORD hath commanded saying Speak unto the children of Israel that they bring thee a red heifer without spot wherein is no blemish and upon which never came yoke 3. And ye shall give her unto Eleazar the priest that he may bring her forth without the camp and one shall slay her before his face 4. And Eleazar the priest shall take of her blood with his finger and sprinkle of her blood directly before the tabernacle of the congregation seven times 5. And one shall burn the heifer in his sight her skin and her flesh and her blood with her dung shall he burn 6. And the priest shall take cedar-wood and hyssop and scarlet and cast it into the midst of the burning of the heifer 7. Then the priest shall wash his clothes and he shall bathe his flesh in water and afterward he shall come into the camp and the priest shall be unclean until the even 8. And he that burneth her shall wash his clothes in water and bathe his flesh in water and shall be unclean until the even 9. And a man that is clean shall gather up the ashes of the heifer and lay them up without the camp in a clean place and it shall be kept for the congregation of the children of Israel for a water of separation it is a purification for sin 10. And he that gathereth the ashes of the heifer shall wash his clothes and be unclean until the even and it shall be unto the children of Israel and unto the stranger that sojourneth among them for a statute for ever 11. He that toucheth the dead body of any man shall be unclean seven days 12. He shall purifie himself with it on the third day and on the seventh day he shall be clean but if he purifie not himself the third day then the seventh day he shall not be clean 13. Whosoever toucheth the dead body of any man that is dead and purifieth not himself defileth the tabernacle of the LORD and that soul shall be cut off from Israel because the water of separation was not sprinkled upon him he shall be unclean his uncleanness is yet upon him 14. This is the law when a man dieth in a tent all that come into the tent and all that is in the tent shall be unclean seven days 15. And every open vessel which hath no covering bound upon it is unclean 16. And whosoever toucheth one that is slain with a sword in the open fields or a dead body or a bone of a man or a grave shall be unclean seven days 17. And for an unclean person they shall take of the ashes of the 〈◊〉 heifer of purification for sin and running water shall be put thereto in a vessel 18. And a clean person shall take hyssop and dip it in the water and sprinkle it upon the tent and upon all the vessels and upon the persons that were there and upon him that touched a bone or one slain or one dead or a grave 19. And the clean person shall sprinkle upon the unclean on the third day and on the seventh day and on the seventh day he shall purifie himself and wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and shall be clean at even 20. But the man that shall be unclean and shall not purifie himself that soul shall be cut off from among the congregation because he hath defiled the sanctuary of the LORD the water of separation hath not been sprinkled upon him he is unclean 21. And it shall be a perpetual statute unto them that he that sprinkleth the water of separation shall wash his clothes and he that toucheth the water of separation shall be unclean until even 22. And whatsoever the unclean person toucheth shall be unclean and the soul that toucheth it shall be unclean until even 2. Which the LORD hath commanded i. e. Which God commanded Moses before For the Law required that the Unclean should be kept out of the Camp ch 5. and it may well be supposed that the Water of Purification
hearken to the voice of the first sign that they will believe the voice of the latter sign 9. And it shall come to pass if they will not believe also these two signs neither hearken unto thy voice that thou shalt take of the water of the river and pour it upon the dry-land and the water which thou takest out of the river shall become blood upon the dry-land 10. And Moses said unto the LORD O my Lord I am not eloquent neither heretofore nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant but I am slow of speech and of a slow tongue 11. And the LORD said unto him Who hath made man's mouth or who maketh the dumb or deaf or the seeing or the blind have not I the LORD 12. Now therefore go and I will be with thy mouth and teach thee what thou shalt say 13. And he said O my Lord send I pray thee by the hand of him whom thou wilt send 14. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses and he said Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother I know that he can speak well And also behold he cometh forth to meet thee and when he seeth thee he will be glad in his heart 15. And thou shalt speak unto him and put words in his mouth and I will be with thy mouth and with his mouth and will teach you what ye shall do 16. And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people and he shall be even he shall be to thee in stead of a mouth and thou shalt be to him in stead of God 17. And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand wherewith thou shalt do signs 18. And Moses went and returned to Jethro his father-in-law and said unto him Let me go I pray thee and return unto my brethren which are in Egypt and see whether they be yet alive And Jethro said to Moses Go in peace 19. And the LORD said unto Moses in Midian Go return into Egypt for all the men are dead which sought thy life 20. And Moses took his wife and his sons and set them upon an ass and he returned to the land of Egypt And Moses took the rod of God in his hand 21. And the LORD said unto Moses When thou goest to return into Egypt see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh which I have put in thine hand but I will harden his heart that he shall not let the people go 22. And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh Thus saith the LORD Israel is my son even my first-born 23. And I say unto thee Let my son go that he may serve me and if thou refuse to let him go behold I will slay thy son even thy first-born 24. And it came to pass by the way in the inn that the LORD met him and sought to kill him 25. Then Zipporah took a sharp stone and cut off the fore-skin of her son and cast it at his feet and said Surely a bloudy husband art thou to me 26. So he let him go then she said A bloudy husband thou art because of the circumcision 27. And the LORD said to Aaron Go into the wilderness to meet Moses And he went and met him in the mount of God and kissed him 28. And Moses told Aaron all the words of the LORD who had sent him and all the signs which he had commanded him 29. And Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel 30. And Aaron spake all the words which the LORD had spoken unto Moses and did the signs in the sight of the people 31. And the people believed and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel and that he had looked upon their affliction then they bowed their heads and worshipped 1. THey will not believe Moses might well suppose that the Israelites would not presently and without a sign give him credit See v. 9. and compare it with ch 3.18 2. What is that in thine hand These words make way for that which follows 4. It became a rod in his hand As this sign was designed to gain the Israelites belief v. 5. so it was very instructive also to them The turning of a rod or staff into a Serpent did fitly represent their past and their present Condition under Pharaoh And the turning the Serpent into a Rod or Staff was a fair Symbol of that deliverance from their present Bondage which was promised to them Besides Moses is confirmed and encouraged in his Office which he would have declined as he fled from the Serpent by his taking the Serpent by the Tail and turning it into a Staff 5. That they may be believe c. These words acquaint us with the great End of this Sign See John 20.31 6. As snow This was afterward reputed a sign of a most dangerous sort of Leprosie see Numb 12.10 12. and therefore a fit Symbol of the calamitous condition of the Israelites at this time 7. As his other flesh And this might fairly put them in mind that their present condition was not without hope 8. That they will believe Or that they may believe For these words do not so much fore-tell the Event see v. 9. as they do the design and purpose of these Signs 9. Shall become Heb. Shall be and shall be i. e. It shall certainly be so 10. Eloquent Heb. A man of words i. e. He was not of a ready speech or utterance Heretofore Heb. Since yesterday nor since the third day An usual form of speech among the Hebrews this is by which they describe the time past Nor since thou hast spoken c. i. e. This want of utterance hath not been removed since thou hast given me Commission to go into Egypt 12. With thy mouth See Matth. 10.19 Mark 13.11 Luke 12.11 13. Wilt send Or shouldest send Many have thought that Moses means the Messias whom God would send Send by the hand of him who is fit to be sent says the Chaldee 16. Thou shalt be to him instead of God Vid. Ch. 7. 1. Thou shalt command him and make my Will known to him 20. Sons His two Sons Gershom and Eliezer An ass The Greek renders it in the Plural the Enallage of Number is very usual with the Sacred Writers The rod of God i. e. The Rod or Staff which God commanded him to take v. 17. and with which he was to work Signs 21. I will harden c. i. e. I will after he hath hardened his own heart leave him to his stubbornness and impenitence See ch 9.34 22. First-born i. e. Beloved and favoured more than the other Nations as the first-born 24. The LORD met him The Angel of the Lord say the Greek and Chaldee Sought to kill him i. e. Inflicted probably some disease upon him 25. Sharp stone Or knife which according to the Custom then was made of a sharpened stone vid. Josh 5.2 Cast it Heb. Made it touch His feet i. e. The
Child 's whom she circumcised Surely a bloody Husband art thou to me What we translate Husband is observed to signifie Son-in-law And these words are with great probability supposed to express that her Son was now circumcised and to be referred to her Son not to Moses who is called a bloudy Son because of the Circumcision By Circumcision persons were admitted into Covenant and received into the Church and Family of the true God And he that was thus received might very fitly be called by this Name which signifies one received into a Family by Marriage He was henceforth a Son of God and obliged to obey the Laws of this Church or Family Gal. 5.3 compare Josh 5.9 See Mr. Mede's Disc on the place 30. Spake Vid. v. 16. And did i. e. Moses did see v. 17. 31. Bowed Out of Reverence and Thankfulness to God CHAP. V. The ARGUMENT Pharaoh refuseth to let the Israelites go out of Egypt instead of that does encrease their task and refuseth to hear their just Complaints They thereupon apply themselves to Moses and Aaron and Moses represents their case to God 1. AND afterwards Moses and Aaron went in and told Pharaoh Thus saith the LORD God of Israel Let my people go that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness 2. And Pharaoh said Who is the LORD that I should obey his voice to let Israel go I know not the LORD neither will I let Israel go 3. And they said The God of the Hebrews hath met with us let us go we pray thee three days journey into the desart and sacrifice unto the LORD our God lest he fall upon us with pestilence or with the sword 4. And the king of Egypt said unto them Wherefore do ye Moses and Aaron let the people from their works get you unto your burdens 5. And Pharaoh said Behold the people of the land now are many and you make them rest from their burdens 6. And Pharaoh commanded the same day the task-masters of the people and their officers saying 7. Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick as heretofore let them go and gather straw for themselves 8. And the tale of the bricks which they did make heretofore you shall lay upon them you shall not diminish ought thereof for they be idle therefore they cry saying Let us go and sacrifice to our God 9. Let there more work be laid upon the men that they may labor therein and let them not regard vain words 10. And the task-masters of the people went out and their officers and they spake to the people saying Thus saith Pharaoh I will not give you straw 11. Go ye get you straw where you can find it yet not ought of your work shall be diminished 12. So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble in stead of straw 13. And the task-masters hasted them saying Fulfill your works your daily tasks as when there was straw 14. And the officers of the children of Israel which Pharaoh's task-masters had set over them were beaten and demanded Wherefore have ye not fulfilled your task in making brick both yesterday and to day as heretofore 15. Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried unto Pharaoh saying Wherefore dealest thou thus with thy servants 16 There is no straw given unto thy servants and they say to us Make brick and behold thy servants are beaten but the fault is in thine own people 17. But he said Ye are idle ye are idle therefore ye say Let us go and do sacrifice to the LORD 18. Go therefore now and work for there shall no straw be given you yet shall ye deliver the tale of bricks 19. And the officers of the children of Israel did see that they were in evil case after it was said Ye shall not minish ought from your bricks of your daily task 20. And they met Moses and Aaron who stood in the way as they came forth from Pharaoh 21. And they said unto them The LORD look upon you and judge because you have made our savour to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of his servants to put a sword in their hands to slay us 22. And Moses returned unto the LORD and said Lord wherefore hast thou so evil intreated this people why is it that thou hast sent me 23. For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name he hath done evil unto this people neither hast thou delivered thy people at all 1. GO Viz. Out of Egypt See ch 4.23 That they may hold a feast unto me i. e. A Religious feast Let my Son go that he may serve me Ch. 4.23 Sacrifice was a considerable part of this Service v. 3. In the Wilderness The Wilderness was a convenient place for the Service and Worship of God which requires great attention and abstraction The Labors of Egypt and the Wars and Conquests of Canaan could not but be in great measure an hindrance to them And Philo brings in Moses and Aaron saying thus to Pharaoh viz. That they must in the Wilderness perform their sacred Rites which were different from those of other Men and that also after such a way and manner as required recess because of the different usages in this Divine Worship from what was elsewhere practised or allowed De vit Mos 2. Who is the LORD c. The Name of the Lord is not revealed unto me says the Chaldee See ch 3.19 3. The God of the Hebrews hath met with us Vid. Ch. 3.18 The God who wrought great Deliverances for the Hebrews and particularly for Abraham Isaac and Jacob who were of that Race and is therefore able to save his Servants Lest he fall upon us c. Which would prove a loss to Pharaoh 4. Wherefore do ye c. Pharaoh takes no notice of what Moses and Aaron said v. 3. which contained Motives to persuade him to let them go 6. Task-masters of the people and their officers These Task-masters were Egyptians appointed to exact Labour from the Israelites But the Officers were Israelites who were by the Egyptians set over their Brethren and to see that they did their task and were to answer for their neglect See v. 14. and v. 19. These are rendred by the Greek by a word that signifies Scribes and were probably of the Elders of the People ch 3.18 7. Straw to make Brick This Straw was either to mingle with the Earth of which the Bricks were made or perhaps to burn the Brick with which latter is a sense not at all repugnant to the words used in the Hebrew 8. Therefore c. Their desire of going out of Egypt to serve God is by Pharaoh imputed to idleness both here and v. 17. Whereas in truth though the Worship of God require Abstraction from worldly Cares see the Note on v. 1. Yet he that serves and worships God as he ought to do is so far
from being idle that he is not onely employed in the main and greatest business but does it with all his Power and Might It requires the whole Man and the greatest Application that is possible 9. Let there more work c. Heb. Let the work be heavy upon the men 13. Your daily tasks Heb. A matter of a day in his day i. e. so much as is expected every day 14. The officers of the children of Israel who were Israelites See v. 6. 15. Vnto Pharaoh And not unto the Task-masters who were set over them upon a presumption that Pharaoh did not allow of their oppression and out of hopes that he would redress it 16. In thine own people i. e. In the Task-masters They do not here charge Pharaoh 21. To be abhorred Heb. To stink i. e. We are rendred vile in the sight of Pharaoh 22. Vnto the Lord Who was alone able to help them in their Calamity 23. Neither hast thou delivered thy people at all Hebr. Delivering thou hast not delivered CHAP. VI. The ARGUMENT God reneweth his Promise of delivering the Israelites out of Egypt Of the name JEHOVAH Moses is again commanded to go unto Pharaoh Of the Families of Reuben Simeon and Levi. 1. THEN the LORD said unto Moses Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh for with a strong hand shall he let them go and with a strong hand shall he drive them out of his land 2. And God spake unto Moses and said unto him I am the LORD 3. And I appeared unto Abraham unto Isaac and unto Jacob by the name of God Almighty but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them 4. And I have also established my covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan the land of their pilgrimage wherein they were strangers 5. And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel whom the Egyptians keep in bondage and I have remembred my covenant 6. Wherefore say unto the children of Israel I am the LORD and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians and I will rid you out of their bondage and I will redeem you with a stretched-out arm and with great judgments 7. And I will take you to me for a people and I will be to you a God and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians 8. And I will bring you in unto the land concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham to Isaac and to Jacob and I will give it you for an heritage I am the LORD 9. And Moses spake so unto the children of Israel but they hearkened not unto Moses for anguish of spirit and for cruel bondage 10. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 11. Go in speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt that he let the children of Israel go out of his land 12. And Moses spake before the LORD saying Behold the children of Israel have not hearkened unto me how then shall Pharaoh hear me who am of uncircumcised lips 13. And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron and gave them a charge unto the children of Israel and unto Pharaoh king of Egypt to bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt 14. These be the heads of their fathers houses The sons of Reuben the first-born of Israel Hanoch and Pallu Hezron and Carmi these be the families of Reuben 15. And the sons of Simeon Jemuel and Jamin and Ohad and Jachin and Zohar and Shaul the son of a Canaanitish woman these are the families of Simeon 16. And these are the names of the sons of Levi according to their generations Gershon and Kohath and Merari And the years of the life of Levi were an hundred thirty and seven years 17. The sons of Gershon Libni and Shimi according to their families 18. And the sons of Kohath Amram and Izhar and Hebron and Vzziel And the years of the life of Kohath were an hundred thirty and three years 19. And the sons of Merari Mahali and Mushi these are the families of Levi according to their generations 20. And Amram took him Jochebed his father's sister to wife and she bare him Aaron and Moses And the years of the life of Amram were an hundred and thirty and seven years 21. And the sons of Izhar Korah and Nepheg and Zichri 22. And the sons of Vzziel Mishael and Elzaphan and Zithri 23. And Aaron took him Elisheba daughter of Aminadab sister of Naashon to wife and she bare him Nadab and Abihu Eleazar and Ithamar 24. And the sons of Korah Assir and Elkanah and Abiasaph these are the families of the Korhites 25. And Eleazar Aaron's son took him one of the daughters of Pâ—tiel to wife and she bare him Phinehas these are the heads of the fathers of the Levites according to their families 26. These are that Aaron and Moses to whom the LORD said bring out the children of Israel from the land of Egypt according to their armies 27. These are they which spake to Pharaoh king of Egypt to bring out the children of Israel from Egypt these are that Moses and Aaron 28. And it came to pass on the day when the LORD spake unto Moses in the land of Egypt 29. That the LORD spake unto Moses saying I am the LORD speak thou unto Pharaoh king of Egypt all that I say unto thee 30. And Moses said before the LORD Behold I am of uncircumcised lips and how shall Pharaoh hearken unto me 1. WITH a strong hand i. e. Being thereunto compelled with severe Judgments V. c. 3. v. 19 20. 3. God Almighty Or God All-sufficient V. Gen. 17.1 God gave unto Abraham Isaac and Jacob great proofs of his Almighty Power and many promises also of the Land of Canaan But by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them It is not said That this name was not known to them See Gen. 22.14 Nor can the words be understood of the Letters of the Name but it is by my name JEHOVAH was I not known c. By this name must be understood that which it doth signifie JEHOVAH denotes not onely God's Eternal Being but his giving of Being to other things and especially the performing his Promise Now Abraham Isaac and Jacob had received Promises but enjoyed not the thing promised The time was now come in which God would bring to pass what he had promised and now they should know that he is the Lord V. Isa 49.23 c. 52.6 c. 60.16 The knowing him by his name JEHOVAH implies the receiving from him what he had promised before He is not called JEHOVAH till he had finished the Creation Gen. 2.4 The doing of that which He before decreed and promised speaks Him to be JEHOVAH See Exod. 20.2 This Interpretation agrees exactly with the Context For in the very next words God lets them know that he would make good his Promise which is expressed
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
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
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
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
he shall be as one that is born in the land for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof 49. One law shall be to him that is home-born and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you 50. Thus did all the children of Israel as the LORD commanded Moses and Aaron so did they 51. And it came to pass the self-same day that the LORD did bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies 1. SPake Sometime before the Israelites went out of Egypt and it is likely it might be before the Darkness 2. This month It is called Abib c. 13.4 And afterwards was called Nisan Esth 3.7 it answers to our March The first month of the year i. e. Of the Sacred not of the Civil Year It is certain the seventh Month or Tisri which answers to our September was even after this the first Month of the Year and very probable it is that it was so from the beginning in all respects insome accounts Tisri began the Civil Year and was reckoned the first Month with respect to the Sabbatical Year and Jubilee Vid. c. 23.16 c. 34.22 Lev. 25.8 9. But then this Month was the beginning of the Sacred or Ecclesiastical Year and with respect to the Holy Days and Festivals which God appointed To you Not in all respects but to you especially in the sense before explained and with a particular reference to their Redemption out of Egypt It was at this time that our Lord Jesus Christ suffered for our Redemption Joh. 18.28 And there is a Tradition among the Jews That as they were redeemed from Egypt on the fifteenth day of Nisan so they should on the same day be redeemed by the Messias 3. Tenth day That they might have their Lamb in a readiness This seems peculiarly to belong to the Passover of Egypt and not to oblige them in future times It doth however fitly represent our Saviour's coming to Jerusalem on the tenth day of this Month Joh. 12.1 12. Lamb Or Kid. 4. According to the number c. There were wont to be ten at least and sometimes more at the eating of one Lamb Joseph Of the Wars of the Jews Book 7. c. 17. 5. Without blemish Or perfect Not diseased or maimed This was a Type of our Saviour 1 Pet. 1.19.2.22 A male The most excellent of its kind Mal. 1.14 and that which was required in the most perfect and complete Sacrifice which was the Holocaust or whole Burnt-offering Levit. 1.3 10. Of the first year Heb. Son of a year It must not exceed the first year if it be above a year old it must not be offered up Levit. 22.27 6. In the evening Heb. Between the two evenings i. e. In the Afternoon There was among the Jews a former and a latter Evening The Former began at Noon assoon as the Sun begins to decline The Latter was their Sun-set Judg. 13.8 9. compared with Josh 10.26 27 and Luk. 9.12 with Matth. 14.15 The time between the two Evenings when our Days and Nights are of an equal length is three a Clock in the Afternoon which answers to the ninth hour among the Jews and was among them a time of Prayer Act. 3.1 and of their daily Evening Sacrifice Numb 28.4 About this time the Passover was slain Vid. Pesa c. 1. m. 1. And about the same time of the day our Saviour died who is our Passover that was sacrificed for us 1 Cor. 5.7 Mark 15.34 37. compared with v. 42 43. 7 Vpper door-post But not on the Threshold Vid. Heb. 10.29 8. Vnleavened bread V. Luk. 12.1 1 Cor. 5.8 Bitter herbs To mind them of their grievous Bondage in Egypt 10. Vntill the morning It being an Eucharistical Sacrifice Levit. 7.15 11. Loins girded i. e. Like Travelling-men These things as well as what we read v. 7. were peculiar to the first Passover And hence it is very probable that it was at this time received standing Vid. Luk. 7.37 and 12.35 Ephes 6.14 15. 12. Gods Or Princes Possibly the Idols of the Egyptians were thrown down and such a Tradition there is among the Jewish Doctors Vid. Pirke R. Elieser c. 48. 13. A token viz. of safety Vid. Ezek. 9.4 To destroy Heb. For a destruction 14. For ever i. e. To the times of the Messiah or period of the Ceremonial-Law and Jewish Politie 1 Chron. 15.2 Numb 10.8 15. Cut off Vid. the Notes on Gen. 17.14 16. Man Heb. Soul 17. In this self same day Heb. Strength or body of this day 18. In the first Levit. 23.5 Numb 28.16 19. A stranger i. e. One that is not of the Race of Israel though he sojourn in their Land and be proselyted to their Religion 20. Shall ye eat i. e. When ever you eat Bread during that time it shall be unleavened 21. Lamb Or Kid. 22. And ye c. Heb. 11.28 None of you shall go out This seems also peculiarly to belong to this first Passover the reason not being the same afterwards 23. Pass through Be revealed says the Chaldee 26. And it c. Josh 4.6 29. And it came c. ch 11.4 At midnight At the silent time of the Night when Men are generally most secure 1 Thess 5.3 7. Matt. 25.5 6. What we read Numb 8.17 doth not contradict what is said here Day is put for Time indefinitely in these Sacred Writers See the Notes on Gen. 2.4 From the first-born Wisd 28.11 Dungeon Heb. House of the pit 34. Kneading-troughs Or Dough. 35. Jewels Ch. 3.22 and 11.2 37. To succoth Vid. Numb 33.3 This Journey the Israelites took the day after the Passover was slain This place might be called Succoth from the Booths which the Israelites made there at their first coming out of Egypt or perhaps from the Cloud that there began to cover them Psal 105.39 2513. 1491. 40. Now the sojourning c. Gen. 15.13 Act. 7.6 Gal. 3.17 Their sojourning in Egypt was not above half this time And therefore this space of time takes in the sojourning of them and their Fathers not onely in Egypt but elsewhere See the Greek From the Birth of Isaac to this time are 400 years The other 30 years were before the Birth of Isaac and commence from the first promise made to Abram in Vr of the Chaldees Act. 7.2 3. Now the 30 years are thus made up 5 years in Haran 11 in Canaan when Ishmael was born Gen. 16.3 And 14 years of Ishmael's Age when Isaac was born Gen. 17.25.18.10.16.16.21.5 See the Notes on Gen. 15.13 42. A night much to be observed Heb. A night of Observations 43. No stranger None that is not a Jew born or that is not of that Religion by his being proselyted and admitted by Circumcision Vid. Vers 44 45. 46. Neither shall ye break Numb 9.12 Joh. 19.36 47. Keep it Heb. Do it Stranger c. i. e. The Proselyte See the Greek CHAP. XIII The ARGUMENT The First-born are to be set aside The Israelites are minded to preserve
Aaron took a timbrel in her hand and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances 21. And Miriam answered them Sing ye to the LORD for he hath triumphed gloriously the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea 22. So Moses brought Israel from the Red-sea and they went out into the wilderness of Shur and they went three days in the wilderness and found no water 23. And when they came to Marah they could not drink of the waters of Marah for they were bitter therefore the name of it was called Marah 24. And the people murmured against Moses saying What shall we drink 25. And he cried unto the LORD and the LORD shewed him a tree which when he had cast into the waters the waters were made sweet there he made for them a statute and an ordinance and there he proved them 26. And said If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God and wilt do that which is right in his sight and wilt give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes I will put none of these diseases upon thee which I have brought upon the Egyptians for I am the LORD that healeth thee 27. And they came to Elim where were twelve wells of water and threescore and ten palm-trees and they encamped there by the waters 1. MOses Wisd 10.20 Vnto the LORD i. e. To his praise Vid. Psal 106.12 Rev. 15.2 3. 2. My strength To whose assistance this deliverance is to be ascribed Song i. e. The argument of my Praise and Thanksgiving Vid. Isa 12.2 And I will prepare him aâ— habitation Or I will glorifie him as the Greek and Vulgar render it 3. A man of War i. e. A great Warriour It is an Hebraism The Hebrew word which we translate Man is observed in Conjunction with another word to signifie some Excellency or Perfection Thus a man of Words signifies an eloquent Man Exod. 4.10 6. Thy right hand The Scripture speaks say the Jews in the language of the Children of Men. The right hand of a Man is the instrument by which he effects what he finds in his power Hence it is attributed to God when his Power is celebrated 8. With the blast of thy nostrils Or Wind of thine anger This may referr to that Wind ch 14.21 which made way for the destruction of the Egyptians Congealed i. e. Hardened as congealed Matter is so that the Hebrews went on dry-land 9. Destroy Or repossess 10. Blow with thy Wind See v. 8. and ch 14.21 27. 11. Gods Or mighty ones Fearfull in praises To be feared and reverenced when thy Name is celebrated or praised 12. The Earth swallowed them As they sunk into the Deep See Jon. 2.6 And possibly some of them were buried in the Sands brought on them by the violence of the returning Waters 13. Vnto thy holy habitation i. e. To the Land of Canaan the place of the Hebrews rest and the place in which God would reveal himself to them and where he would dwell with them Jer. 50.19 Psal 78.54 55. 14. The People Deut. 2.25 Josh 2.9 16. Fear Deut. 2.25 Josh 2.9 Still i. e. Stupified and so far over-powered with their fears that they shall not be able to defend themselves Pass over Viz. Into the promised Land Purchased Or Possessest 17. Which thou hast made for thee to dwell in This verse contains a description of Canaan as it was the place where God would dwell and that in a Sanctuary which being certainly to be built when God should command is spoken of as already done 20. The prophetess One to whom God revealed himself Vid. Num. 12.2 Gen. 20.7 and Mic. 6.4 21. Answered them i. e. She answered the Men who probably did sing the Song first And when they had sung then Miriam did repeat it 23. To Marah So called by anticipation as appears from the following words Marah That is Bitterness 25. A tree Ecclus 38.5 There he made for them a Statute c. The Jews commonly understand these words with reference to some particular Laws given in this place viz. Concerning the Sabbath honouring of Parents c. But we have no sufficient reason to credit this When 't is said He appointed them as the Hebrew word imports a Statute c. those words seem to refer to that monition which follows v. 26. which is so comprehensive as if obeyed would dispose them to obey all God's Laws 26. Healeth Ps 103.3 27. Elius Num. 33.9 CHAP. XVI The ARGUMENT The Israelites come to Sin They murmur for want of Bread They are promised Bread from Heaven Quails are sent and Manna Rules to be observed concerning the Manna It was not to be found on the Sabbath day A Pot of Manna is reserved as a Memorial The Israelites are to eat of this Bread forty Years 1. AND they took their journey from Elim and all the congregation of the children of Israel came unto the wilderness of Sin which is between Elim and Sinai on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing out of the land of Egypt 2. And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness 3. And the children of Israel said unto them Would to God we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt when we sat by the flesh-pots and when we did eat bread to the full for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger 4. Then said the LORD unto Moses Behold I will rain bread from heaven for you and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day that I may prove them whether they will walk in my law or no. 5. And it shall come to pass that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which they bring in and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily 6. And Moses and Aaron said unto all the children of Israel At even then ye shall know that the LORD hath brought you out from the land of Egypt 7. And in the morning then ye shall see the glory of the LORD for that he heareth your murmurings against the LORD And what are we that ye murmur against us 8. And Moses said This shall be when the LORD shall give you in the evening flesh to eat and in the morning bread to the full for that the LORD heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him And what are we your murmurings are not against us but against the LORD 9. And Moses spake unto Aaron Say unto all the congregation of the children of Israel Come near before the LORD for he hath heard your murmurings 10. And it came to pass as Aaron spake unto the whole congregation of the children of Israel that they looked toward the wilderness and behold the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud 11. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 12. I have heard the murmurings
of the children of Israel speak unto them saying At even ye shall eat flesh and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God 13. And it came to pass that at even the quails came up and covered the camp and in the morning the dew lay round about the host 14. And when the dew that lay was gone up behold upon the face of the wilderness there lay a small round thing as small as the hoar frost on the ground 15. And when the children of Israel saw it they said one to another It is manna for they wist nor what it was And Moses said unto them This is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat 16. This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded Gather of it every man according to his eating an omer for every man according to the number of your persons take ye every man for them which are in his tents 17. And the children of Israel did so and gathered some more some less 18. And when they did mete it with an omer he that gathered much had nothing over and he that gathered little had no lack they gathered every man according to his eating 19. And Moses said Let no man leave of it till the morning 20. Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto Moses but some of them left of it untill the morning and it breâ— worms and stank And Moses was wroth with them 21. And they gathered it every morning every man according to his eating and when the sun waxed hot it melted 22. And it came to pass that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread two omers for one man and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses 23. And he said unto them This is that which the LORD hath said To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD bake that which ye will bake to day and seeth that ye will seeth and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept untill the morning 24. And they laid it up till the morning as Moses 〈◊〉 and it did not stink neither was there any worm therein 25. And Moses said Eat that to day for to day is a sabbath unto the LORD to day ye shall not find it in the field 26. Six days ye shall gather it but on the seventh day which is the sabbath in it there shall be none 27. And it came to pass that there went out some of the people on the seventh day for to gather and they found 〈◊〉 28. And the LORD said unto Moses How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws 29. See for that the LORD â—â—th given you the sabbath therefore he giveth you on the sixth day 〈◊〉 bread of two days abide ye eâ—â—y man in his place let no man go out of his place on the seventh day 30. So the people rested on the seventh day 31. And the house of Israel called the name thereof Manna and it was like coriander-seed white and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey 32. And Moses said This is the thing which the LORD commandeth Fill an omer of it to be kept for your generations that they may see the bread wherewith I have fed you in the wilderness when I brought you forth from the land of Egypt 33. And Moses said unto Aaron Take a pot and put an omer full of manna therein and lay it up before the LORD to be kept for your generations 34. As the LORD commanded Moses so Aaron laid it up before the Testimony to be kept 35. And the children of Israel did eat manna forty years untill they came to a land inhabited they did eat manna untill they came unto the borders of the land of Canaan 36. Now an omer is the tenth part of an ephâ—â— 1. CAME unto the wilderness After they had encamped by the Red-sea Numb 33.10 11. On the fifteenth day of the second month Just thirty days after they came from Rameses Numb 33.3 in which time they may well be supposed to have spent the Provisions which they brought out of Egypt 4. I will rain I will cause to descend says the Chaldee Bread from heaven called Corn of heaven Ps 78.24 Vid. Joh. 6.31 And 't is said to be from Heaven because it came from above as the Rain doth A certain rate every day Heb. The portion of a day in his day whereby they were taught to take no thought for to morrow Matt. 6.31 34. That I may prove them c. i. e. That I may try whether they will observe the Ordinances which I give them concerning the Manna and also whether they will be engaged by this great mercy to obey the Laws which I shall give them 5. Bring in Into their Tents 6. That the LORD c. i. e. That we did it not without God v. 3. The Miracle which God will work will be a proof that you came hither according to his Will 7. The glory of the LORD i. e. The Miracle of the Manna Joh. 11.40 Numb 14.21 22. A Miracle doth manifest the Glory of God Vid. Joh. 2.11 8. Your murmurings are not against us but against the LORD i. e. Not onely against us which would have been a smaller offence but against the Lord. It is the manner of the Scripture Phrase to express by a negative that which is of the least moment and consideration Matth. 9.13.12.7 1 Sam. 8.7 Joh. 12.44 9. Come near unto the LORD Or Before the LORD i. e. Draw near unto the Cloud in which the Lord did manifest his glorious presence v. 10. See the like expressions Exod 23.17 1 Chron. 13.10 with 2 Sam. 6.7 10. The glory of the LORD appeared Ch. 13.21 i. e. God therein more than ordinarily manifested unto them his Presence by a conspicuous appearance 13. The quails Vid. Num. 11.31 14. And when the dew that lay was gone up Num. 11.7 Psal 78.24 Wisd 16.20 i. e. The Manna remained after the Dew was gone which is said to fall upon the Camp with it Num. 11.9 15. It is manna Or What is this Or It is a portiâ—â— What is this agâ—â—â— well with what follows For they wist not what it was This is Joh. 6.31 1 Cor. 10.3 16. An omer Seâ— the Notes on v. 36. For every man Heb. By the poll or head Persons Heb. Souls 17. Some more some less Or 〈◊〉 he that gathered more and he that gathered less 18. Gathered much c. 2 Cor. 8.15 He that had more in Family and therefore gathered more did not when he did mete it find more than an Omer for a person 21. Melted By which they were taught to seek it only 29. Go out of his place i. e. Out of the Camp of Israel Vid. Levit. 23.3 It was lawfull to go to their Synagogues Act. 15.21 Hence the Jews have determined it unlawfull to go beyond the Subâ—â—bâ— of a City on
and set them Bounds which he accordingly does God descends upon the Mount and sends Moses down to restrain the Priests and People from coming too near 1. IN the third month when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai 2. For they were departed from Rephidim and were come to the desart of Sinai and had pitched in the wilderness and there Israel camped before the mount 3. And Moses went up unto God and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain saying Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob and tell the children of Israel 4. Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians and how I bare you on eagles wings and brought you unto my self 5. Now therefore if ye will obey my voice indeed and keep my covenant then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people for all the earth is mine 6. And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests and an holy nation These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel 7. And Moses came and called for the elders of the people and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him 8. And all the people answered together and said All that the LORD hath spoken we will do And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD 9. And the LORD said unto Moses Lo I come unto thee in a thick cloud that the people may hear when I speak with thee and believe thee for ever And Moses told the words of the peole unto the LORD 10. And the LORD said unto Moses Go unto the people and sanctifie them to day and to morrow and let them wash their clothes 11. And be ready against the third day for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai 12. And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about saying Take heed to your selves that ye go not up into the mount or touch the border of it whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death 13. There shall not an hand touch it but he shall surely be stoned or shot through whether it be beast or man it shall not live when the trumpet soundeth long they shall come up to the mount 14. And Moses went down from the mount unto the people and sanctified the people and they washed their clothes 15. And he said unto the people Be ready against the third day come not at your wives 16. And it came to pass on the third day in the morning that there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud upon the mount and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud so that all the people that was in the camp trembled 17. And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God and they stood at the nether part of the mount 18. And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke because the LORD descended upon it in fire and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace and the whole mount quaked greatly 19. And when the voice of the trumpet founded long and waxed louder and louder Moses spake and God answered him by a voice 20. And the LORD came down upon mount Sinai on the top of the mount and the LORD called Moses up to the top of the mount and Moses went up 21. And the LORD said unto Moses Go down charge the people lest they break through unto the LORD to gaze and many of them perish 22. And let the priests also which come near unto the LORD sanctifie themselves lest the LORD break forth upon them 23. And Moses said unto the LORD The people cannot come up to mount Sinai for thou chargedst us saying Set bounds about the mount and sanctifie it 24. And the LORD said unto him Away get thee down and thou shalt come up thou and Aaron with thee but let not the priests and the people break through to come up unto the LORD lest he break forth upon them 25. So Moses went down unto the people and spake unto them 1. THE same day It hath been thought that by the same day is meant the third day of the month as this was the third month of the year But that word which we translate month signifies sometimes no more but the New-moon or first day of the month Num. 29.6 1 Sam. 20.24 27. And in that sense the same day signifies the first day of the month According to this account it was fifty days from the Israelites eating the Passover in Egypt to the giving of the Law which was done on the third day v. 11. For on the fourteenth day of the first month was that Passover eaten From that time reckoning inclusively the first and last day was to the third of this third month just fifty days 3. Moses Act. 7.38 Went up unto God i. e. He went up to the Mount where the Glory of God appeared 4. Ye have seen Deut. 29.2 On Eagles wings Deut. 32.11 12. This speaks the great care of God and the sure defence which the Israelites had thereby received Vid. Revel 12.14 Vnto my self i. e. To the place where I appear to you and am ready to give you my Laws 5. Now Deut. 5.2 All the Earth Deut. 10.14 Psal 24.1 The greater was the favour of God to the Israelites when he made choice of them for his peculiar People 6. A Kingdom of Priests 1 Pet. 2.9 Rev. 1.6 Not a profane State but such as shall worship God according to his Will and be thereupon exalted by him to great Dignity Ye shall be Kings and Priests See the Chaldee and Rev. 5.10 8. All Ch. 24.3 7. Deut. 5.27 and 26.17 9. I come unto thee i. e. I will appear unto thee after a glorious manner Told Or He had told See v. 8. 10. Sanctifie them i. e. Set them a-part and let them abstain from all evil and from every impurity And as a token of their being sanctified inwardly they were obliged also to wash their clothes 11. The third day Vid. Notes on v. 1. On this day the Law was given called a fiery Law Deut. 33.3 And this day was the day of Pentecost being fifty days after the Passover on which day the fiery Tongues were bestowed Act. 2. Will come down Or will reveal himself by a glorious Appearance 12. Set bounds Such bounds and limits as they might not pass lest for their curiosity and profaneness they die vid. 1 Sam. 6.19 Whosoever Heb. 12.20 13. Trumpet Or Cornet Soundeth long Or when it hath sounded long The Greek understand it of that time when the Trumpet ceased They shall come up to the mount The People shall come nearer at least to the foot of the Mount and Moses and Aaron and his Sons and the Elders of Israel shall go up into the Mount vid. ch 24.9 15. Wives 1 Sam. 21.4 Joel
2.16 Zach. 7.3 1 Cor. 7.5 16. Thunders c. These were so many tokens of the great and terrible Majesty of God who therefore ought to be feared and obeyed 18. Mount Sinai Deut. 4.11 Descended Vid. v. 11. In fire Hence the Law might be called a fiery Law Deut. 33.3 19. Moses spake So terrible was the sight that Moses said I exceedingly fear and quake Heb. 12.21 21. Charge Heb. contest Break through Namely by going beyond the bounds which were set See v. 12. 22. Priests Aaron and his Sons were not yet set a-part to the Priesthood as is generally supposed Yet see the Note on ch 18.12 And therefore by Priests here we may understand those who ministred in Holy things before Aaron and his Sons were consecrated And these are supposed to be the first-born ch 13.2 who are called young men ch 24.5 And what is rendred young men elsewhere signifies Ministers or those who serve 2 Kings 19.6 That come near to the LORD Who come near to minister unto the Lord. The Priest by vertue of his Office is placed between God and the People for whom he prays and offers Sacrifice unto God 23. Cannot come up i. e. They are sufficiently warned already of the danger of passing the bounds 24. Thou and Aaron Ch. 24.1 CHAP. XX. The ARGUMENT The Ten Commandments The People are in great fear Moses comforts them Idolatry is forbidden Rules concerning the Altar on which they should sacrifice 1. AND God spake all these words saying 2. I am the LORD thy God which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt out of the house of bondage 3. Thou shalt have no other gods before me 4. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above or that is in the earth beneath or that is in the water under the earth 5. Thou shalt not bow down thy self to them nor serve them for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me 6. And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments 7. Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain 8. Remember the sabbath-day to keep it holy 9. Six days shalt thou labour and do all thy work 10. But the seventh is the sabbath of the LORD thy God in it thou shalt not do any work thou nor thy son nor thy daughter thy man-servant nor thy maid servant nor thy cattel nor thy stranger that is within thy gates 11. For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth the sea and all that in them is and rested the seventh day wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath-day and hallowed it 12. Honor thy father and thy mother that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee 13. Thou shalt not kill 14. Thou shalt not commit adultery 15. Thou shalt not steal 16. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour 17. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife nor his man-servant nor his maid-servant nor his ox nor his ass nor any thing that is thy neighbours 18. And all the people saw the thundrings and the lightnings and the noise of the trumpet and the mountain smoaking and when the people saw it they removed and stood a-far off 19. And they said unto Moses Speak thou with us and we will hear but let not God speak with us lest we die 20. And Moses said unto the people Fear not for God is come to prove you and that his fear may be before your faces that ye sin not 21. And the people stood a-far off and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was 22. And the LORD said unto Moses Thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel Ye have seen that I have talked with you from heaven 23. Ye shall not make with me gods of silver neither shall ye make unto you gods of gold 24. An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt-offerings and thy peace-offerings thy sheep and thine oxen In all places where I record my name I will come unto thee and I will bless thee 25. And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone thou shalt not build it of hewn stone for if thou lift up thy tool upon it thou hast polluted it 26. Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon 1. ALL these words i. e. All these Precepts which follow These are called the ten Words or Commandments ch 34.28 The Hebrew which we render Words is observed to signifie Precepts See Deut. 18.19 2. I am the LORD c. Deut. 5.6 Psal 81.10 This Verse contains the Preface to the following laws and therein very powerfull arguments to gain their attention and obedience Viz. I. From the Excellency of the Person who Commands The Lord. II. His Relation to them whom he commands Thy God III. His Mercy bestowed on them Which have brought thee c. Bondage Heb. Servants 3. Thou shalt have Or There shall not be unto thee Before me Or besides me As the Chaldee and Greek render it This third Verse contains the first Commandment and teacheth that there is one God and he alone is to be worshipped saith Josephus Antiq. Judaic l. 3. c. 4. 4. Thou shalt not c. Levit. 26.1 Psal 97.7 There being Ten of these Commandments ch 34.28 This must be the second as Josephus rightly affirms See this farther proved in the Notes on v. 17. 5. A jealous God Idolatry is frequently expressed by Whoredom Deut. 31.16 Jer. 3.9 And God is said to be an husband to his People Jer. 2.2 Hos 2.19 And in proportion and conformity hereunto God's displeasure against Idolatry is expressed by Jealousy which is says Solomon the rage of a man Therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance c. Prov. 6.34 This is here added to deterr Men from Idolatry And is a powerfull Argument to keep Men from the appearance and suspicion of this Sin Children That are rebellious says the Chaldee Third and fourth So long the Idolaters may be supposed to live and be punished in their Children Of them that hate me That is of Idolaters who are especially the haters of God Vid. Mor. Nevochim p. 1. c. 36. 6. And keep c. The keeping God's Commandments being the best argument that we love him 7. Thou shalt not c. Levit. 19.12 Deut. 5.11 Matt. 5.33 Thou shalt not swear falsely nor lightly and commonly but greatly reverence the Holy Name of God Not hold him guiltless i. e. He will severely punish More is understood than is expressed vid. 1 Cor. 10.5 8. To keep it holy i. e. To separate
names of other Gods 14. Three times Deut. 16.16 15. Thou shalt c. Ch. 13.3 and 34.18 And none c. Deut. 16.16 Ecclus 35.4 Empty i. e. Without some Gift or Oblation Deut. 15.13 14. 16. Feast of harvest When they offered two Loaves of First-fruits Lev. 23.17 called The Feast of Weeks Exod 34.22 because it was seven weeks from the foregoing Feast Levit. 23.15 This was the Feast of Pentecost Act. 2.1 At this time the Law was given See Notes on ch 19.1 The feast of in gathering Called also The feast of Tabernacles Lev. 23.34 Deut. 16.13 17. Three times Viz. at the times last mentioned Before the LORD i. e. at the place where God appointed and where the Tabernacle and after that the Temple was 18. Of my sacrifice i. e. Of the Passover as the Chaldee hath it and as appears evidently from ch 34.25 With leavened bread i. e. Having leavened Bread in thy possession My sacrifice Or Feast Remain viz. Unburnt 19. The first-fruits Ch. 34.26 Thou shalt not seeth a kid c. Deut. 14.21 This the Jews understand as forbidding the eating of Flesh and Milk together And besides the shew of Cruelty in doing so Deut. 22.6 7. and Philo Jud. de Charitate it is supposed this was forbid the Israelites because it was a Rite used by Idolaters See Mor. Nevoch p. 3. c. 48. 20. Behold Ch. 33.2 An Angel i. e. Christ called so Mal. 3.1 He was tempted in the Wilderness 1 Cor. 10.9 Heb. 3.9 Maimon confesses that these words are explained by those Deut. 18.18 which words do manifestly belong to the Messias See the Notes on Deut. 18.15 More Nevoch p. 2. c. 34. 21. Not pardon your transgressions i. e. Your contumacious sins Vid. Josh 24.19 My name is in him Joh. 10.38 The Name of God signifies his Essence Exod. 3.13 And sometimes his Word says Maimon More Nevoch p. 1. c. 64. and is applicable to the Messiah in both these Senses 22. An adversary unto thine adversaries Or I will afflict them that afflict thee 23. For c. Ch. 33.2 Bring thee Josh 24.11 24. But thou shalt Deut. 7.25 26. There shall nothing Deut. 7.14 27. Backs Heb. Neck 28. I will send hornets Josh 2â—â— These words may well be understood literally See Exod 8.21 31. Sea of the Philistines i. e. The Mediterranean upon which their Country lay Desart Of Shur Exod. 15.22 Gen. 16.7 River i. e. Euphrates as the Greek have it 32. Thou shalt Ch. 34.15 Deut. 7.2 33. It will surely c. Deut. 7.16 Josh 23.13 Judg. 2.3 CHAP. XXIV The ARGUMENT Moses is called up into the Mountain The People promise Obedience Moses builds an Altar and twelve Pillars The young Men offer Sacrifices He enters the People into Covenant with God God manifests himself Moses continues in the Mount forty Days and forty Nights 1. AND he said unto Moses Come up unto the LORD thou and Aaron Nadab and Abihu and seventy of the elders of Israel and worship ye afar off 2. And Moses alone shall come near the LORD but they shall not come nigh neither shall the people go up with him 3. And Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD and all the judgments and all the people answered with one voice and said All the words which the LORD hath said will we do 4. And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD and rose up early in the morning and builded an altar under the hill and twelve pillars according to the twelve tribes of Israel 5. And he sent young men of the children of Israel which offered burnt-offerings and sacrificed peace-offerings of oxen unto the LORD 6. And Moses took half of the blood and put it in basons and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar 7. And he took the book of the covenant and read in the audience of the people and they said All that the LORD hath said will we do and be obedient 8. And Moses took the blood and sprinkled it on the people and said Behold the blood of the covenant which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words 9. Then went up Moses and Aaron Nadab and Abihu and seventy of the elders of Israel 10. And they saw the God of Israel and there was under his feet as it were a paved-work of a saphire-stone and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness 11. And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand also they saw God and did eat and drink 12. And the LORD said unto Moses Come up to me into the mount and be there and I will give thee tables of stone and a law and commandments which I have written that thou mayest teach them 13. And Moses rose up and his minister Joshua And Moses went up into the mount of God 14. And he said unto the elders Tarry ye here for us until we come again unto you and behold Aaron and Hur are with you if any man have any matters to do let him come unto them 15. And Moses went up into the mount and a cloud covered the mount 16. And the glory of the LORD abode upon mount Sinai and the cloud covered it six days and the seventh day he called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud 17. And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like deuouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel 18. And Moses went into the midst of the cloud and got him up into the mount and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights 1. COme up i. e. After thou hast propounded my Laws to the People and sprinkled the Blood c. to v. 9. God's Seventy of the elders Who will be good Witnesses of glorious appearance This number was afterward ordained by God and taken into the Government Num. 11.16 17. 2. Near the LORD i. e. Into the midst of the Cloud v. 18. The top of the Mount where was a glorious appearance and sign of God's more special presence v. 16 17. But they shall not come nigh i. e. Aaron Nadab and Abihu and the seventy Elders though they went up into the Mount shall not pass into the midst of the Cloud nor go up to the top or the Mount as Moses did Neither shall the people go up The Elders were allowed to go up some part of the Mount v. 1. Moses might onely come near the People are to stay at the bottom of the Mount 3. All the words of the LORD and all the judgments i. e. The Ten Commandments ch 20. which are called The words which God spake Exod. 20.1 And again the ten Words ch 38.28 and the Judicial Laws contained in the three foregoing Chapters which are called Judgments ch 21.1 All the words Ch. 19.8 verse 7. Deut. 5.27 4. An altar On God's part who is the principal party in this Covenant Twelve pillars On the People's behalf 5. Young men
the first Veil at the entry into the Tabernacle CHAP. XXVII The ARGUMENT Of the Altar of Burnt-offering and its Horns and Utensils Of the Court of the Tabernacle and its dimensions Of the Oil for the Lamp 1. AND thou shalt make an altar of shittim-wood five cubits long and five cubits broad the altar shall be four-square and the height thereof shall be three cubits 2. And thou shalt make the horns of it upon the four corners thereof his horns shall be of the same and thou shalt overlay it with brass 3. And thou shalt make his pans to receive his ashes and his shovels and his basons and his flesh-hooks and his fire-pans all the vessels thereof thou shalt make of brass 4. And thou shalt make for it a grate of net-work of brass and upon the net shalt thou make four brazen rings in the four corners thereof 5. And thou shalt put it under the compass of the altar beneath that the net may be even to the midst of the altar 6. And thou shalt make staves for the altar staves of shittim-wood and overlay them with brass 7. And the staves shall be put into the rings and the staves shall be upon the two sides of the altar to bear it 8. Hollow with boards shalt thou make it as it was shewed thee in the mount so shall they make it 9. And thou shalt make the court of the tabernacle for the south-side south-ward there shall be hangings for the court of fine twined linen of an hundred cubits long for one side 10. And the twenty pillars thereof and their twenty sockets shall be of brass the hooks of the pillars and their fillets shall be of silver 11. And likewise for the north-side in length there shall be hangings of an hundred cubits long and his twenty pillars and their twenty sockets of brass the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver 12. And for the breadth of the court on the west side shall be hangings of fifty cubits their pillars ten and their sockets ten 13. And the breadth of the court on the east-side east-ward shall be fifty cubits 14. The hangings of one side of the gate shall be fifteen cubits their pillars three and their sockets three 15. And on the other side shall be hangings fifteen cubits their pillars three and their sockets three 16. And for the gate of the court shall be an hanging of twenty cubits of blue and purple and scarlet and fine twined linen wrought with needle-work and their pillars shall be four and their sockets four 17. All the pillars round about the court shall be filleted with silver their hooks shall be of silver and their sockets of brass 18. The length of the court shall be an hundred cubits and the breadth fifty every where and the height five cubits of fine twined linen and their sockets of brass 19. All the vessels of the tabernacle in all the service thereof and all the pins thereof and all the pins of the court shall be of brass 20. And thou shalt command the children of Israel that they bring thee pure oil-olive beaten for the light to cause the lamp to burn always 21. In the tabernacle of the congregation without the vail which is before the testimony Aaron and his sons shall order it from evening to morning before the LORD it shall be a statute for ever unto their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel 1. FOur-square Viz. With respect to the length and breadth thereof Ezek. 43.16 2. The Horns of it These were certain Spices proceeding out of the four corners of the Altar which were hollow says Maimon and each of them five hand-breadths high Beth Habbech c. 2. They may be well supposed not onely for Ornament but for Life also And besides the keeping the Sacrifice from the falling off it hath been thought from Psal 118.27 they were set up that the Sacrifice might be tied and fastned to them the better to prevent the falling of it 3. Basons In which the bloud was received and out of which it was sprinkled ch 29.16 Flesh-hooks Forks or Instruments with teeth to lay hold of the flesh of the Sacrifice Fire-pans To take up Coals with for the Censer in which the Incense was burnt Levit. 9.1 and 16.12 4. A grate of net-work A plate full of holes on which the wood lay Vpon the net That the Net upon which was a continual fire may be carried separately from the rest of the Altar Exod. 38.5 with Numb 4.13 5. The compass of the Altar i. e. The square Compass of the whole Altar Midst of the Altar i. e. The midst of the height 8. It was shewed Heb. He shewed 9. Court This was an open part and the most outward of all which received the Israelites whereas into the Holy place none but Priests entered into the most Holy none but the High Priest once a year Hundred cubits It was so of each side v. 11. Which measure is double to the breadth of it v. 12. 10. Fillets They seem to be Plates encompassing the heads of the Pillars in which the Hooks were fastened 16. Twenty cubit These with the two Fifteens v. 14 15. on each side made up the fifty Cubits v. 12. 18. Fifty every-where Heb. Fifty by fifty 20. Pure Oil-olive beaten i. e. Oil of the Olive-tree and of the best and finer sort not the dregs which run from the Press To burn Heb. To ascend up 21. From evening to morning The Lamps were kept burning night and day ch 30.7 8. Levit 24.2 3. CHAP. XXVIII The ARGUMENT Aaron and his Sons are set a-part for the Priest's Office Their Priestly Garments Of the Ephod its Girdle and Onyx-stones Of the Breast-plate and the Stones thereunto belonging and of the Vrim and Thummim Of the Golden Bells and Pomegranates Of the Golden Plate Of the Coat Mitre and Girdle Of several Garments for the Sons of Aaron 1. AND take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother and his sons with him from among the children of Israel that he may minister unto me in the priest's office even Aaron Nadab and Abihu Eleazar and Ithamar Aaron's sons 2. And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty 3. And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise-hearted whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him that he may minister unto me in the priest's office 4. And these are the garments which they shall make a breast-plate and on ephod and a robe and a broidered coat a mitre and a girdle and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother and his sons that he may minister unto me in the priest's office 5. And they shall take gold and blue and purple and scarlet and fine linen 6. And they shall make the ephod of gold of blue and of purple of scarlet and fine twined linen with cunning work 7. It shall have
the two shoulder-pieces thereof joined at the two edges thereof and so it shall be joined together 8. And the curious girdle of the ephod which is upon it shall be of the same according to the work thereof even of gold of blue and purple and scarlet and fine twined linen 9. And thou shalt take two onyx-stones and grave on them the names of the children of Israel 10. Six of their names on one stone and the other six names of the rest on the other stone according to their birth 11. With the work of an engraver in stone like the engravings of a signet shalt thou engrave the two stones with the names of the children of Israel thou shalt make them to be set in ouches of gold 12. And thou shalt put the two stones upon the shoulders of the ephod for stones of memorial unto the children of Israel And Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD upon his two shoulders for a memorial 13. And thou shalt make ouches of gold 14. And two chains of pure gold at the ends of wreathen work shalt thou make them and fasten the wreathen chains to the ouches 15. And thou shalt make the breast-plate of judgment with cunning work after the work of the ephod thou shalt make it of gold of blue and of purple and of scarlet and of fine twined linen shalt thou make it 16. Four-square it shall be being doubled a span shall be the length thereof and a span shall be the breadth thereof 17. And thou shalt set in it settings of stones even four rows of stones the first row shall be a sardius a topaz and a carbuncle this shall be the first row 18. And the second row shall be an emerand a sapphire and a diamond 19. And the third row a ligure an agate and an amethyst 20. And the fourth row a beryl and an onyx and a jasper they shall be set in gold in their enclosings 21. And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel twelve according to their names like the engravings of a signet every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes 22. And thou shalt make upon the breast-plate chains at the ends of wreathen work of pure gold 23. And thou shalt make upon the breast-plate two rings of gold and shalt put the two rings on the two ends of the breast-plate 24. And thou shalt put the two wreathen chains of gold in the two rings which are on the ends of the breast-plate 25. And the other two ends of the two wreathen chains thou shalt fasten in the two ouches and put them on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod before it 26. And thou shalt make two rings of gold and thou shalt put them upon the two ends of the breast-plate in the border thereof which is in the side of the ephod inward 27. And two other rings of gold thou shalt make and shalt put them on the two sides of the ephod underneath towards the fore-part thereof over against the other coupling thereof above the curious girdle of the ephod 28. And they shall bind the breast-plate by the rings thereof unto the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue that it may be above the curious girdle of the ephod and that the breast-plate be not loosed from the ephod 29. And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breast-plate of judgment upon his heart when he goeth in unto the holy place for a memorial before the LORD continually 30. And thou shalt put in the breast-plate of judgment the Vrim and the Thummim and they shall be upon Aaron's heart when he goeth in before the LORD and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORD continually 31. And thou shalt make the robe of the ephod all of blue 32. And there shall be an hole in the top of it in the midst thereof it shall have a binding of woven work round about the hole of it as it were the hole of an habergeon that it be not rent 33. And beneath upon the hem of it thou shalt make pomegranates of blue and of purple and of scarlet round about the hem thereof and bells of gold between them round about 34. A golden bell and a pomegranate a golden bell and a pomegranate upon the hem of the robe round about 35. And it shall be upon Aaron to minister and his sound shall be heard when he goeth in unto the holy place before the LORD and when he cometh out that he die not 36. And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold and grave upon it like the engravings of a signet HOLINESS TO THE LORD 37. And thou shalt put it on a blue lace that it may be upon the mitre upon the fore-front of the mitre it shall be 38. And it shall be upon Aaron's forehead that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts and it shall be always upon his forehead that they may be acceptable before the LORD 39. And thou shalt embroider the coat of fine linen and thou shalt make the mitre of fine linen and thou shalt make the girdle of needle-work 40. And for Aaron's sons thou shalt make coats and thou shalt make for them girdles and bonnets shalt thou make for them for glory and for beauty 41. And thou shalt put them upon Aaron thy brother and his sons with him and shalt anoint them and consecrate them and sanctifie them that they may minister unto me in the priest's office 42. And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach 43. And they shall be upon Aaron and upon his sons when they come in unto the tabernacle of the congregation or when they come near unto the altar to minister in the holy place that they bear not iniquity and die It shall be a statute for ever unto him and his seed after him 2. Holy garments i. e. Garments that are peculiar and separate for the use of the Priests For glory and for beauty i. e. Agreeable to the Dignity of the Priests and Priesthood 3. To consecrate him Or to separate and distinguish him from the common sort of people 6. Ephod A garment that came over the shoulders c. The Ephod here mentioned was peculiar to the High Priest There were also other Garments of Linen which were called by this name of more common use 1 Sam. 2.18 and ch 22.18 2 Sam. 6.14 8. Curious Or Embroidered What we render the curious girdle of the Ephod seems to import the Embroidery or curious Work of the Ephod Which is upon it Or upon him i. e. Upon the High Priest for whom the Ephod was made 10. According to their birth So that Ruben was the first and written upon that Stone which the High Priest carried on his
offering made by fire unto the LORD 26. And thou shalt take the breast of the ram of Aaron's consecrations and wave it for a wave-offering before the LORD and it shall be thy part 27. And thou shalt sanctifie the breast of the wave-offering and the shoulder of the heave-offering which is waved and which is heaved up of the ram of the consecration even of that which is for Aaron and of that which is for his sons 28. And it shall be Aaron's and his sons by a statute for ever from the children of Israel for it is an heave-offering and it shall be an heave-offering from the children of Israel of the sacrifice of their peace-offerings even their heave-offering unto the LORD 29. And the holy garments of Aaron shall be his sons after him to be anointed therein and to be consecrated in them 30. And that son that is priest in his stead shall put them on seven days when he cometh into the tabernacle of the congregation to minister in the holy place 31. And thou shalt take the ram of the consecration and seeth his flesh in the holy place 32. And Aaron and his sons shall eat the flesh of the ram and the bread that is in the basket by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation 33. And they shall eat those things wherewith the atonement was made to consecrate and to sanctifie them but a stranger shall not eat thereof because they are holy 34. And if ought of the flesh of the consecrations or of the bread remain unto the morning then thou shalt burn the remainder with fire it shall not be eaten because it is holy 35. And thus shalt thou do unto Aaron and to his sons according to all things which I have commanded thee seven days shalt thou consecrate them 36. And thou shalt offer every day a bullock for a sin-offering for atonement and thou shalt cleanse the altar when thou hast made an atonement for it and thou shalt anoint it to sanctifie it 37. Seven days thou shalt make an atonement for the altar and sanctifie it and it shall be an altar most holy whatsoever toucheth the altar shall be holy 38. Now this is that which thou shalt offer upon the altar two lambs of the first year day by day continually 39. The one lamb thou shalt offer in the morning and the other lamb thou shalt offer at even 40. And with the one lamb a tenth-deal of flour mingled with the fourth part of an hin of beaten oyl and the fourth part of an hin of wine for a drink-offering 41. And the other lamb thou shalt offer at even and shalt do thereto according to the meat-offering of the morning and according to the drink-offering thereof for a sweet savour an offering made by fire unto the LORD 42. This shall be a continual burnt-offering throughout your generations at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD where I will meet you to speak there unto thee 43. And there I will meet with the children of Israel and the tabernacle shall be sanctified by my glory 44. And I will sanctifie the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar I will sanctifie also both Aaron and his sons to minister to me in the priest's office 45. And I will dwell amongst the children of Israel and will be their God 46. And they shall know that I am the LORD their God that brought them forth out of the land of Egypt that I may dwell amongst them I am the LORD their God 1. TO hallow them i. e. To set them apart to their separate and holy Office Take Levit. 9.2 Without blemish i. e. Without defect or perfect as the Hebrew word signifies 4. With water Which Aaron and his Sons were to repeat when ever they went into the Tabernacle c. 30.18 20. 5. The garments Viz. Which are mentioned in the foregoing Chapter The robe of the ephod Ch. 28.31 6. The holy crown The Plate of Gold with the blue Lace mentioned ch 28.36 37. Levit. 8.9 See the Greek and Vulgar 7. Oyl Ch. 30.25 9. Put Heb. Bind Consecrate Heb. Fill the hand of Ch. 28.41 The meaning of which expression may be learnt from v. 23 24. 10. Aaron Levit. 1.4 Put their hands c. This putting the Hands on the Head of the Beast which was to be sacrificed was very usual By it the Beast was appropriated to God and the Offerer thereby transferred his guilt upon it This was joined with Confession of Sin Lev. 5.5 6. with ch 16.21 12. Of the altar i. e. Of the Altar of Burnt-offering as in the Sin offerings Levit 5.24 25 29 30. 13. And thou Levit. 3.3 The caul that is above the liver It seemeth by Anatomy and the Hebrew Doctors to be the Midriff So our English Interpreters in their Marginal Note The Greek render it by the Lobe of the Liver meaning possibly the Lobe to which the Gaul is fixed Burn What we render Burn in this place is not the same word which we so render v. 14. but a word that is applied to the burning of Incense which consumes into Smoke these parts being fat and light consuming after that manner which Incense does without any considerable Ashes remaining 15. Head See v. 10. 18. Burnt-offering See the Notes on Levit 1.3 20. Tip of the right ear The putting the blood upon these parts mentioned in this Verse was a symbol of that ready Obedience which was due from the Priests 22. For it is a ram of Consecration This Ram was not to be wholly burnt as the other was v. 18. Nor was it a Sin-offering as the Bullock was v. 14. but rather a kind of Peace-offering v. 28. and 32. from such Sacrifices the right Shoulder and the Breast were due to the Priest v. 27 28. Levit. 7.31 32. Deut. 18.3 But in this extraordinary case the right Shoulder is to be burnt v. 25. And this is a peculiar belonging to the Ram of Consecration These words give the reason why the right Shoulder was burnt 24. Wave Heb. Shake to and fro This waving or moving to and fro being a Rite by which that which was thus waved was set apart to an holy use The Greek translate by a word that signifies to set apart 26. Thy part Moses being at this time in the stead of the High Priest v. 22. 27. Sanctifie c. Or set apart taking the Breast for thy self and burning the Shoulder upon the Altar v. 25. these were afterwards the portion of the Priests Levit. 7.31 32. Heave-offering Or That Offering whiâ—h is set apart by lifting it up 28. By a statute Deut. 18.3 Levit. 7.31 32. 30. That son Heb. He of his sons 31. Ram i. e. The remainder of it after God's part was offered v. 22. and the part belonging to Moses was set aside v. 26. In the holy place i. e. At the entrance of the Tabernacle Levit. 8.31 32. Bread Levit. 8.31 Matt. 12.4 33. A
stranger i. e. One that is not of the Race of Aaron ch 30.33 They are holy i. e. These things are holy as the Greek have it 37. Most holy Not onely as set apart to an holy use but as it sanctifies the Gift that was offered upon it Matt. 23.19 38. Two lambs Num. 28.3 40. Tenth-deal i. e. A tenth part of an Ephah Num. 28.5 See the Notes on Exod. 16.36 The fourth part of an hin An Hin contains twelve Logs says Maimon H. Maas Hak-korban c. 2. A Log the quantity of six Eggs or about half a Pint. The fourth part of an Hin is about a Pint and an half 43. The tabernacle Or Israel The Text being Elliptical it may be understood of either It was the glorious Presence of God that sanctified both the Tabernacle and the Congregation which met there and both these agree with the words which follow v. 44. 45. I will dwell Levit. 26.12 2 Cor. 6.16 CHAP. XXX The ARGUMENT Of the Altar of Incense Of the ransom Money or half Shekel to be paid for them that are above twenty years old Of the Laver of brass Of the Holy Anointing-oyl The Composition of the Perfume 1. AND thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon of shittim-wood shalt thou make it 2. A cubit shall be the length thereof and a cubit the breadth thereof four square shall it be and two cubits shall be the height thereof the horns thereof shall be of the same 3. And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold the top thereof and the sides thereof round about and the horns thereof and thou shalt make unto it a crown of gold round about 4. And two golden rings shalt thou make to it under the crown of it by the two corners thereof upon the two sides of it shalt thou make it and they shall be for places for the staves to bear it withall 5. And thou shalt make the staves of shittim-wood and overlay them with gold 6. And thou shalt put it before the veil that is by the ark of the testimony before the mercy-seat that is over the testimony where I will meet with thee 7. And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning when he dresseth the lamps he shall burn incense upon it 8. And when Aaron lighteth the lamps at even he shall burn incense upon it a perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations 9. Ye shall offer no strange incense thereon nor burnt sacrifice nor meat-offering neither shall ye pour drink-offering thereon 10. And Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it once in a year with the blood of the sin-offering of atonements once in the year shall he make atonement upon it throughout your generations it is most holy unto the LORD 11. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 12. When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel after their number then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul unto the LORD when thou numbrest them that there be no plague amongst them when thou numbrest them 13. This they shall give every one that passeth among them that are numbred half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary A shekel is twenty gerahs an half shekel shall be the offering of the LORD 14. Every one that passeth among them that are numbred from twenty years old and above shall give an offering unto the LORD 15. The rich shall not give more and the poor shall not give less then half a shekel when they give an offering unto the LORD to make an atonement for your souls 16. And thou shalt take the atonement-money of the children of Israel and shalt appoint it for the service of the tâ—bernacle of the congregation that it may be a memorial unto the childreâ— of Israel before the LORD to make an atonement for your souls 17. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 18. Thou shalt also make a lover of brass and his foot also of brass to wash withall and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar and thou shalt put water therein 19. For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat 20. When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation they shall wash with water that they die not or when they come near to the altar to minister to burn offering made by fire unto the LORD 21. So they shall wash their hands and their feet that they die not and it shall be a statute for ever to them even to him and to his seed throughout their generations 22. Moreover the LORD spake unto Moses saying 23. Take thou also unto thee principal spices of pure myrrhe five hundred shekels and of sweet cinnamon half so much even two hundred and fifty shekels and of sweet colamus two hundred and fifty shekels 24. And of cassia five hundred shekels after the shekel of the sanctuary and of the oyl-olive an hin 25. And thou shalt make it an oyl of holy ointment an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary it shall be an holy anointing oyl 26. And thou shalt anoint the tabernacle of the congregation therewith and the ark of the testimony 27. And the table and all his vessels and the candlestick and his vessels and the altar of incense 28. And the altar of burnt-offering with all his vessels and the laver and his foot 29. And thou shalt sanctifie them that they may be most holy whatsoever toucheth them shall be holy 30. And thou shalt anoint Aaron and his sons and consecrate them that they may minister unto me in the priest's office 31. And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel saying This shall be an holy anointing oyl unto me throughout your generations 32. Vpon man's flesh shall it not be poured neither shall ye make any other like it after the composition of it it is holy and it shall be holy unto you 33. Whosoever compoundeth any like it or whosoever putteth any of it upon a stranger shall even be cut off from his people 34. And the LORD said unto Moses Take unto thee sweet spices stacte and onycha and galbanum these sweet spices with pure frankincense of each shall there be a like weight 35. And thou shalt make it a perfume a confection after the art of the apothecary tempered together pure and holy 36. And thou shalt beat some of it very small and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation where I will meet with thee it shall be unto you most holy 37. And as for the perfume which thou shalt make you shall not make to your selves according to the composition thereof it shall be unto thee holy for the LORD 38. Whosoever shall make like unto that to smell thereto shall even be cut off from his people 1. SHittim-wood See ch 25.5 2. Horns Vid. ch 27.2 3. Top Heb. Roof-Sides Heb. Walls 4. Corners Heb. Ribs 6. Before the
veil i. e. In the Holy Place before the Veil which was between that and the Holy of Holies ch 26.33 Mercy-seat Ch. 25.17 Where I will meet with thee I will be known unto thee there say the Greek 7. Sweet incense Heb. Incense of spices A Symbol of fervent and devout Prayers Ps 141.2 Rev. 5.8 and 8.3 When the Priest went in to offer Incense the People prayed without Luk. 1.10 8. Lighteth Or Setteth up Heb. Causeth to ascend At even Heb. Between the two evens Perpetual Without intermission which recommends to us constant times of Prayer at least every Morning and Evening 9. Strange incense i. e. Incense of another Composition than what is appointed v. 34. Nor burnt-sacrifice c. Which were to be offered upon the Altar of Brass appointed for that purpose 10. Make an atonement c. By the Blood of the Sin-offering he shall cleanse it from the pollution which it contracts because of the transgressions of the People Lev. 16.16 18. Once in the year That is on the day of Expiation the tenth day of the seventh Month Lev. 16.29 Most holy Ch. 23.37 12. When c. Num. 1.2 5. Their number Heb. Them that are to be numbered A ransom for his soul Or For his Life This was an homage paid to God as an acknowledgement of his redeeming them No plague As happened in David's time after he had numbred the People 13. After the shekel of the sanctuary Possibly in the Sanctuary the Standards were kept by which other Weights and Measures were to be examined though some have thought that the Expression implies a difference between the Common and Sacred Shekel A shekel c. Lev. 27.25 Num. 3.47 Ezek. 45.12 15. The rich c. Riches being of no account with God Give more Heb. Multiply Give less Heb. Diminish 18. The altar That is the Brazen-altar 20. That they die not viz. By the hand of God as Aaron's Sons did Lev. 20.2 23. Principal spices The best of the kind 24. Of the sanctuary See v. 13. An hin Vid. Ch. 29.40 25. An oyl Which signifies the Gifts of the Holy Spirit Act. 10.38 Luk. 4.21 Apothecary Or Perfumer 26. Thou shalt â—noint And by that means set apart to an holy use 29. Sanctifie Or By this means set a side to a Separate and Holy use 30. Anoint Aaron ' c. Who were by this anointing set apart to the Priesthood as by the Holy Spirit the Ministers of God are enabled to discharge their Office 31. This shall be The Jews understand it of this very Oyl which was made by Moses and not thâ—â— we read of repeated afterwards 33. Stranger i. e. Whoever is not a Priest or a King 34. Stactâ— The fatness or sweet Gum of a certain Balsamick-tree The Hebrew word imports dropping Onycha This was a certain Claw or sweet Hoof which was used in Perfumes says Maimon Galbanum This says Maimon is a Gum of a Tree in Greece like black Honey and is of a strong smell 35. Tempered Heb. Salted 36. Put of it before c. That is Offer it upon the golden Altar 37. To your selves c. i. e. To your own use v. 38. CHAP. XXXI The ARGUMENT Bezaleel and Aholiab are chosen by God and fitted for building the Tabernacle and all things belonging thereunto The observation of the Sabbath is pressed upon the Israelites Moses receives two Tables of Stone written by God 1. AND the LORD spake unto Moses saying 2. See I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri the son of Hur of the tribe of Judah 3. And I have filled him with the spirit of God in wisdom and in understanding and in knowledge and in all manner of workmanship 4. To divise cunning works to work in gold and in silver and in brass 5. And in cutting of stones to set them and in carving of timber to work in all manner of workmanship 6. And I behold I have given with him Aholiab the son of Ahisamach of the tribe of Dan and in the hearts of all that are wise-hearted I have put wisdom that they may make all that I have commanded thee 7. The tabernacle of the congregation and the ark of the testimony and the mercy-seat that is thereupon and all the furniture of the tabernacle 8. And the table and his furniture and the pure candlestick with all his furniture and the altar of incense 9. And the altar of burnt-offering with all his furniture and the laver and his foot 10. And the clothes of service and the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments of his sons to minister in the priest's office 11. And the anointing oyl and sweet incense for the holy place according to all that I have commanded thee shall they do 12. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 13. Speak thou also unto the children of Israel saying Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctifie you 14. Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore for it is holy unto you Every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death for whosoever doth any work therein that soul shall be cut off from among his people 15. Six days may work be done but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest holy to the LORD whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath-day he shall surely be put to death 16. Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath to observe the sabbath throughout their generations for a perpetual covenant 17. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed 18. And he gave unto Moses when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai two tables of testimony tables of stone written with the finger of God 2. I have called by name i. e. I have particularly chosen and designed Vid. Esa 43.1 Son 1 Chron. 2.20 Of Hur Ch. 17.12 and 24.14 3. Spirit of God i. e. The gifts of the Spirit which follow 1 Cor. 12.4 8. 4. To devise cunning works To teach the Artificers says the Chaldee 5. Stones This the Chaldee understands truly of precious Stones See ch 28.21 7. Furniture Heb. Vessels 8. Pure candlestick Made of pure Gold and by the Priest's daily care to be kept clean and pure 10. Clothes of service These Clothes of Service as they stand here distinguished from the Priest's Holy Garments may possibly referr to those Clothes and Coverings which are mentioned Num. 4.7 8 9 11 12. 13. Verily my sabbaths c. Tho' this work were to be done as God had appointed yet not on the Sabbath Day A sign between me and you a token or acknowledgment that I am your God and that you worship the Creator of Heaven and Earth The Sabbath was afterward commanded as a Memorial of their Deliverance
out of Egypt Deut. 5.15 And it was a standing sign of that People's relation to God as their Maker and Deliverer Ezek. 20.20 That doth sanctifie you Or That doth set you apart to my Service and as a sign and token thereof the Sabbath was ordained for the service of God and rest from Worldly Occasions 14. Ye shall keep c. Ch. 20.8 Deut. 5.12 Ezek. 20.12 Be put to death The case was thus says Maimon among the Jews He that proudly and wittingly did work on the Sabbath was liable to be cut off i. e. To perish by the hand of God If he did it ignorantly he was obliged to bring his Sin-offering but if he were convicted by Witnesses he was to be stoned Num. 15.27.30 and 35. 15. Holy Heb. Holiness 17. In six days Gen. 1.13 and 2.2 18. Two tables Deut. 9.10 With the finger of God This is spoken after the manner of Men and is to be understood accordingly These Tables and the Writing on them were noâ— the work of a Man but were the work of God Vid. ch 31.16 Vid. More Nevochim p. 1. c. 66. CHAP. XXXII The ARGUMENT In the absence of Moses the Israelites prevail with Aaron to make a Calf They commit Idolatry God's great displeasure thereupon Moses intercedes with God on their behalf The Tables of Stone are broken Moses destroys the Calf and expostulates with Aaron The Sons of Levi slay many of the Israelites by the direction of Moses Moses minds the People of the greatness of their Sin He pleads with God on their behalf 1. AND when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron and said unto him Vp make us gods which shall go before us for as for this Moses the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt we wot not what is become of him 2. And Aaron said unto them Break off the golden ear-rings whâ—â—h are in the ears of your wives of your sons and of your daughters and bring them unto me 3. And all the people brake off the golden ear-rings which were in their ears and brought them unto Aaron 4. And he received them at their hand and fashioned it with a graving tool after he had made it a molten calf and they said These be thy gods O Israel which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt 5. And when Aaron saw it he built an altar before it and Aaron made proclamation and said To morrow is a feast to the LORD 6. And they rose up early on the morrow and offered burnt-offerings and brought peace-offerings and the people sat down to eat and to drink and rose up to play 7. And the LORD said unto Moses Go get thee down for thy people which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt have corrupted themselves 8. They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them they have made them a molten calf and have worshipped it and have sacrificed thereunto and said These be thy gods O Israel which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt 9. And the LORD said unto Moses I have seen this people and behold it is a stiff-necked people 10. Now therefore let me alone that my wrath may wax hot against them and that I may consume them and I will make of thee a great nation 11. And Moses besought the LORD his God and said LORD why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand 12. Wherefore should the Egyptians speak and say For mischief did he bring them out to slay them in the mountains and to consume them from the face of the earth Turn from thy fierce wrath and repent of this evil against thy people 13. Remember Abraham Isaac and Israel thy servants to whom thou swarest by thine own self and saidest unto them I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed and they shall inherit it for ever 14. And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people 15. And Moses turned and went down from the mount and the two tables of the testimony were in his hand the tables were written on both their sides on the one side and on the other were they written 16. And the tables were the work of God and the writing was the writing of God graven upon the tables 17. And when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted he said unto Moses There is a noise of war in the camp 18. And he said It is not the voice of them that shout for mastery neither is it the voice of them that cry for being overcome but the noise of them that sing do I hear 19. And it came to pass assoon as he came nigh unto the camp that he saw the calf and the dancing and Moses's anger waxed hot and he cast the tables out of his hands and brake them beneath the mount 20. And he took the calf which they had made and burnt it in the fire and ground it to powder and strawed it upon the water and made the children of Israel drink of it 21. And Moses said unto Aaron What did this people unto thee that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them 22. And Aaron said Let not the anger of my lord wax hot thou knowest the people that they are set on mischief 23. For they said unto me Make us gods which shall go before us For as for this Moses the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt we wot not what is become of him 24. And I said unto them Whosoever hath any gold let them break it off So they gave it me then I cast it into the fire and there came out this calf 25. And when Moses saw that the people were naked for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame amongst their enemies 26. Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp and said Who is on the LORD's side let him come unto me And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him 27. And he said unto them Thus saith the LORD God of Israel Put every man his sword by his side and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp and slay every man his brother and every man his companion and every man his neighbour 28. And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men 29. For Moses had said Consecrate your selves to day to the LORD even every man upon his son and upon his brother that he may bestow upon you a blessing this day 30. And it came to pass on the morrow that Moses said unto the people Ye have sinned a great sin and now I will
Their pillars were twenty and their brasen sockets twenty the hooks of the pillars and their fillets were of silver 11. And for the north-side the hangings were an hundred cubits their pillars were twenty and their sockets of brass twenty the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver 12. And for the west-side were hangings of fifty cubits their pillars ten and their sockets ten the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver 13. And for the east-side east-ward fifty cubits 14. The hangings of the one side of the gate were fifteen cubits their pillars three and their sockets three 15. And for the other side of the court-gate on this hand and that hand were hangings of fifteen cubits their pillars three and their sockets three 16. All the hangings of the court round about were of fine twined linen 17. And the sockets for the pillars were of brass the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver and the overlaying of their chapiters of silver and all the pillars of the court were filleted with silver 18. And the hanging for the gate of the court was needle-work of blue and purple and scarlet and fine twined linen and twenty cubits was the length and the height in the breadth was five cubits answerable to the hangings of the court 19. And their pillars were four and their sockets of brass four their hooks of silver and the overlaying of their chapiters and their fillets of silver 20. And all the pins of the tabernacle and of the court round about were of brass 21. This is the sum of the tabernacle even of the tabernacle of testimony as it was counted according to the commandment of Moses for the service of the Levites by the hand of Ithamar son to Aaron the priest 22. And Bezaleel the son of Vri the son of Hur of the tribe of Judah made all that the LORD commanded Moses 23. And with him was Aholiab son of Ahisamach of the tribe of Dan an engraver and a cunning workman and an embroiderer in blue and in purple and in scarlet and fine linen 24. All the gold that was occupied for the work in all the work of the holy place even the gold of the offering was twenty and nine talents and seven hundred and thirty shekels after the shekel of the sanctuary 25. And the silver of them that were numbred of the congregation was an hundred talents and a thousand seven hundred and threescore and fifteen shekels after the shekel of the sanctuary 26. A bekah for every man that is half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary for every one that went to be numbred from twenty years old and upward for six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty men 27. And of the hundred talents of silver were cast the sockets of the sanctuary and the sockets of the veil an hundred sockets of the hundred talents a talent for a socket 28. And of the thousand seven hundred seventy and five shekels he made hooks for the pillars and overlaid their chapiters and filleted them 29. And the brass of the offering was seventy talents and two thousand and four hundred shekels 30. And therewith he made the sockets to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation and the brasen altar and the brasen grate for it and all the vessels of the altar 31. And the sockets of the court round about and the sockets of the court-gate and all the pins of the tabernacle and all the pins of the court round about 1. AND he made Ch. 27.1 8. Looking-glasses Or Brasen-glasses Not made of Glass of which we have no mention but Brass polished which served the same purpose which our Looking-glasses are designed for Vid. Ezra 8 2â— Assembling which assembled Heb. Assembling by troops They assembled upon a Religious account to the place of God's Worship and more peculiar Presence and as the Greek and Chaldee understand it as they met there to fast or to pray so it is evident that they did also bestow of their Substance upon the service of God in that they parted with their fine and polished Brass by which they adorned themselves to make the Laver of Brass 9. Court Vid. Ch. 27.9 18. The height in the breadth i. e. The height of the hangings breadth That was its height when it hung up which was its breadth when it lay along 20. Pins Ch. 27.19 21. The sum of the tabernacle i. e. The Sum of Particulars belonging to the Tabernacle Ithamar Num. 4.28 31 32 33. 24. Talents A Shekel is half an Ounce and in Silver it amounts to our 2 s. 6 d. or near it A Bekah is half so much A Talent is 3000 Shekels This appears v. 25 26 28. The 603550 are taxed at a Bekah a-piece This makes 301775 Shekels and reckoning 3000 Shekels to a Talent the 301775 Shekels make up 100 Talents and 1775 Shekels counting the Shekel of Silver at 2 s. 6 d. the Talent of Silver amounts to 375 l. Sterling Their Talent of Gold was of the same weight and should we allow it but of ten times the value a Shekel of Gold will amount to 1 l. 5 s. Sterling and a Talent of Gold to 3750 l. 25. Numbred Exod. 30.13 26. Every man Heb. A Poll. CHAP. XXXIX The ARGUMENT Of the Clothes of Service and Holy Garments The Tabernacle is brought to Moses with its several Vtensils and approved of by him 1. AND of the blue and purple and scarlet they made clothes of service to do service in the holy place and made the holy garments for Aaron as the LORD commanded Moses 2. And he made the ephod of gold blue and purple and scarlet and fine twined linen 3. And they did beat the gold into thin plates and cut it into wiers to work it in the blue and in the purple and in the scarlet and in the fine linen with cunning work 4. They made shoulder-pieces for it to couple it together by the two edges was it coupled together 5. And the curious girdle of his ephod that was upon it was of the same according to the work thereof of gold blue and purple and scarlet and fine twined linen as the LORD commanded Moses 6. And they wrought onyx-stones enclosed in ouches of gold graven as signets are graven with the names of the children of Israel 7. And he put them on the shoulders of the ephod that they should be stones for a memorial to the children of Israel as the LORD commanded Moses 8. And he made the breast-plate of cunning work like the work of the ephod of gold blue and purple and scarlet and fine twined linen 9. It was four-square they made the breast-plate double a span was the length thereof and a span the breadth thereof being doubled 10. And they see in it four rows of stones the first row was a sardius a topaz and a carbuncle this was the first row 11. And the second row an emeraud a
sapphire and a diamond 12. And the third row a ligure an agate and an amethyst 13. And the fourth row a beryl an onyx and a jasper they were inclosed in ouches of gold in their inclosings 14. And the stones were according to the names of the children of Israel twelve according to their names like the engravings of a signet every one with his name according to the twelve tribes 15. And they made upon the breast-plate chains at the ends of wreathen work of pure gold 16. And they made two ouches of gold and two gold rings and put the two rings in the two ends of the breast-plate 17. And they put the two wreathen chains of gold in the two rings on the ends of the breast-plate 18. And the two ends of the two wreathen chains they fastened in the two ouches and put them on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod before it 19. And they made two rings of gold and put them on the two ends of the breast-plate upon the border of it which was on the side of the ephod inward 20. And they made two other golden rings and put them on the two sides of the ephod underneath toward the forepart of it over against the other coupling thereof above the curious girdle of the ephod 21. And they did bind the breast-plate by his rings unto the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue that it might be above the curious girdle of the ephod and that the breast-plate might not be loosed from the ephod as the LORD commanded Moses 22. And he made the robe of the ephod of woven work all of blue 23. And there was a hole in the midst of the robe as the hole of an habergeon with a band round about the hole that it should not rent 24. And they made upon the hems of the robe pomegranates of blue and purple and scarlet and twined linen 25. And they made bells of pure gold and put the bells between the pomegranates upon the hem of the robe round about between the pomegranates 26. A bell and a pomegranate a bell and a pomegranate round about the hem of the robe to minister in as the LORD commanded Moses 27. And they made coats of fine linen of woven work for Aaron and for his sons 28. And a mitre of fine linen and goodly bonnets of fine linen and linen breeches of fine twined linen 29. And a girdle of fine twined linen and blue and purple and scarlet of needle-work as the LORD commanded Moses 30. And they made the plate of the holy crown of pure gold and wrote upon it a writing like to the engravings of a signet HOLINESS TO THE LORD 31. And they tied unto it a lace of blue to fasten it on high upon the mitre as the LORD commanded Moses 32. Thus was all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation finished and the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses so did they 33. And they brought the tabernacle unto Moses the tent and all his furniture his taches his boards his bars and his pillars and his sockets 34. And the covering of rams skins died red and the covering of badgers skins and the veil of the covering 35. The ark of the testimony and the staves thereof and the mercy-seat 36. The table and all the vessels thereof and the shew-bread 37. The pure candlestick with the lamps thereof even with the lamps to be set in order and all the vessels thereof and the oyl for light 38. And the golden Altar and the anointing oyl and the sweet incense and the hanging for the tabernacle-door 39. The brasen altar and his grate of brass his staves and all his vessels the laver and his foot 40. The hangings of the court his pillars and his sockets and the hanging for the court-gate his cords and his pins and all the vessels of the service of the tabernacle for the tent of the congregation 41. The clothes of service to do service in the holy place and the holy garments for Aaron the priest and his sons garments to minister in the priest's office 42. According to all that the LORD commanded Moses so the children of Israel made all the work 43. And Moses did look upon all the work and behold they had done it as the LORD had commanded even so had they done it And Moses blessed them 1. MADE the holy garments Ch. 31.10 and 35.19 2. Ephod Vid. Ch. 28.6 6. And they wrought Ch. 28.9 7. Memorial Ch. 28.12 8. Breast-plate Ch. 28.15 10. Sardius Or Ruby 25. Bells Ch. 28.33 28. Linen breeches Ch. 28.42 30. Holiness Ch. 28.36 CHAP. XL. The ARGUMENT Moses is commanded to set up the Tabernacle and to anoint it Aaron and his Sons are to be sanctified These things are done as is commanded 1. AND the LORD spake unto Moses saying 2. On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation 2514. 1490. 3. And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony and cover the ark with the veil 4. And thou shalt bring in the table and set in order the things that are to be set in order upon it and thou shalt bring in the candlestick and light the lamps thereof 5. And thou shalt set the altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the testimony and put the hanging of the door to the tabernacle 6. And thou shalt set the altar of the burnt-offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation 7. And thou shalt set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar and shalt put water therein 8. And thou shalt set up the court round about and hang up the hanging at the court-gate 9. And thou shalt take the anointing oyl and anoint the tabernacle and all that is therein and shalt hallow it and all the vessels thereof and it shall be holy 10. And thou shalt anoint the altar of the burnt-offering and all his vessels and sanctifie the altar and it shall be an altar most holy 11. And thou shalt anoint the laver and his foot and sanctifie it 12. And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation and wash them with water 13. And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments and anoint him and sanctifie him that he may minister unto me in the priest's office 14. And thou shalt bring his sons and clothe them with coats 15. And thou shalt anoint them as thou didst anoint their father that they may minister unto me in the priests office for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations 16. Thus did Moses according to all that the LORD commanded him so did he 17. And it came to pass in the first month in the second year on the first day of the month that the tabernacle was reared up 18. And
Moses reared up the tabernacle and fastened his sockets and set up the boards thereof and put in the bars thereof and reared up his pillars 19. And he spread abroad the tent over the tabernacle and put the covering of the tent above upon it as the LORD commanded Moses 20 And he took and put the testimony into the ark and set the staves on the ark and put the mercy-seat above upon the ark 21. And he brought the ark into the tabernacle and set up the veil of the covering and covered the ark of the testimony as the LORD commanded Moses 22. And he put the table in the tent of the congregation upon the side of the tabernacle north-ward without the veil 23. And he set the bread in order upon it before the LORD as the LORD had commanded Moses 24. And he put the candlestick in the tent of the congregation over against the table on the side of the tabernacle south-ward 25. And he lighted the lamps before the LORD as the LORD commanded Moses 26. And he put the golden altar in the tent of the congregation before the veil 27. And he burnt sweet incense thereon as the LORD commanded Moses 28. And he set up the hanging at the door of the tabernacle 29. And he put the altar of burnt-offering by the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation and offered upon it the burnt-offering and the meat-offering as the LORD commanded Moses 30. And he set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar and put water there to wash withall 31. And Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet thereat 32. When they went into the tent of the congregation and when they came near unto the altar they washed as the LORD commanded Moses 33. And he reared up the court-round about the tabernacle and the altar and set up the hanging of the court-gate so Moses finished the work 34. Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle 35. And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation because the cloud abode thereon and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle 36. And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys 37. But if the cloud were not taken up then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up 38. For the cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day and fire was on it by night in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys 3. 2514. 1490. The ark of the testimony So called because the Tables of the Law which is sometime called the Testimony v. 20. were put into it ch 25.16 4. Thou shalt bring in c. Ch. 26.35 The things that are to be set in order upon it Heb. The order thereof 10. Most holy Heb. Holiness of holinesses in that it hallowed the Sacrifice Exod. 29.37 11. Sanctifie it i. e. Separate it to a peculiar and holy use 15. An everlasting priesthood i. e. The Successors of the ordinary Priests shall not need to be anointed for the future as the High Priests were The High Priests were elected and therefore it was fit they should be anointed But the Priesthood belonged to the other Priests as their Birth-right 17. Tabernacle Num. 7.1 21. Set Ch. 35.12 29. LORD Ch. 30.9 34. Then a cloud Num. 9.15 1 King 8.10 36. Went onward Heb. Journeyed FINIS Imprimatur Octob. 24. 1693. Jo. Cant. A COMMENTARY ON THE Five Books of MOSES WITH A DISSERTATION Concerning the Author or Writer of the said Books AND A General Argument to each of them BY RICHARD Lord Bishop of Bath and Wells Vol. II. LONDON Printed by J. Heptinstall for William Rogers at the Sun against St. Dunstan's Church in Fleetstreet MDCXCIV THE Third Book of Moses CALLED LEVITICUS THE General Argument OF THE Third Book of MOSES CALLED LEVITICUS LEVI was the third Son of Jacob From him his Posterity had the name of Levites Aaron who with his Sons was called to the Priesthood was from him called a Levite Exod. 4.14 And that Priesthood that was setled in that Family is called Levitical Heb. 7.11 The Law relating to the discharge of the Priest's Office is properly called the Levitical Law and upon that account that Book of Moses which more especially treats of the Holy Rites and Services in which these Priests were by their Office imployed is very fitly from the Subject-matter of it called Leviticus And this is the main Subject of this very excellent Book as will more clearly appear afterwards And because a great part of the Priest's Office was taken up in attendance upon the Altar and he was nearly concerned in the Sacrifices and holy Oblations which were presented by the People and because this Book treats largely of those Sacrifices and the Rites thereunto belonging and that in the very beginning of it I know not how to let the Reader into the Book it self any better way than by premising something concerning the Sacrifices themselves which are here treated of And to that purpose I shall First Consider the matter of these Sacrifices or what things they were which were required or allowed to be offered at the Altar Secondly I shall consider the several sorts or kinds of these Sacrifices with the particular Laws annexed unto them and shall in this matter offer nothing but what the Text of the Law gives me ground for Thirdly I shall in very few words shew how very usefull it is to understand this matter I. I shall consider the matter of these Sacrifices or what things they were which were required or allowed to be offered at the Altar And these Oblations being either of living creatures or of things that were inanimate I shall First Consider what living Creatures were admitted for Sacrifices where these Sacrifices were bloudy And they were Five onely viz. Out of the Herd the Bullock onely Out of the Flock the Sheep and the Goat From among the Fowls the Turtle-Dove and the less or younger Pigeon More than these were not allowed by the Law For the Birds rendred Sparrows in the Marginal reaching Levit. 14. they belong not at all to this matter For I am speaking here of bloudy Sacrifices For those Birds one of them was not killed and neither of them had any relation to God's Altar These living Creatures admitted for Sacrifices were such as were common and easy to be procured Besides they were tame and gentle very innocent and usefull and harmless No ravenous Beasts are admitted no Birds of prey What more usefull than a Bullock more profitable than a Sheep and Goat more simple and harmless than a Dove or Pigeon And if the Observation of Philo be true That the Offerer was to be like his Oblation then are innocence and industry usefulness and simplicity recommended here to the Worshipper
of Theft In the day of his Trespass-offering Or In the day of his being found guilty Heb. In the day of his Trespass He ought to do it without delay and forthwith upon his recollecting and finding himself guilty 6. Flock Ch. 5.15 9. Because of the burning Or For the burning 10. Which the fire hath consumed with the burnt-offering Or When the fire hath consumed the burnt-offering So may those words be very truely rendred from the Hebrew The word here rendred which is elsewhere rendred when viz. Levit. 4.22 Josh 4.21 2 Chron. 18.24 Neh. 2.3 And what we render with the burnt-offering may as well be rendred the burnt-offering The Ashes here meant are the Ashes which the Burnt-offering with the Fewel thereof was reduced unto 11. Clean The Ashes coming from an holy place 'T was quite otherwise in the case of a Leprous House ch 14.40 14. And this is the law of the meat-offering Ch. 2.1 Num. 15.4 15. Memorial Ch. 2.9 18. Every one that toucheth c. Exod. 29.37 i. e. It shall not be eaten by any in their Uncleanness nor by any but those that are holy and separate persons as the Sons of Aaron were 20. Of Aaron and of his sons i. e. Of Aaron and the High-priests which succeeded him Ephah Exod. 16.36 Perpetual The Jews teach that this Offering was to continue during the High-priest's continuance 22. That is anointed c. i. e. The High-priest 23. Wholly burnt The Priest shall have no share as he had in the Offering of the People 25. In the place c. See ch 4.24 27. Shall be holy c. See v. 18. 28. Shall be broken Ch. 11.33 30. And no sin-offering Heb. 13.11 CHAP. VII The ARGUMENT The Law of the Trespass-offering The Law of the Peace-offering whether it be a Thanksgiving-offering a Vow or Voluntary Oblation Fat and Blood are again prohibited to be eaten The portions of the Priests from several Offerings and particularly from the Peace-offerings 1. LIkewise this is the law of the trespass-offering it is most holy 2. In the place where they kill the burnt-offering shall they kill the trespass-offering and the blood thereof shall he sprinkle round about upon the altar 3. And he shall offer of it all the fat thereof the rump and the fat that covereth the inwards 4. And the two kidneys and the fat that is on them which is by the flanks and the caul that is above the liver with the kidneys it shall he take away 5. And the priest shall burn them upon the altar for an offering made by fire unto the LORD it is a trespass-offering 6. Every male among the priests shall eat thereof it shall be eaten in the holy place it is most holy 7. As the sin-offering is so is the trespass-offering there is one law for them the priest that maketh atonement therewith shall have it 8. And the priest that offereth any man's burnt-offering even the priest shall have to himself the skin of the burnt-offering which he hath offered 9. And all the meat-offering that is baken in the oven and all that is dressed in the frying-pan and in the pan shall be the priest's that offereth it 10. And every meat-offering mingled with oyl and dry shall all the sons of Aaron have one as much as another 11. And this is the law of the sacrifice of peace-offerings which he shall offer unto the LORD 12. If he offer it for a thanksgiving then he shall offer with the sacrifice of thanksgiving unleavened cakes mingled with oyl and unleavened wafers anointed with oyl and cakes mingled with oyl of fine flour fryed 13. Besides the cakes he shall offer for his offering leavened bread with the sacrifice of thanksgiving of his peace-offerings 14. And of it he shall offer one out of the whole oblation for an heave-offering unto the LORD and it shall be the priest's that sprinkleth the blood of the peace-offerings 15. And the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace-offerings for thanksgiving shall be eaten the same day that it is offered he shall not leave any of it until the morning 16. But if the sacrifice of his offering be a vow or a voluntary offering it shall be eaten the same day that he offereth his sacrifice and on the morrow also the remainder of it shall be eaten 17. But the remainder of the flesh of the sacrifice on the third day shall be burnt with fire 18. And if any of the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace-offerings be eaten at all on the third day it shall not be accepted neither shall it be imputed unto him that offereth it it shall be an abomination and the soul that eateth of it shall bear his iniquity 19. And the flesh that toucheth any unclean thing shall not be eaten it shall be burnt with fire and as for the flesh all that be clean shall eat thereof 20. But the soul that eateth of the flesh of the sacrifice of peace-offerings that pertain unto the LORD having his uncleanness upon him even that soul shall be cut off from his people 21. Moreover the soul that shall touch any unclean thing as the uncleanness of man or any unclean beast or any abominable unclean thing and eat of the flesh of the sacrifice of peace-offerings which pertain unto the LORD even that soul shall be cut off from his people 22. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 23. Speak unto 〈◊〉 children of Israel saying Ye shall eat no manner fat of ox or of sheep or of goat 24. And the fat of the beast that dieth of it self and the fat of that which is torn with beasts may be used in any other use but ye shall in no wise eat of it 25. For whosoever eateth the fat of the beast of which men offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD even the soul that eateth it shall be cut off from his people 26. Moreover ye shall eat no manner of blood whether it be of fowl or of beast in any of your dwellings 27. Whatsoever soul it be that eateth any manner of blood even that soul shall be cut off from his people 28. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 29. Speak unto the children of Israel saying He that offereth the sacrifice of his peace-offerings unto the LORD shall bring his oblation unto the LORD of the sacrifice of his peace-offerings 30. His own hands shall bring the offerings of the LORD made by fire the fat with the breast it shall he bring that the breast may be waved for a wave-offering before the LORD 31. And the priest shall burn the fat upon the altar but the breast shall be Aaron's and his sons 32. And the right shoulder shall ye give unto the priest for an heave-offering of the sacrifices of your peace-offerings 33. He among the sons of Aaron that offereth the blood of the peace-offerings and the fat shall have the right shoulder for his part 34. For the wave-breast and the
heave-shoulder have I taken of the children of Israel from off the sacrifices of their peace-offerings and have given them unto Aaron the priest and unto his sons by a statute for ever from among the children of Israel 35. This is the portion of the anointing of Aaron and of the anointing of his sons out of the offerings of the LORD made by fire in the day when he presented them to minister unto the LORD in the priest's office 36. Which the LORD commanded to be given them of the children of Israel in the day that he anointed them by a statute for ever throughout their generations 37. This is the law of the burnt-offering of the meat-offering and of the sin-offering and of the trespass-offering and of the consecrations and of the sacrifice of the peace-offerings 38. Which the LORD commanded Moses in mount Sinai in the day that he commanded the children of Israel to offer their oblations unto the LORD in the wilderness of Sinai 1. TRespass-offering This Offering though in many things it was like the Sin-offering yet in other things it differed from it viz. 1. A Female was allowed in a Sin-offering but a Male was required in the Trespass-offering ch 4.28 with ch 6.6 2. The Blood of the Sin-offering was to be put upon the Horns of the Altar ch 4.34 that of the Trespass-offering was to be sprinkled round about upon the Altar v. 2. 3. The Sin-offering was sometime offered for the whole Congregation ch 4.13 The Trespass-offering for a single person 4. Two kidneys a Ch. 3.4 7. One law The difference between them is shewn on v. 1. Besides that they were alike in other things so in that which follows the Law was one and the same that the Priest that maketh atonement therewith shall have it Lev. 6.26 8. The skin This was allowed to the Priest who ministred for he was not allowed any part of the Flesh this was intirely consumed upon the Altar upon which consideration he is allowed the Skin whence 't is reasonable to conclude That in all other cases the Skin belonged to the Offerer 9. In the pan Or On the flat plate or slice 10. And dry Ch. 5.11 12. For thanksgiving For some mercy received 13. He shall offer c. This leavened Bread is not said to be offered upon the Altar nor does the Text in the Original imply any such thing Vid. ch 2.11 It was prepared for the Priest and those who were allowed to eat of this Offering 14. An heave-offering So it is called because it was lifted up as the Hebrew word imports 15. Be eaten the same day It is not to be supposed that the Offerer should be obliged to eat it himself in so short a time and therefore he was obliged to invite others to his assistance and this Law recommended to the Offerer Mercy and Kindness to his Brethren when he came to give God thanks for the Mercies which he had received And this account Philo the Jew gives of this matter That they says he who have been partakers of opportune and ready Benefits might express their ready and undelayed Beneficence to others Phil. de Victim 16. A vow or a voluntary offering See the Notes on ch 3.1 And on the morrow These offeâ—ings not having respect to a mercy already received were allowed to be eaten by the Offerer two days together whereas that v. 15. was to be eaten the same day in which it was offered as a testimony of the Offerer's Bounty and Gratitude 17. Burnt with fire And not eaten lest it should in that space of time corrupt 18. An abomination Lev. 19.7 19. The flesh i. e. The Holy Flesh or Flesh of the Peace-offering 20. Having his uncleanness Ch. 15.3 with ch 11.24 21. Cut off See Notes on Gen. 17.14 23. Ye shall eat no c. Ch. 3.7 This is forbid as that which is God's part of the Sacrifice v. 25. 24. Beast Heb. Carkase 26. Moreover c. Gen. 9.4 ch 3.17 and 17.14 29. His oblation c. That is the Fat which was the Lord's and the Breast which was the Priest's portion out of his Peace-offering v. 30. 31. 30. The breast Exod. 29.24 Wave-offering See the Notes on Exod. 29.24 35. This is the portion c. See Exod. 29.27 28. 37. And of the consecrations Of which we have an account Exod. 29. 38. In mount Sinai Or near unto Mount Sinai as it may be rendred it follows In the wilderness of Sinai CHAP. VIII The ARGUMENT The Consecration of Aaron and his Sons Aaron and his Sons washed Aaron is cloathed with the Holy Garments The Tabernacle is anointed and Aaron and his Sons are cloathed The Sin-offering upon this occasion The Ram for the Burnt-offering The Ram of Consecration The Wave-offering Aaron's Sons anointed The Consecration continues seven days 1. AND the LORD spake unto Moses saying 2. Take Aaron and his sons with him and the garments and the anointing oyl and a bullock for the sin-offering and two rams and a basket of unleavened bread 3. And gather thou all the congregation together unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation 4. And Moses did as the LORD commanded him and the assembly was gathered together unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation 5. And Moses said unto the congregation This is the thing which the LORD commanded to be done 6. And Moses brought Aaron and his sons and washed them with water 7. And he put upon him the coat and girded him with the girdle and cloathed him with the robe and put the ephod upon him and he girded him with the curious girdle of the ephod and bound it unto him therewith 8. And he put the breast-plate upon him also he put in the breast-plate the Vrim and Thummim 9. And he put the mitre upon his head also upon the mitre even upon his forefront did he put the golden-plate the holy crown as the LORD commanded Moses 10. And Moses took the anointing oyl and anointed the tabernacle and all that was therein and sanctified them 11. And he sprinkled thereof upon the altar seven times and anointed the altar and all his vessels both the laver and his foot to sanctifie them 12. And he poured of the anointing oyl upon Aaron's head and anointed him to sanctifie him 13. And Moses brought Aaron's sons and put coats upon them and girded them with girdles and put bonnets upon them as the LORD commanded Moses 14. And he brought the bullock for the sin-offering and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the bullock for the sin-offering 15. And he slew it and Moses took the blood and put it upon the horns of the altar round about with his finger and purified the altar and poured the blood at the bottom of the altar and sanctified it to make reconciliation upon it 16. And he took all the fat that was upon the inwards and the caul above the liver and the two kidneys and their
fat and Moses burned it upon the altar 17. But the bullock and his hide his flesh and his dung he burnt with fire without the camp as the LORD commanded Moses 18. And he brought the ram for the burnt-offering and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the ram 19. And he killed it and Moses sprinkled the blood upon the altar round about 20. And he cut the ram into pieces and Moses burnt the head and the pieces and the fat 21. And he washed the inwards and the legs in water and Moses burnt the whole ram upon the altar it was a burnt-sacrifice for a sweet savour and an offering made by fire unto the LORD as the LORD commanded Moses 22. And he brought the other ram the ram of consecration and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the ram 23. And he slew it and Moses took of the blood of it and put it upon the tip of Aaron's right ear and upon the thumb of his right hand and upon the great toe of his right foot 24. And he brought Aaron's sons and Moses put of the blood upon the tip of their right ear and upon the thumbs of their right hands and upon the great toes of their right feet and Moses sprinkled the blood upon the altar round about 25. And he took the fat and the rump and all the fat that was upon the inwards and the caul above the liver and the two kidneys and their fat and the right shoulder 26. And out of the basket of unleavened bread that was before the LORD he took one unleavened cake and a cake of oyled bread and one wafer and put them on the fat and upon the right shoulder 27. And he put all upon Aaron's hands and upon his sons hands and waved them for a wave-offering before the LORD 28. And Moses took them from off their hands and burnt them on the altar upon the burnt-offering they were consecrations for a sweet savour it is an offering made by fire unto the LORD 29. And Moses took the breast and waved it for a wave-offering before the LORD for of the ram of consecration it was Moses's part as the LORD commanded Moses 30. And Moses took of the anointing oyl and of the blood which was upon the altar and sprinkled it upon Aaron and upon his garments and upon his sons and upon his sons garments with him and sanctified Aaron and his garments and his sons and his sons garments with him 31. And Moses said unto Aaron and to his sons Boyl the flesh at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation and there eat it with the bread that is in the basket of consecrations as I commanded saying Aaron and his sons shall eat it 32. And that which remaineth of the flesh and of the bread shall ye burn with fire 33. And ye shall not go out of the door of the tabernacle of the congregation in seven days until the days of your consecration be at an end for seven days shall he consecrate you 34. As he hath done this day so the LORD hath commanded to do to make an atonement for you 35. Therefore shall ye abide at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation day and night seven days and keep the charge of the LORD that ye die not for so I am commanded 36. So Aaron and his sons did all things which the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses 2. The garments Exod. 28.2 4. The anointing oyl Exod. 30.24 3. All the congregation At least the Heads of the People the Elders of Israel ch 9.1 who were Witnesses that Aaron and his Sons did not take upon themselves the honour of Priesthood but were set apart by God's appointment 5. This is the thing Exod. 29.4 What was commanded Exod. 29. is here put in execution 6. Brought viz. Unto the door of the Tabernacle of the Congregation Exod. 29.4 Washed them with water In order to the setting them apart for their Holy Office The Jews in after-times received Proselytes by Baptism into their Church 7. And he put upon him the coat This was also in order to set him apart for his Holy Function And in the latter times of the Jewish State when they had not the Holy Oyl this Cloathing was used in lieu of it 8. Put in Exod. 28.30 9. Commanded Exod. 28.29 c. 10. Anointed the tabernacle By this Rite was the Tabernacle set apart for the service of God which is afterward expressed by Sanctifying 12. Poured c. Ps 133.2 Ecclus 45.15 Vpon Aaron's head And thus was he set apart to his Holy Office It is said it was to sanctifie him The High-Priests that succeeded were anointed also though the ordinary Priests were not This Holy Ointment with which Aaron was anointed was a Symbol of the great Sanctity required in him 13. Put Heb. Bound 14. And he brought c. Exod. 29.1 The bullock for the sin-offering It is worth the considering in what order the Sacrifices are offered up viz. First A Sin-offering to reconcile and make atonement without which they could not be fit to draw nigh to God and minister to him in Holy Things nor to present any Offering to him Then a Burnt-offering as a Gift that God would accept when they had first made atonement for their Sins And lastly The Ram of Consecration which was a Peace-offering and a sign of being admitted into God's Favour See the General Argument before this Book 17. Commanded Exod. 29.14 18. Burnt-offering Exod. 29.18 22. He brought Exod. 29.31 24. Tip of the right ear c. The puting the Blood on their Ears Hands and Feet put them in mind how ready they ought to be to learn and practise their Duty and to steer their Course a-right 27. Vpon Aaron's hands Exod. 29.24 c. 29. Part Exod. 29.26 31. Eat it with the bread Exod. 29.31 33. Seven days Exod. 29.35 34. As he hath done this day c. Or Is done Thou shalt offer every day a bullock c. Exod. 29.36 35. The charge of the LORD That charge which the Lord hath laid upon you CHAP. IX The ARGUMENT Aaron being consecrated enters upon the Exercise of his Office The Sin-offering for himself His Burnt-offering The Sin-offering for the People their Burnt-offering and Peace-offering Moses and Aaron bless the People A Fire from the Lord upon the Altar 1. AND it came to pass on the eighth day that Moses called Aaron and his sons and the elders of Israel 2. And he said unto Aaron Take thee a young calf for a sin-offering and a ram for a burnt-offering without blemish and offer them before the LORD 3. And unto the children of Israel thou shalt speak saying Take ye a kid of the goats for a sin-offering and a calf and a lamb both of the first year without blemish for a burnt-offering 4. Also a bullock and a ram for peace-offerings to sacrifice before the LORD and a
not rinsed his hands in water he shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean untill the even 12. And the vessel of earth that he toucheth which hath the issue shall be broken and every vessel of wood shall be rinsed in water 13. And when he that hath an issue is cleansed of his issue then he shall number to himself seven days for his cleansing and wash his clothes and bathe his flesh in running water and shall be clean 14. And on the eighth day he shall take to him two turtle-doves or two young pigeons and come before the LORD unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation and give them unto the priest 15. And the priest shall offer them the one for a sin-offering and the other for a burnt-offering and the priest shall make an atonement for him before the LORD for his issue 16. And if any man's seed of copulation go out from him then he shall wash all his flesh in water and be unclean untill the even 17. And every garment and every skin whereon is the seed of copulation shall be washed with water and be unclean untill the even 18. The woman also with whom man shall lie with seed of copulation they shall both bathe themselves in water and be unclean untill the even 19. And if a woman have an issue and her issue in her flesh be blood she shall be put a-part seven days and whosoever toucheth her shall be unclean untill the even 20. And every thing that she lieth upon in her separation shall be unclean every thing also that she sitteth upon shall be unclean 21. And whosoever toucheth her bed shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean untill the even 22. And whosoever toucheth any thing that she sat upon shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean untill the even 23. And if it be on her bed or on any thing whereon she sitteth when he toucheth it he shall be unclean untill the even 24. And if any man lie with her at all and her flowers be upon him he shall be unclean seven days and all the bed whereon he lieth shall be unclean 25. And if a woman have an issue of her blood many days out of the time of her separation or if it run beyond the time of her separation all the days of the issue of her uncleanness shall be as the days of her separation she shall be unclean 26. Every bed whereon she lieth all the days of her issue shall be unto her as the bed of her separation and whatsoever she sitteth upon shall be unclean as the uncleanness of her separation 27. And whosoever toucheth those things shall be unclean and shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean untill the even 28. But if she be cleansed of her issue then she shall number to her self seven days and after that she shall be clean 29. And on the eighth day she shall take unto her two turtles or two young pigeons and bring them unto the priest to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation 30. And the priest shall offer the one for a sin-offering and the other for a burnt-offering and the priest shall make an atonement for her before the LORD for the issue of her uncleanness 31. Thus shall ye separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness that they die not in their uncleanness when they defile my tabernacle that is among them 32. This is the law of him that hath an issue and of him whose seed goeth from him and is defiled therewith 33. And of her that is sick of her flowers and of him that hath an issue of the man and of the woman and of him that lieth with her which is unclean 2. Running issue Or Running of the reins Flesh This is to be understood in that sense in which the word is taken Gen. 17.13 3. Run or be stopped i. e. Whether it flow or through its consistency stop the passage 4. Thing Hebr. Vessel 5. Whosoever toucheth c. This is an argument that the Man who was legally unclean with his Issue was under a great degree of Uncleanness in that he did not onely defile what he touched but that which was so defiled did also defile him that touched it 12. Vessel of earth Ch. 6.28 13. For his cleansing i. e. For a proof of his being perfectly healed ch 13.4 15. Atonement See ch 14.18 16. Go out from him viz. Against his Will See Deut. 23.10 Vnclean i. e. Legally unclean 19. Put apart Heb. In her separation 24. Lie with her at all That is though he do it ignorantly not knowing her to be in that condition For if he did it knowingly he was liable to be cut off ch 20.18 28. Cleansed i. e. Healed See v. 13. 31. When they defile my Tabernacle By approaching to it in their legal Impurities See ch 16.16 CHAP. XVI The ARGUMENT Of the High-priest's going into the Holy of Holies He must put on the Holy Garments and bring his Sin-offering for himself Of the two Goats for the People one whereof was a Sin-offering for them of the other called the Scape-goat Aaron's Burnt-offering and that of the People The tenth Day of the seventh Month the Day of Expiation appointed to be both a Fast and Sabbath or Day of Rest 1. AND the LORD spake unto Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron when they offered before the LORD and died 2. And the LORD said unto Moses Speak unto Aaron thy brother that he come not at all times into the holy place within the veil before the mercy-seat which is upon the ark that he die not for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy-seat 3. Thus shall Aaron come into the holy place with a young bullock for a sin-offering and a ram for a burnt-offering 4. He shall put on the holy linen coat and he shall have the linen breeches upon his flesh and shall be girded with the linen girdle and with the linen mitre shall he be attired these are holy garments therefore shall he wash his flesh in water and so put them on 5. And he shall take of the congregation of the children of Israel two kids of the goats for a sin-offering and one ram for a burnt-offering 6. And Aaron shall offer his bullock of the sin-offering which is for himself and make an atonement for himself and for his house 7. And he shall take the two goats and present them before the LORD at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation 8 And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats one lot for the LORD and the other lot for the scape-goat 9. And Aaron shall bring the goat upon which the LORD's lot fell and offer him for a sin-offering 10. But the goat on which the lot fell to be the scape-goat shall be presented alive before the LORD to make an
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
a man Ch. 18.22 14. It is wickedness Ch. 18.17 15. And if a man Ch. 18.23 Slay the beast And thereby destroy the Memorial of so great a Wickedness 17. And if a man Ch. 18.9 18. And if a man c. Ch. 18.19 This is to be understood of wilfull or presumptuous doing it He that did it ignorantly was not liable to the same severity ch 15.24 Discovered Heb. Made naked 20. Die childless That is God will so order it that they shall either not have Children or not leave them behind them 21. An unclean thing Heb. A separation 22. Statutes Ch. 18.26 Spue Ch. 18.25 23. Therefore Deut. 9.5 25. Ye shall therefore put difference c. Ch. 11.2 Deut. 14.4 Abominable Detestable for your Disobedience and legal Impurity Creepeth Or Moveth 26. For I c. v. 7. chap. 19.2 1 Pet. 1.16 27. A man also c. Deut. 18.11 1 Sam. 28.7 CHAP. XXI The ARGUMENT The Priests are to keep themselves undefiled To that purpose Laws are given relating to their Mourning and Marriages Of the Blemishes of the Priests which hindred them from Officiating 1. AND the LORD said unto Moses Speak unto the priests the sons of Aaron and say unto them There shall none be defiled for the dead among his people 2. But for his kin that is near unto him that is for his mother and for his father and for his son and for his daughter and for his brother 3. And for his sister a virgin that is nigh unto him which hath had no husband for her may he be defiled 4. But he shall not defile himself being a chief man among his people to profane himself 5. They shall not make baldness upon their head neither shall they shave off the corner of their beard nor make any cuttings in their flesh 6. They shall be holy unto their God and not profane the name of their God for the offerings of the LORD made by fire and the bread of their God they do offer therefore they shall be holy 7. They shall not take a wife that is a whore or profane neither shall they take a woman put away from her husband for he is holy unto his God 8. Thou shalt sanctifie him therefore for he offereth the bread of thy God he shall be holy unto thee for I the LORD which sanctifie you am holy 9. And the daughter of any priest if she profane her self by playing the whore she profaneth her father she shall be burnt with fire 10. And he that is the high-priest among his brethren upon whose head the anointing oyl was poured and that is consecrated to put on the garments shall not uncover his head nor rent his clothes 11. Neither shall he go in to any dead body nor defile himself for his father or for his mother 12. Neither shall he go out of the sanctuary nor profane the sanctuary of his God for the crown of the anointing oyl of his God is upon him I am the LORD 13. And he shall take a wife in her virginity 14. A widow or a divorced woman or profane or an harlot these shall he not take but he shall take a virgin of his own people to wife 15. Neither shall he profane his seed among his people for I the LORD do sanctifie him 16. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 17. Speak unto Aaron saying Whosoever he be of thy seed in their generations that hath any blemish let him not approach to offer the bread of his God 18. For whatsoever man he be that hath a blemish he shall not approach a blind man or a lame or he that hath a flat nose or any thing superfluous 19. Or a man that is broken-footed or broken-handed 20. Or croak-backt or a dwarf or that hath a blemish in his eye or be scurvy or scabbed or hath his stones broken 21. No man that hath a blemish of the seed of Aaron the priest shall come nigh to offer the offerings of the LORD made by fire he hath a blemish he shall not come nigh to offer the bread of his God 22. He shall eat the bread of his God both of the most holy and of the holy 23. Onely he shall not go in unto the veil nor come nigh unto the altar because he hath a blemish that he profane not my sanctuaries for I the LORD do sanctifie them 24. And Moses told it unto Aaron and to his sons and unto all the children of Israel 1. THere shall none be defiled for the dead The touching of a dead body or coming into the Tent where such a body was the preparing it for burial and mourning over it were legal Pollutions Numb 19.11 16. and v. 14. Deut. 26.14 Hos 9.4 These things rendred persons legally unclean sequestring them from Common Conversation and Holy Service The Priests being separated to the Service of God were not allowed promiscuously to defile themselves for the Dead And this puts all those who are dedicated to the Service of God in mind to avoid every thing that either defiles them or diverts them from their holy Employment vid. Numb 6.6 Matt. 8.22 Among his people That is among the Israelites 3. No husband viz. To take care of her Burial 4. He shall not c. Or being an Husband among his people he shall not defile himself for his Wife c. The meaning however of the place seems to be this That the Priest being a principal Person among his Brethren by reason of the Sacredness and Dignity of his Office shall not defile himself and render himself unfit for the attending upon the Office which he was placed in 5. They shall not c. Ch. 19.27 6. Bread i. e. Food Gifts say the Greek The Chaldee renders it Oblation Therefore c. i. e. They being the Servants of God and employed in Holy things 7. Profane That is either of a faulty Original and Extraction viz. the daughter of a Whore c. Or else one who is vitiated whether it were voluntarily or against her Will. Put away from her husband It being supposed in that case that she was divorced for some fault and God would have the Wives of the Priests not onely free from fault but from suspicion also 1 Tim. 3.11 8. Thou shalt sanctifie him therefore i. e. The People were obliged to treat and regard the Priests as holy or separated Persons to the Service of God 9. The daughter This by the Jews is understood of one who hath an Husband or is at least espoused to one Maim H. Sanedr c. 15. Her father Who will suffer in his reputation 1 Tim. 3.4 5. 10. Vncover See the Notes on ch 10.6 Head Upon which the anointing Oyl a Symbol of Joy as well as great Holiness was poured Clothes They being also Holy as they were Commanded by God and set apart to his Service 11. For his father or for his mother Whom he was obliged to honour as well as other Men and the inferiour Priests were
allowed to be defiled for 12. Go out Ch. 10.7 Crown The anointing Oyl was that by which the High-priest was Crowned and separated to his Office Besides that on his Head he had that which is called a Crown elsewhere Exod. 39.6 Levit. 8.9 12. 14. Of his own people And not of a strange Nation 15. Profane Or vitiate and corrupt by foreign and forbidden Mixtures in Marriage 17. Bread Or Food 18. A blemish The general Heads of Blemishes are laid down here the Jews reckon under these general Heads many particulars to the number of 90. Superfluous Ch. 22.23 20. A dwarf Or too slender 21. Of the seed of Aaron i. e. Though he be of that seed 22. Of the most holy Such were the Sin and Trespass-offering the Meat-offering and Shew-bread Numb 18.9 Levit. 24.9 The holy Such were the Peace-offerings the Wave and Heave-offerings Numb 18.8 11. Levit. 10.14 24. To all It being the common interest of all that God should be served aright CHAP. XXII The ARGUMENT The Priests in their Vncleanness are prohibited to eat of Holy Things Of the Things which render them unclean and how they must be cleansed Who of the Priest's Family may eat of the Holy Things Of the Stranger that eats the Holy Things unwittingly The Sacrifices must be without blemish Of the Age of the Sacrifice and the Law of the Thanksgiving-offering 1. AND the LORD spake unto Moses saying 2. Speak unto Aaron and to his sons that they separate themselves from the holy things of the children of Israel and that they profane not my holy name in those things which they hallow unto me I am the LORD 3. Say unto them Whosoever he be of all your seed among your generations that goeth unto the holy things which the children of Israel hallow unto the LORD having his uncleanness upon him that soul shall be cut off from my presence I am the LORD 4. What man soever of the seed of Aaron is a leper or hath a running issue he shall not eat of the holy things untill he be clean And whoso toucheth any thing that is unclean by the dead or a man whose seed goeth from him 5. Or whosoever toucheth any creeping thing whereby he may be made unclean or a man of whom he may take uncleanness whatsoever uncleannese he hath 6. The soul which hath touched any such shall be unclean untill even and shall not eat of the holy things unless he wash his flesh with water 7. And when the sun is down he shall be clean and shall afterward eat of the holy things because it is his food 8. That which dieth of it self or is torn with beasts he shall not eat to defile himself therewith I am the LORD 9. They shall therefore keep mine ordinance lest they bear sin for it and die therefore if they profane it I the LORD do sanctifie them 10. There shall no stranger eat of the holy thing a sojourner of the priest or an hired servant shall not eat of the holy thing 11. But if the priest buy any soul with his money he shall eat of it and he that is born in his house they shall eat of his meat 12. If the priest's daughter also be married unto a stranger she may not eat of an offering of the holy things 13. But if the priest's daughter be a widow or divorced and have no child and is returned unto her father's house as in her youth she shall eat of her father's meat but there shall no stranger eat thereof 14. And if a man eat of the holy thing unwittingly then he shall put the fifth part thereof unto it and shall give it unto the priest with the holy thing 15. And they shall not profane the holy things of the children of Israel which they offer unto the LORD 16. Or suffer them to bear the iniquity of trespass when they eat their holy things for I the LORD do sanctifie them 17. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 18. Speak unto Aaron and to his sons and unto all the children of Israel and say unto them Whatsoever he be of the house of Israel or of the strangers in Israel that will offer his oblation for all his vows and for all his free-will-offerings which they will offer unto the LORD for a burnt-offering 19. Ye shall offer at your own will a male without blemish of the beeves of the sheep or of the goats 20. But whatsoever hath a blemish that shall ye not offer for it shall not be acceptable for you 21. And whosoever offereth a sacrifice of peace-offerings unto the LORD to accomplish his vow or a free-will-offering in beeves or sheep it shall be perfect to be accepted there shall be no blemish therein 22. Blind or broken or maimed or having a men or scurvy or scabbed ye shall not offer these unto the LORD nor make an offering by fire of them upon the altar unto the LORD 23. Either a bullock or a lamb that hath any thing superfluous or lacking in his parts that mayest thou offer for a free-will-offering but for a vow it shall not be accepted 24. Ye shall not offer unto the LORD that which is bruised or crushed or broken or cut neither shall you make any offering thereof in your land 25. Neither from a stranger's hand shall ye offer the bread of your God of any of these because their corruption is in them and blemishes be in them they shall not be accepted for you 26. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 27. When a bullock or a sheep or a goat is brought forth then it shall be seven days under the dam and from the eighth day and thenceforth it shall be accepted for an offering made by fire unto the LORD 28. And whether it be now or ew ye shall not kill it and her young both in one day 29. And when ye will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving into the LORD offer it at your own will 30. On the same day it shall be eaten up ye shall leave none of it untill the morrow I am the LORD 31. Therefore shall ye keep my commandments and do them I am the LORD 32. Neither shall ye profane my holy name but I will be hallowed among the children of Israel I am the LORD which hallow you 33. That brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God I am the LORD 2. Separate themselves i. e. That they abstain from eating the Holy Things in their Uncleanness v. 6. Profane not my holy name God will be sanctified in them that come nigh him ch 10.3 And he is so when Men worship him with that Reverence and Holiness which he requires But when they come to him in their Uncleanness they profane his Holy Name v. 15 32. 3. That goeth unto Or that draweth nigh unto as it is in the Hebrew This is to be understood here of eating v. 6. 4. Of the seed of Aaron That is tho' he be of the
which was given about this time Exod. 19.1 16. At this time also the Holy Ghost descended Act. 2.1 2. A new meat-offering Viz. The first-fruits of Wheat-harvest Exod. 34.22 Hence this Feast is called the day of the first-fruits Numb 28.26 17. With leaven Ch. 2.11 and ch 7.13 21. Ye shall proclaim Or call and assemble the People together See v. 2. 22. When ye reap Ch. 19.9 Neither shalt thou Deut. 24.19 24. Seventh Numb 29.1 This Month the Jews reckoned the first Month with respect to their Sabbatical Years their Jubilees their Planting c. Rosh Hasshanah c. 1. A Sabbath A Festival or Day of rest from servile work v. 25. See the Notes on v. 11. Blowing of Trumpets To give them notice of this beginning of the Year and probably to awaken them to Repentance against the Day of Expiation 27. Also on the tenth Ch. 16.30 Numb 29.7 32. Celebrate Heb. Rest Sabbath See verse 11. and compare Isa 58.3 and verse 13. 34. The fifteenth Numb 29.12 The feast of Tabernacles So called because at that time the Jews dwelt in Booths or Tabernacles or certain moveable Tents Joh. 7.2 It is also called the Feast of in-gathering because it was kept at a time of year when they had gathered in their Harvest Exod. 23.16 Deut. 16.13 The design of this Feast seems to have been that they might remember the benefit which the Cloud afforded them when they went through the Wilderness as the Chaldee Paraphrast intimates on the 43 verse To which may be added That it was appointed that they might remember their Fore-fathers dwelling in Booths in the Wilderness v. 43. At their first coming out of Egypt they came to Succoth Exod. 12.37 which signifies Tabernacles and in Tabernacles they continued in the Wilderness Another End of this Feast seems to be this That they might praise God for the fruits of the past year which they had newly gathered in Deut. 16.13 14 15. 36. On the eighth day Called the great day of the feast Joh. 7.37 Solemn assembly Heb. Day of restraint 37. A sacrifice Whether sin or peace-offering 38. Gifts Such Offerings as were additional to what was precisely commanded and were brought according as Men were able and as God had prospered them Deut. 16.10 17. 39. When ye have c. When your Labour about your Harvest is at an end and you are at leisure The Feast of Pentecost was but one day they being then in their Harvest 40. Boughs Heb. Fruit. Boughs at least of fruitfull Trees or such Trees as were not dead and barren 43. That your generations c. See the Notes on v. 34. 44. Vnto the children of Israel Who where concerned as well as the Priests in these Laws CHAP. XXIV The ARGUMENT Of the Oyl for the Lamps and Shew-bread Of the Blasphemer and the Law concerning Blasphemy Of Murder and Damage The Blasphemer is stoned 1. AND the LORD spake unto Moses saying 2. Command the children of Israel that they bring unto thee pure oyl-olive beaten for the light to cause the lamps to burn continually 3. Without the veil of the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation shall Aaron order it from the evening unto the morning before the LORD continually It shall be a statute for ever in your generations 4. He shall order the lamps upon the pure candlestick before the LORD continually 5. And thou shalt take fine flour and bake twelve cakes thereof two tenth-deals shall be in one cake 6. And thou shalt set them in two rows six on a row upon the pure table before the LORD 7. And thou shalt put pure frankincense upon each row that it may be on the bread for a memorial even an offering made by fire unto the LORD 8. Every sabbath he shall set it in order before the LORD continually being taken from the children of Israel by an everlasting covenant 9. And it shall be Aaron's and his sons and they shall eat it in the holy place for it is most holy unto him of the offerings of the LORD made by fire by a perpetual statute 10. And the son of an Israelitish woman whose father was an Egyptian went out among the children of Israel and this son of the Israelitish woman and a man of Israel strove together in the camp 11. And the Israelitish woman's son blasphemed the Name of the LORD and cursed and they brought him unto Moses and his mother's name was Shelomith the daughter of Dibri of the tribe of Dan 12. And they put him in ward that the mind of the LORD might be shewed them 13. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 14. Bring forth him that hath cursed without the camp and let all that heard him lay their hands upon his head and let all the congregation stone him 15. And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel saying Whosoever curseth his God shall bear his sin 16. And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD he shall surely be put to death and all the congregation shall certainly stone him as well the stranger as he that is born in the land when he blasphemeth the Name of the LORD shall be put to death 17. And he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death 18. And he that killeth a beast shall make it good beast for beast 19. And if a man cause a blemish in his neighbour as he hath done so shall it be done unto him 20. Breach for breach eye for eye tooth for tooth as he hath caused a blemish in a man so shall it be done to him again 21. And he that killeth a beast he shall restore it and he that killeth a man he shall be put to death 22. Ye shall have one manner of law as well for the stranger as for one of your own countrey for I am the LORD your God 23. And Moses spake unto the children of Israel that they should bring forth him that had cursed out of the camp and stone him with stones and the children of Israel did as the LORD commanded Moses 1. AND the LORD c. After the Precepts concerning the yearly Feasts he lets them know what is to be done in the Sanctuary Daily and Weekly 2. Command the children of Israel that they bring c. This Precept is given here in pursuance of what God had said unto Moses Exod. 27.20 and it is given to the Children of Israel because they were to be at the charge or cost For these things which follow being a part of the standing and publick service of the Tabernacle were to be provided for at the cost of the whole Congregation And it was accordingly provided that there should be a constant allowance to that purpose these Oblations being in behalf of the whole Congregation Exod. 23.15 and 27.21 and 30.13 16. To cause c. Heb. To cause to ascend 3. Veil of the testimony i. e. The Veil of the Ark of the Testimony Exod. 25.16 which parted the Holy place
six hundred they shall go hindmost with their standards 32. These are those which were numbred of the children of Israel by the house of their fathers all those that were numbred of the camps throughout their hosts were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty 33. But the Levites were not numbred among the children of Israel as the LORD commanded Moses 34. And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses so they pitched by their standards and so they set forward every one after their families according to the house of their fathers 2. Standard or Banner the setting up of which is a Warlike preparation Ps 20.5 with Jer. 51.27 Ensign These Standards were distinguished by certain marks or signs What those were is not here expressed but the Jewish Writers tell us that the Ensign of Judah was a Lion that of Reuben a Man that of Ephraim an Ox and that of Dan an Eagle Far off Heb. Over-against The distance between the Tabernacle and the Camp of Israel is not here expressed but is probably collected from Josh 3.4 to be about the space of Two thousand Cubits or a Mile which is called a Sabbath-days journey Act. 1.12 vid. Targum in Ruth 1.16 3. On the East-side c. i. e. In the first or principal place as the Greek have it In this Quarter were Moses and Aaron and his Sons placed ch 3.38 14. Reuel Called Deuel ch 1.14 25. Dan He was the Son of an Handmaid but hath his Standard assigned him a Dignity very agreeable to Jacob's Prediction Dan shall judge his people as one of the tribes of Israel Gen. 49.16 33. But the Levites c. Seâ— the Notes on ch 1.47 CHAP. III. The ARGUMENT Of the Sons of Aaron The Charge of the Levites who are taken in lieu of the first-born The Levites are numbred The Number and Charge of the Gershonites Of the Kohathites and of the Merarites The Number of the whole The First-born of the Israelites are numbred and freed by the Levites the overplus are redeemed 1. THese also are the generations of Aaron and Moses in the day that the LORD spake with Moses in mount Sinai 2. And these are the names of the sons of Aaron Nadab the first-born and Abihu Eleazar and Ithamar 3. These are the names of the sons of Aaron the priests which were anointed whom he consecrated to minister in the priest's office 4. And Nadab and Abihu died before the LORD when they offered strange fire before the LORD in the wilderness of Sinai and they had no children and Eleazar and Ithamar ministred in the priest's office in the sight of Aaron their father 5. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 6. Bring the tribe of Levi near and present them before Aaron the priest that they may minister unto him 7. And they shall keep his charge and the charge of the whole congregation before the tabernacle of the congregation to do the service of the tabernacle 8. And they shall keep all the instruments of the tabernacle of the congregation and the charge of the children of Israel to do the service of the tabernacle 9. And thou shalt give the Levites unto Aaron and to his sons they are wholly given unto him out of the children of Israel 10. And thou shalt appoint Aaron and his sons and they shall wait on their priest's office and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death 11. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 12. And I behold I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel in stead of all the first-born that openeth the matrice among the children of Israel therefore the Levites shall be mine 13. Because all the first-born are mine for on the day that I smote all the first-born in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto me all the first-born in Israel both man and beast mine they shall be I am the LORD 14. And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai saying 15. Number the children of Levi after the house of their fathers by their families every male from a month old and upward shalt thou number them 16. And Moses numbred them according to the word of the LORD as he was commanded 17. And these were the sons of Levi by their names Gershon and Kohath and Merari 18. And these are the names of the sons of Gershon by their families Libni and Shimei 19. And the sons of Kohath by their families Amram and Izehar Hebron and Vzziel 20. And the sons of Merari by their families Mabli and Mushi these are the families of the Levites according to the house of their fathers 21. Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites and the family of the Shimites these are the families of the Gershonites 22. Those that were numbred of them according to the number of all the males from a month old and upward even those that were numbred of them were seven thousand and five hundred 23. The families of the Gershonites shall pitch behind the tabernacle westward 24. And the chief of the house of the father of the Gershonites shall be Eliasaph the son of Lael 25. And the charge of the sons of Gershon in the tabernacle of the congregation shall be the tabernacle and the tent the covering thereof and the hanging for the door of the tabernacle of the congregation 26. And the hangings of the court and the curtain for the door of the court which is by the tabernacle and by the altar round about and the cords of it for all the service thereof 27. And of Kohath was the family of the Amramites and the family of the Izeharites and the family of the Hebronites and the family of the Vzzielites these are the families of the Kohathites 28. In the number of all the males from a month old and upward were eight thousand and six hundred keeping the charge of the sanctuary 29. The families of the sons of Kohath shall pitch on the side of the tabernacle southward 30. And the chief of the house of the father of the families of the Kohathites shall be Elizaphan the son of Vzziel 31. And their charge shall be the ark and the table and the candlestick and the altars and the altars and the vessels of the sanctuary wherewith they minister and the hanging and all the service thereof 32. And Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest shall be chief over the chief of the Levites and have the oversight of them that keep the charge of the sanctuary 33. Of Merari was the family of the Mâ—hlites and the family of the Mushites these are the families of Merari 34. And those that were numbred of them according to the number of all the males from a month old and upward were six thousand and two hundred 35. And the chief of the house of the father of the families of Merari was Zuriel the son of Abihail these shall pitch on the side of
the tabernacle northward 36. And under the custody and charge of the sons of Merari shall be the boards of the tabernacle and the bars thereof and the pillars thereof and the sockets thereof and all the vessels thereof and all that serveth thereto 37. And the pillars of the court round about and their sockets and their pins and their cords 38. But those that encamp before the tabernacle toward the east even before the tabernacle of the congregation eastward shall be Moses and Aaron and his sons keeping the charge of the sanctuary for the charge of the children of Israel and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death 39. All that were numbred of the Levites which Moses and Aaron numbred at the commandment of the LORD throughout their families all the males from a mouth old and upward were twenty and two thousand 40. And the LORD said unto Moses Number all the first-born of the males of the children of Israel from a month old and upward and take the â—umber of their names 41. And thou shalt take the Levites for me I am the LORD in stead of all the first-born among the children of Israel and the cattel of the Levites in stead of all the firstlings among the cattel of the children of Israel 42. And Moses numbred as the LORD commanded him all the first-born among the children of Israel 43. And all the first-born males by the number of names from a month old and upward of those that were numbred of them were twenty and two thousand two hundred and threescore and thirteen 44. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 45. Take the Levites in stead of all the first-born among the children of Israel and the cattel of the Levites in stead of their cattel and the Levites shall be mine I am the LORD 46. And for those that are to be redeemed of the two hundred and threescore and thirteen of the first-born of the children of Israel which are more then the Levites 47. Thou shalt even take five shekels a piece by the pâ—ll after the shekel of the sanctuary shalt thou take them the shekel is twenty gerabs 48. And thou shalt give the money wherewith the odd number of them is to be redeemed unto Aaron and to his sons 49. And Moses took the redemption-money of them that were over and above them that were redeemed by the Levites 50. Of the first-born of the children of Israel took he the money a thousand three hundred and threescore and five shekels after the shekel of the sanctuary 51. And Moses gave the money of them that were redeemed unto Aaron and to his sons according to the word of the LORD as the LORD commanded Moses 1. AND Moses The Posterity of Moses whose Sons were not Priests but Levites 1 Chron. 23.13 14. are numbred among the Kohathites v. 27. 2. The first-born Exod. 6.23 3. Whom be consecrated Heb. Whose hand he filled See Exod. 29.9 4. And Nadab c. Levit. 10.1 ch 26.61 1 Chron. 24.2 In the sight c. Or With as the Greek have it viz. in the life-time of Aaron And thus much the Hebrew imports elsewhere Vid. Gen. 11.28 6. Minister The Work and Office of the Levites was as follows I. To minister to the Priests as appears from this Verse and from 1 Chron. 23.28 II. To serve at the Tabernacle this is expressed by keeping the Charge of the whole Congregation v. 7. And herein they served the People Vid. 2. Chron. 35.3 We have an account in this Chapter of the particular charge of the Gershonites v. 25 26. Of the Kohathites v. 31. Of the Merarites v. 36. And of their Carriages ch 4. and Deut. 10.8 From the Carriages they were excused in after-times when the Temple was built 1 Chron. 23.26 But then they were appointed III. To be Singers 1 Chron. 23.30 and ch 24. IV. And Pâ—rters to the several Gates of the Temple 1 Chron. 26.13 V. They had the charge of the Treasure 1 Chron. 26.20 of the House of God and of the Dedicate things And lastly some of them were made Officers and Judges in Business of the Lord and Service of the King See 1 Chron. 26.29 30. 7. His charge That is Aaron's v. 6. whom they were to obey The Hebrew imports this sense Levit. 18.30 And the charge of the whole congregation They were not onely â—o serve Aaron but the People also 2 Chron. 35.3 out of whom they were taken instead of the First-born v. 12. and whom they served when they attended upon the Sanctuary and discharged the several duties of their place v. 8. The Levites Obligation to Aaron and to the People may be learned from v. 9. 10. Priest's office It was the proper and peculiar Office of the Priests to bless the People in the name of the Lord to offer Incense and to minister at the Altar Numb 18.7 Deut. 21.5 1 Chron. 23.13 Stranger i. e. Who is not of the Family of Aaron See ch 1.51 Put to death See Numb 16. 13. For on the day Exod. 13.2 Levit. 27.26 chap. 8.16 Luk. 2.23 14. Moses Not to Moses and Aaron The Number of the Israelites was to be taken by Aaron as well as Moses ch 1.3 and so was that of the Kohathites ch 4.2 And the Gershonites and Merarites are expressly said to be numbred by Aaron as well as Moses ch 4.41 45. But the Precept to number the Levites here is onely directed to Moses and by him was executed v. 16. whatever assistance or approbation Aaron might give v. 39. And again we find that Moses was onely concerned in numbring the First-born of Israel v. 40 41 42. in which Aaron is not mentioned at all For since the Money with which the First-born of Israel which exceeded the number of the Levites were to be redeemed was to be paid to Aaron and his Sons v. 48. He whose advantage it was that the number of the First-born of Israel should exceed was not authorized to take the number 15. From a month old c. The reason why the Levites were numbred here from a Month old and not as the other Tribes from twenty years old and upward is because they were taken in the stead of the First-born v. 12. and are therefore numbred at that age when the First-born were to be redeemed Numb 18.16 16. Word Heb. Mouth 17. And these c. Gen. 46.11 Exod. 6.16 ch 26.57 1 Chron. 6.1 23. Behind the tabernacle westward The East was reckoned the first place ch 2 3. and the West was consequently behind The Gershonites pitched between the Tabernacle and the Standard of Ephraim ch 2.18 25. The charge c. Compare ch 4.25 29. Southward Between the Sanctuary and the Standard of Reuben ch 2.10 31. Their charge Compare ch 4. v. 5 c. 35. Northward viz. Between the Sanctuary and the Standard of Daâ— ch 2.25 36. Under the custody Heb. The office of the charge Compare chap. 4.31 32. 38. Eastward viz. Between
pins and their cords with all their instruments and with all their service and by name ye shall reckon the instruments of the charge of their burden 33. This is the service of the families of the sons of Merari according to all their service in the tabernacle of the congregation under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest 34. And Moses and Aaron and the chief of the congregation numbred the sons of the Kohathites after their families and after the house of their fathers 35. From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old every one that entreth into the service for the work in the tabernacle of the congregation 36. And those that were numbred of them by their families were two thousand seven hundred and fifty 37. These were they that were numbred of the families of the Kobathites all that might do service in the tabernacle of the congregation which Moses and Aaron did number according to the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses 38. And those that were numbred of the sons of Gershon throughout their families and by the house of their fathers 39. From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old every one that entreth in to the service for the work in the tabernacle of the congregation 40. Even those that were numbred of them throughout their families by the houses of their fathers were two thousand and six hundred and thirty 41. These are they that were numbred of the families of the sons of Gershon of all that might do service in the tabernacle of the congregation whom Moses and Aaron did number according to the commandment of the LORD 42. And those that were numbred of the families of the sons of Merari throughout their families by the house of their fathers 43. From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old every one that entreth into the service for the work in the tabernacle of the congregation 44. Even those that were numbred of them after their families were three thousand and two hundred 45. These be those that were numbred of the families of the sons of Merari whom Moses and Aaron numbred according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Moses 46. All those that were numbred of the Levites whom Moses and Aaron and the chief of Israel numbred after their families and after the house of their fathers 47. From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old every one that came to do the service of the ministery and the service of the burden in the tabernacle of the congregation 48. Even those that were numbred of them were eight thousand and five hundred and fourscore 49. According to the commandment of the LORD they were numbred by the hand of Moses every one according to his service and according to his burden thus were they numbred of him as the LORD commanded Moses 3. From thirty years old c. While the Tabernacle continued the Levites were admitted into their several Offices and Employments at several Ages They were not obliged to the most burdensome before the Age of thirty years nor after fifty And of this sort is the Employment mentioned here See v. 15 25 31. But there are other Offices belonging to the Levites besides the hearing of the Tabernacle for they were obliged to serve in it Numb 8.19 And to their attendance upon the Tabernacle they were admitted at the Age of Five and twenty years Numb 8.24 This reconciles this place with Numb 8.25 The Levites there are considered as admitted to serve which they might do at the Age of Twenty-five years Here they are considered with respect to their burden to which Employment they were not admitted till the Age of Thirty years The service and burden of the Levites are of a distinct consideration E. g. This is the service of the families of the Gershonites to serve and for burdens v. 24. Again From thirty years old and upwards even unto fifty years old every one that came to do the Service of the Ministery and the Service of the Burden v. 47. In the 8th of Numbers there is no mention of the Burden but of the Service of the Levites As the Levites were not at the same Age received into every Employment so they were not at the Age of Fifty years discharged from all attendance but were obliged to minister with their Brethren ch 8.21 26. All that enter c. i. e. All that are fit to enter upon this Ministery being of a just age and sufficient strength and not legally excluded ch 5.2.1.3 This Service was a spiritual Warfare and he that entred upon it is said to enter into the Host See v. 23. and 1 Tim. 1.18 2 Tim. 2.3 5. The covering veil The same which is called the veil Exod. 40.3 And the second veil Heb. 9.3 The Veil which did divide between the Holy place and the most Holy Exod. 26.31 32 33. The Covering of the door of the Tabernacle of the Congregation was the Charge of the Gershonites v. 25. 6. The covering of badger's skins Thus Covering was a peculiar Case or Cover made on purpose to defend the Ark from the injury of Weather Such a Case there was also for the Table of Shew-bread v. 8. and for the Candlestick v. 10. and for the Golden Altar v. 11. and the Altar of Burnt-offering v. 14. These seem to be meant by the Clothes of Service which are mention'd Exod. 31.10 presently after the Ark and Table and Candlestick the Altar of Incense and the Altar of Burnt-offering which are there reckoned up in the same Order in which we find them just before the mention of the Clothes of Service v. 10. Put in the staves i. e. Order and dispose the Staves as the Hebrew word elsewhere signifies Levit. 24.6 Gen. 28.11 Psal 50.23 that they might be so covered that yet the Ark may be born with them Exod. 25.14 Here is no mention in this place of putting them into the Rings which is by other words expressed Exod. 25.14 And it was Commanded that the Staves should be constantly in the Rings of the Ark Exod. 25.15 7. Table Exod. 25.30 Cover withall Heb. Pour out withall See the Notes on Exod. 25.29 9. Candlestick Exod. 25.31 And his Lamps Exod. 25.37 38. 10. A Bar For the better carrying of it there being no Rings and Staves belonging to the Candlestick 11. Staves See Exod. 30.5 12. Bar See v. 10. 13. Altar i. e. The Altar of Burnt-offering For of the Altar of Incense can was taken before v. 11. 14. Censers Or Tongs The Hebrew word denotes an Instrument that takes the Fire or Câ—â—â— Basons Or Bowls Staves See Exod. 27.7 15. To bear The Levites were generally obliged to bear the Ark and the other Holy things mentioned here See 1 Chron. 15.2 15. But this is not so to be understood as to exclude the Priest's from bearing the Aâ—k upon occasion which they did without being guilty of
to their necessity And so it was ordered afterward that the Sons of Kohâ—â—h had none of the Wagons because their share was to be taâ—â—â— on Shoulders v. 9. The Sons of Gershon had two Wagons allowed them they being the smallest number of all the Levites and having a greater Burden than the Kâ—â—â—thites But to the Sons of Merari who had charge of the far greatest Burden four Wagons are given 8. Ithamar See ch 4.33 9. Shoulders Ch. 4.6 8 10 11 12 14. with 2 Sam. 6.7 2 Chron. 15.13 10. Dedicating Things are then said to be dedicated when they are first applyed to their right end and use And such Dedications have in things of great moment been accompanied with solemn expressions of Joy and Devotion â— Chron. 7.5 7. Ezra 6.16 17. 2 Macoab 4.54 56. Joh. 10.22 In the day See v. 1. 12. Nahshon He offered first being of the Tribe of Judah which held the principal place among the Tribes and had the first Standard ch 2.3 The rest are reckoned up according to the order of their Encamping about the Sanctuary ch 2. Though Nahshon offered first and might upon that account be envyed and was the more conspicuous for the place he held yet is he so far from being upon that account magnified in this Holy Writ that he is the onely person among these Offerers who is not called here Prince of his Tribe 13. Meat-offering Levit. 2.1 16. Sin-offering Levit. 4.23 19. He offered See Envy and Ill-will Vain-boasting and Contempt of each other are very incident to Men of equal Authority and Place when they are to represent their several Tribes and Families and express their Munificence For the preventing of which and of any occasion thereof we have an intimation of these following Remedies I. The Order in which they were to offer was provided for by the placing them about the Sanctuary by Divine Appointment ch 2. II. Some of their Gifts were presented together viz. the Wagons and Oxen v. 3 6. III. Their Gifts were all equal IV. There is a particular recital of the things which every Prince offered at large V. The First-offerer who was most likely to be envyed is not called a Prince See v. 12. 84. In the day See the Notes on v. 1. compared with v. 88. 89. Into the tabernacle At least into the Holy Place and then he heard the voice thither from the Most Holy Him That is God CHAP. VIII The ARGUMENT Of lighting the lamps in the Holy Place The manner of Consecrating the Levites They are taken in lieu of the First-born and given to the Priests Of the Age and time of the Levites Service 1. AND the LORD spake unto Moses saying 2. Speak unto Aaron and say unto him When thou lightest the lamps the seven lamps shall give light over against the candlestick 3. And Aaron did so he lighted the lamps thereof over against the candlestick as the LORD commanded Moses 4. And this work of the candlestick was of beaten gold unto the shaft thereof unto the flowers thereof was heaten work according unto the pattern which the LORD had shewed Moses so he made the candlestick 5. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 6. Take the Levites from among the children of Israel and cleanse them 7. And thus shalt thou do unto them to cleanse them Sprinkle water of purifying upon them and let them shave all their flesh and let them wash their clothes and so make themselves clean 8. Then let them take a young bullock with his meat-offering even fine flour mingled with oyl and another young bullock shalt thou take for a sin-offering 9. And thou shalt bring the Levites before the tabernacle of the congregation and thou shalt gather the whole assembly of the children of Israel together 10. And thou shalt bring the Levites before the LORD and the children of Israel shall put their hands upon the Levites 11. And Aaron shall offer the Levites before the LORD for an offering of the children of Israel that they may execute the service of the LORD 12. And the Levites shall lay their hands upon the â—eads of the bullocks and thou shalt offer the one for a sin-offering and the other for a burnt-offering unto the LORD to make an atonement for the Levites 13. And thou shalt set the Levites before Aaron and before his sons and offer them for an offering unto the LORD 14. Thus shalt thou separate the Levites from among the children of Israel and the Levites shall be mine 15. And after that shall the Levites go in to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation and thou shall cleanse them and offer them for an offering 16. For they are wholly given unto me from among the children of Israel instead of such as open every womb even in stead of the first-born of all the children of Israel have I â—aâ—en them unto me 17. For all the first-born of the children of Israel are mine both 〈◊〉 and beast on the day that I smote every first-born in the land of Egypt I sanctified them for my self 18. And I have taken the Levites for all the first-born of the children of Israel 19. And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and to his sons from among the children of Israel to do the service of the children of Israel in the tabernacle of the congregation and to make an atonement for the children of Israel that there be no plague among the children of Israel when the children of Israel come nigh unto the sanctuary 20. And Moses and Aaron and all the congregation of the children of Israel did to the Levites according unto all that the LORD commanded Moses concerning the Levites so did the children of Israel unto them 21. And the Levites were purified and they washed their clothes and Aaron offered them as an offering before the LORD and Aaron made at atonement for them to cleanse them 22. And after that went the Levites in to do their service in the tabernacle of the congregation before Aaron and before his sons as the LORD had commanded Moses concerning the Levites so did they unto them 23. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 24. This is it that belongeth unto the Levites from twenty and five years old and upward they shall go in to wait upon the service of the tabernacle of the congregation 25. And from the age of fifty years they shall cease waiting upon the service thereof and shall serve â—â— more 26. But shall minister with their brethren in the tabernacle of the congregation to keep the charge and shall do no service Thus shalt thou do unto the Levites touching their charge 2. When thou lightest c. Exod. 25.37 and 40.25 The Hebrew word implies lifting up which consists very well with our rendring this lifting up being in order to lighting 3. Over against the candlestick Heb. Over against the face of the candlestick i. e. To the other side of the Sanctuary
which had no Windows where the Table of Shew-bread stood See Exod. 25.37 and the Vulgar Latin in this place 4. And this work c. See Exod. 25.31 Beaten work See Exod. 25.18 6. Levites i. e. The remainder of the Tribe beside the Priests 7. Water of purifying i. e. The Water made with the Ashes of a Red Heifer of which see ch 19. Let them shave c. Heb. Let them cause a rasor to pass over See Levit. 14.8 9. Numb 6.9 8. A young bullock viz. for a burnt-offering v. 12. which though first named here was to be offered in the second place His meat-offering See Numb 28.12 10. Put their hands As the Offerer was wont to do by his Sacrifice so the Representatives of the Israelites at least are required thus to dedicate the Levites in lieu of their First-born 11. Offer Heb. Wave Offering Heb. Wave-offering The Latin renders it Gift Eph. 4.8 11. They may execute c. Heb. They may be to execute 14. Mine Chap. 3.45 17. For all the first-born Exod. 13.2 ch 3.13 Luk. 2.23 19. A gift Heb. Given The Levites were subject to the Priests and were to minister to them in the service of the Sanctuary To make an atonement Not to offer Sacrifices which was the Office of the Priests but to make an Atonement as they ministred to the Priests who did it and as in the People's room and stead they worshipped God according to his own direction and by that means kept off from the People the tokens of God's Anger and Displeasure due to the Despisers and Profaners of his Worship 24. From twenty and five years See the Notes on chap. 4.3 To wait Heb. To war the warfare 25. Cease waiting upon the service Heb. Return from the warfare of the service CHAP. IX The ARGUMENT The Law of the Passeover repeated A Second Passeover allowed for the Vnclean or the Absent The Cloud attends upon the Tabernacle and guides the Israelites in their Removings 1. AND the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai in the first month of the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt saying 2. Let the children of Israel also keep the passeover at his appointed season 3. In the fourteenth day of this month at even ye shall keep it in his appointed season according to all the rites of it and according to all the ceremonies thereof shall ye keep it 4. And Moses spake unto the children of Israel that they should keep the passeover 5. And they kept the passeover on the fourteenth day of the first month at even in the wilderness of Sinai according to all that the LORD commanded Moses so did the children of Israel 6. And there were certain men who were defiled by the dead body of a man that they could not keep the passeover on that day and they came before Moses and before Aaron on that day 7. And those men said unto him We are defiled by the dead body of a man wherefore are we kept back that we may not offer an offering of the LORD in his appointed season among the children of Israel 8. And Moses said unto them Stand still and I will hear what the LORD will command concerning you 9. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 10. Speak unto the children of Israel saying If any man of you or of your posterity shall be unclean by reason of a dead body or be in a journey afar off yet he shall keep the passeover unto the LORD 11. The fourteenth day of the second month at even they shall keep it and eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs 12. They shall leave none of it unto the morning nor break any bone of it according to all the ordinances of the passeover they shall keep it 13. But the man that is clean and is not in a journey and forbeareth to keep the passeover even the sâ—â—e soul shall be cut off from his people because he brought not the offering of the LORD in his appointed season that man shall bear his sin 14. And if a stranger shall sojourn among you and will keep the passeover unto the LORD according to the ordinance of the passeover and according to the manner thereof so shall he do ye shall have one ordinance both for the stranger and for him that was born in the land 15. And on the day that the tabernacle was reared up the cloud covered the tabernacle namely the tent of the testimony and at even there was upon the tabernacle as it were the appearance of fire untill the morning 16. So it was alway the cloud covered it by day and the appearance of fire by night 17. And when the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle then after that the children of Israel journeyed and in the place where the cloud abode there the children of Israel pitched their tents 18. At the commandment of the LORD the children of Israel journeyed and at the commandment of the LORD they pitched as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they rested in the tents 19. And when the cloud tarried long upon the tabernacle many days then the children of Israel kept the charge of the LORD and journeyed not 20. And so it was when the cloud was a few days upon the tabernacle according to the commandment of the LORD they abode in their tents and according to the commandment of the LORD they journeyed 21. And so it was when the cloud abode from even unto the morning and that the cloud was taken up in the morning then they journeyed whether it was by day or by night that the cloud was taken up they journeyed 22. Or whether it were two days or a month or a year that the cloud tarried upon the tabernacle remaining thereon the children of Israel abode in their tents and journeyed not but when it was taken up they journeyed 23. At the commandment of the LORD they rested in the tents and at the commandment of the LORD they journeyed they kept the charge of the LORD at the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses 1. IN the first month viz. When the Passeover was to be kept Exod. 12.2 3. This was before the numbring of the People See ch 1.1 2. Keep Exod. 12.1 Levit. 23.5 ch 28.16 Deut. 16.2 This is a special command to the Israelites For the Passeover was annexed to the Land of Canaan in its first Institution Exod. 12.25 Nor do we find that it was at any time beside this kept in the Wilderness or that they were any farther obliged to it in the Wilderness where they might not be provided with Lâ—â—be and where they continued in their Uncircumcision Exod. 12.48 with Josh 5.5 3. At even Heb. Between the two evenings According to all the rites c. i. e. According to all the Rites c. which were standing and perpetual and not peculiar to the Passeover of Egypt See Exod. 12.43 c. 6. Who were
defiled by the dead c. Such as these might not keep the Passeover not because it was so provided at the first Institution of it but by some other Laws which were made afterward by which they were forbidden the use of Holy Things and coming into the Sanctuary during their Uncleanness Levit. 1.20 chap. 22.3 Numb 5.2 and ch 19.11 They came before Moses c. Though there were a Law made which excluded him that was defiled by the Dead from the Camp chap. 5.2 yet was not this Law made till afterwards Compare ch 1.1 with ch 9.1 Nor was such a person excluded from the Leviâ—â— Camp where Moses and Aaron were but from the Sanctuary onely See the Notes on ch 5.2 7. An offering of the LORD i◠〈◊〉 Oblation or Gift â—â—â—scribed by him and dedicated to his Honour For so the Hebrew word Corban here used signifies sometime and not that which was offered upon the Altar Mark 7.11 10. Shall be unclean by reason of a dead body Tho' this Uncleanness be onely named yet from what hath been said on v. 6. it is credible That other Uncleanness of as great a degree as this did also put a barr to the Celebration of the Passeover Afar off i. e. So far off as that he could not be present at the place which the Lord should choose 12. Nor break Exod. 12.46 Joh. 10.36 To all the ordinances c. i. e. All the standing Ordinances for there were some peculiar to the first Passeover in Egypt viz. The taking up the Lamb on the tenth day Exod. 12.3 striking the Blood on the two Side-posts and on the upper Door-post ch 12.7 with Loins girded and Shooes on their Feet c. v. 11. Such as were 1. The keeping it in the Evening v. 11. with Exod. 12.6 2. With unleavened Bread and bitter Herbs v. 11. with Exod. 12.8 3. The leaving none of it to the morning v. 12. with Exod. 12.8 4. Not breaking a Bone of it v. 12. with Exod. 12.46 5. The same Law for the Stranger and Native v. 14. with Exod. 12.49 14. Ye shall haâ—e one Ordinance c. Exod. 12.49 15. On the day Exod. 40.34 The tent of the testimony i. e. The Holy of â—olies where the Law or Testimony was lodged 18. At the Commandment of the LORD The Cloud was the sign of God's Will Psal 105.39 As long 1 Cor. 10.1 19. Tarried long Heb. prolonged Kept the charge of the LORD i. e. They followed the direction which God gave them by the Cloud and continued in their Camp round about the Tabernacle and journeyed not 21. Abode Heb. Was. 22. Abode in their tents Exod. 40.36 37. 23. By the hand of Moses That is by the Ministery of Moses who was their Law-giver and Directer under God CHAP. X. The ARGUMENT Of the two Silver Trumpets and of their Vse The Israelites remove from the Wilderness of Sinai to that of Paran The Order of their March Moses desires Hobab not to depart What Moses said at the Removing and Resting of the Ark. 1. AND the LORD spake unto Moses saying 2. Make thee two trumpets of silver of an whole piece shalt thou make them that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly and for the journeying of the camps 3. And when they shall blow with them all the assembly shall assemble themselves to thee at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation 4. And if they blow but with one trumpet then the princes which are heads of the thousands of Israel shall gather themselves unto thee 5. When ye blow an alarm then the camps that lie on the east-parts shall go forward 6. When ye blow an alarm the second time then the camps that lie on the south-side shall take their journey they shall blow an alarm for their journeys 7. But when the congregation is to be gathered together you shall blow but you shall not sound an alarm 8. And the sons of Aaron the priests shall blow with the trumpets and they shall be to you for an ordinance for ever throughout your generations 9. And if you go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets and ye shall be remembred before the LORD your God and ye shall be saved from your enemies 10. Also in the day of your gladness and in your solemn days and in the beginnings of your months ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt-offerings and over the sacrifices of your peace-offerings that they may be to you for a memorial before your God I am the LORD your God 11. And it came to pass on the twentieth day of the second month in the second year that the cloud was taken up from off the tabernacle of the testimony 12. And the children of Israel took their journeys out of the wilderness of Sinai and the cloud rested in the wilderness of Paran 13. And they first took their journey according to the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses 14. In the first place went the standard of the camp of the children of Judah according to their armies and over his host was Nahshon the son of Amminadab 15. And over the host of the tribe of the children of Issachar was Nethaneel the son of Zuar 16. And over the host of the tribe of the children of Zebulun was Eliab the son of Helon 17. And the tabernacle was taken down and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari set forward bearing the tabernacle 18. And the standard of the camp of Reuben set forward according to their armies and over his host was Elizur the son of Shedeur 19. And over the host of the tribe of the children of Simeon was Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai 20. And over the host of the tribe of the children of God was Eliosaph the son of Deuel 21. And the Kohathites set forward bearing the sanctuary and the other did set up the tabernacle against they came 22. And the standard of the camp of the children of Ephraim set forward according to their armies and over his host was Elishama the son of Ammihud 23. And over the host of the tribe of the children of Manasseh was Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur 24. And over the host of the tribe of the children of Benjamin was Abidan the son of Gideoni 25. And the standard of the camp of the children of Dan set forward which was the rere-word of all the camps throughout their hosts and over his host was Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai 26. And over the host of the tribe of the children of Asher was Pagiel the son of Ocran 27. And over the host of the tribe of the children of Nephtali was Ahira the son of Enan 28. Thus were the journeyings of the children of Israel according to their armies when they set forward 29. And Moses said unto Hobab the son of Raguel the Midianite Moses's father-in-law We are journeying
their fathers shall ye send a man every one a ruler among them 3. And Moses by the commandment of the LORD sent them from the wilderness of Paran all those men were heads of the children of Israel 4. And these were their names Of the tribe of Reuben Shammua the son of Zaccur 5. Of the tribe of Simeon Shaphat the son of Hori 6. Of the tribe of Judah Caleb the son of Jephunneh 7. Of the tribe of Issachar Igal the son of Joseph 8. Of the tribe of Ephraim Oshea the son of Nuâ— 9. Of the tribe of Benjamin Palti the son of Râ—â—â—â—â— 10. Of the tribe of Zebâ—lâ—â— Gaddiel the son of Sâ—di 11. Of the tribe of Joseph namely of the tribe of Manasseh Gaddi the son of Susi 12. Of the tribe of Dan Ammiel the son of Gemalli 13. Of the tribe of Asher Sethur the son of Michael 14. Of the tribe of Naphtali Nahbi the son of Vophsi 15. Of the tribe of Gad Gâ—nel the son of Machi 16. These are the names of the men which Moses sent to spy out the land And Moses called Oshea the son of Nun Jehoshua 17. And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan and said unto them Get you up this way south-ward and go up into the mountain 18. And see the land what it is and the people that dwelleth therein whether they be strong or weak fâ—â— or many 19. And what the land is that they dwell in whether it be good or bad and what cities they be that they dwell in whether in tents or in strong hold 20. And what the land is whether it be fat or lean whether there be wood therein or not And be ye of good courage and bring of the fruit of the land now the time was the time of the first ripe grapes 21. So they went up and searched the land from the wilderness of Zâ—â— unto Rehob as men come to Hâ—math 22. And they ascended by the sâ—â—â—h and came unto Hebron where Ahiman Sheshai and Talâ—â—â— the children of Anak were now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt 23. And they came unto the brook of Eshcol and cut down from tâ—â—â—te a branch with one cluster of grapes and they bâ—re it between two upon a staff and they brought of the pomegranates and of the figs. 24. The place was called the brook Eshcol because of the cluster of grapes which the children of Israel cut down from thence 25. And they returned from searching of the land after forty days 26. And they went and came to Moses and to Aaron and to all the congregation of the children of Israel unto the wilderness of Paran to Kadesh and brought back word unto them and unto all the congregation and shewed them the fruit of the land 27. And they told him and said We came unto the land whither thou sentest us and surely it floweth with milk and honey and this is the fruit of it 28. Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land and the cities are walled and very great and moreover we saw the children of Anak there 29. The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south and the Hittites and the Jebusites and the Amorites dwell in the mountains and the Canaanites dwell by the sea and by the coast of Jordan 30. And Caleb stilled the people before Moses and said Let us go up at once and possess it for we are well able to overcome it 31. But the men that went up with him said We be not able to go up against the people for they are stronger then we 32. And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel saying The land through which we have gone to search it is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature 33. And there we saw the giants the sons of Anak which come of the giants and we were in our own sight as grashoppers and so we were in their sight 2. Send thou c. God gave this Command upon the People's request as appears from Deut. 1.22 3. Heads Called Rulers v. 2. They were Men of Authority among their Tribes Exod. 18.21 16. Jehoshua Or as the Seventy and Josephus and the New Testament call him Jesus i. e. a Saviour he being appointed to save the People and bring them into the possession of the promised Land and therein was a Type of our Blessed Saviour 17. Moses sent them c. He did it by God's direction v. 2. and after the People had desired it Deut. 1.22 and not for his own satisfaction or out of any distrust of God's Veracity South-ward i. e. Into the South part of the Land of Canaan the most dry and barren part of it Joshua 14.1.3 with Judg. 1.15 and Psal 126.4 Into the mountain Or Mountainous Region See also ch 14.40 45. 20. Be ye of good courage It required some Courage to bring away openly some of the Fruit of the Land especially at that time it was more hazardous to bear away a Branch with a Cluster of the Grapes and carry it openly between tâ—â—â— Men it being the time of the first ripe Grapes when they were generally more watchfull of them 21. Of Zin unto Rehob That is to say from the South to the most Northern part of the Land where Rehob was situate something toward the West Hâ—math Situate in the North toward the West 22. Hebron A City which was in the South part of the Country and which fell to the Tribe of Judah Anak He was the Son of Arba who gave denomination to Hebron for it was called the City of Arba Jos 15.13 Gen. 23.2 Zoan A principal City of the Egyptians who vaunted of their great Antiquity Isa 13.11 23. And they came Deut. 1.24 Brook Or Valley and so v. 24. 24. Eshool That is A Cluster of Grapes 27. Milk c. Exod. 33.3 28. The people be strong c. The ten Spies discourage thâ— People in these and the following words and bewray great distrust of God and the People soon imitate them as appears from v. 31. 32. Eateth up the Inhabitants Hâ—â— they contradict themselves Compare v. 28. and v. 33. Men of great stature Heb. Men of statures CHAP. XIV The ARGUMENT The People murmur at the Report which the Spies made of the Land of Canaan Joshua and Caleb endeavour to quiet them God threatens to smite them with a Pestilence and disinherit them Moses intercedes with God for them God's Answer to Moses The People are smitten by the Amalekites and Canaanites 1. AND all the congregation lifted up their voice and cried and the people wept that night 2. And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron and the whole congregation said unto them Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt or would God that we had died in this wilderness 3.
And wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this land to fall by the sword that our wives and our children should be a prey were it not better for us to return into Egypt 4. And they said one to another Let us make a captain and let us return into Egypt 5. Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel 6. And Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh which were of them that searched the land rent their clothes 7. And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel saying The land which we passed through to search it is an exceeding good land 8. If the LORD delight in us then he will bring us into this land and give it us a land which floweth with milk and honey 9. Onely rebell not ye against the LORD neither fear ye the people of the land for they are bread for us their defence is departed from them and the LORD is with us fear them not 10. But all the congregation bade stone them with stones and the glory of the LORD appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel 11. And the LORD said unto Moses How long will this people provoke me and how long will it be ere they believe me for all the signs which I have shewed among them 12. I will smite them with the pestilence and disinherit them and will make of thee a greater nation and mightier then they 13. And Moses said unto the LORD Then the Egyptians shall bear it for thou broughtest up this people in thy might from among them 14. And they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land for they have heard that thou LORD art among this people that thou LORD art seen face to face and that thy cloud standeth over them and that thou goâ—st before them by day-time in a pillar of a cloud and in a pillar of fire by night 15. Now if thou shalt kill all this people as one man then the nations which have heard the fame of thee will speak saying 16. Because the LORD was not able to bring this people into the land which he sware unto them therefore he hath slain them in the wilderness 17. And now I beseech thee let the power of my Lord be great according as thou hast spoken saying 18. The LORD is long-suffering and of great mercy forgiving iniquity and transgression and by no means clearing the guilty visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation 19. Pardon I beseech thee the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of thy mercy and as thou hast forgiven this people from Egypt even until now 20. And the LORD said I have pardoned according to thy word 21. But as truly as I live all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD 22. Because all those men which have seen my glory and my miracles which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness and have tempted me now these ten times and have not hearkened to my voice 23. Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers neither shall any of them that provoked me see it 24. But my servant Caleb because he had another spirit with him and hath followed me fully him will I bring into the land whereinto he went and his seed shall possess it 25. Now the Amalekites and the Canaanites dwelt in the valley To morrow turn you and get you into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea 26. And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron saying 27. How long shall I bear with this evil congregation which murmur against me I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel which they murmur against me 28. Say unto them As truly as I live saith the LORD as ye have spoken in mine ears so will I do to you 29. Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness and all that were numbred of you according to your whole number from twenty years old and upward which have murmured against me 30. Doubtless ye shall not come into the land concerning which I sware to make you dwell therein save Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun. 31. But your little ones which ye said should be a prey them will I bring in and they shall know the land which ye have despised 32. But as for you your carcases they shall fall in this wilderness 33. And your children shall wander in the wilderness forty years and bear your whoredoms until your carcases be wasted in the wilderness 34. After the number of the days in which ye searched the land even forty days each day for a year shall ye bear your iniquities even forty years and ye shall know my breach of promise 35. I the LORD have said I will surely do it unto all this evil congregation that are gathered together against me in this wilderness they shall be consumed and there they shall die 36. And the men which Moses sent to search the land who returned and made all the congregation to murmur against him by bringing up a slander upon the land 37. Even those men that did bring up the evil report upon the land died by the plague before the LORD 38. But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh which were of the men that went to search the land lived still 39. And Moses told these sayings unto all the children of Israel and the people mourned greatly 40. And they rose up early in the morning and gat them up into the top of the mountain saying Lo we be here and will go up unto the place which the LORD hath promised for we have sinned 41. And Moses said Wherefore now do you transgress the commandment of the LORD but it shall not prosper 42. Go not up for the LORD is not among you that ye be not smitten before your enemies 43. For the Amalekites and the Canaanites are there before you and ye shall fall by the sword because ye are turned away from the LORD therefore the LORD will not be with you 44. But they presumed to go up unto the hill-top nevertheless the ark of the covenant of the LORD and Moses departed not out of the camp 45. Then the Amalekites came down and the Canaanites which dwelt in that hill and smote them and discomfited them even unto Hormah 2. Died in this wilderness This which they foolishly wish for happens to them v. 28 29. 4. Let us return into Egypt This was a great height of Wickedness for God had delivered them from Egypt by a miraculous manner and followed them ever since with miracles of Mercy This purpose of their Return speaks great Insolence Ingratitude and Contempt of God Nehemiah 9.16 17. Deut. 17.16 5. Fell on their faces Either to pray to God on their behalf or to prevail
one bullock or for one ram or for a lamb or a kid 12. According to the number that ye shall prepare so shall ye do to every one according to their number 13. All that are born of the country shall do these things after this manner in offering an offering made by fire of a sweet savour unto the LORD 14. And if a stranger sojourn with you or whosoever be among you in your generations and will offer an offering made by fire of a sweet savour unto the LORD as ye do so he shall do 15. One ordinance shall be both for you of the congregation and also for the stranger that sojourneth with you an ordinance for ever in your generations as ye are so shall the stranger be before the LORD 16. One law and one manner shall be for you and for the stranger that sojourneth with you 17. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 18. Speak unto the children of Israel and say unto them When ye come into the land whither I bring you 19. Then it shall be that when ye eat of the bread of the land ye shall offer up an heave-offering unto the LORD 20. Ye shall offer up a cake of the first of your dough for an heave-offering as ye do the heave-offering of the threshing-floor so shall ye heave it 21. Of the first of your dough ye shall give unto the LORD an heave-offering in your generations 22. And if ye have erred and not observed all these commandments which the LORD hath spoken unto Moses 23. Even all that the LORD hath commanded you by the hand of Moses from the day that the LORD commanded Moses and hence-forward among your generations 24. Then it shall be if ought be committed by ignorance without the knowledge of the congregation that all the congregation shall offer one young bullock for a burnt-offering for a sweet savour unto the LORD with his meat-offering and his drink-offering according to the manner and one kid of the goats for a sin-offering 25. And the priest shall make an atonement for all the congregation of the children of Israel and it shall be forgiven them for it is ignorance and they shall bring their offering a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD and their sin-offering before the LORD for their ignorance 26. And it shall be forgiven all the congregation of the children of Israel and the stranger that sojourneth among them seeing all the people were in ignorance 27. And if any soul sin through ignorance then he shall bring a she-goat of the first year for a sin-offering 28. And the priest shall make an atonement for the soul that sinneth ignorantly when he sinneth by ignorance before the LORD to make an atonement for him and it shall be forgiven him 29. You shall have one law for him that sinneth through ignorance both for him that is born amongst the children of Israel and for the stranger that sojourneth among them 30. But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously whether he be born in the land or a stranger the same reproacheth the LORD and that soul shall be cut off from among his people 31. Because he hath despised the word of the LORD and hath broken his commandment that soul shall utterly be cut off his iniquity shall be upon him 32. And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath-day 33. And they that found him gathering sticks brought him unto Moses and Aaron and unto all the congregation 34. And they put him in ward because it was not declared what should be done to him 35. And the LORD said unto Moses The man shall be surely put to death all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp 36. And all the congregation brought him without the camp and stoned him with stones and he died as the LORD commanded Moses 37. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 38. Speak unto the children of Israel and hid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue 39. And it shall be unto you for a fringe that ye may look upon it and remember all the commandments of the LORD and do them and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes after which ye use to go a whoring 40. That ye may remember and do all my commandments and be holy unto your God 41. I am the LORD your God which brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God I am the LORD your God 2. Speak Levit. 23.10 When ye be come c. In these words they are given to understand that God would make good his Promise of giving the Land to their Children ch 14.31 notwithstanding their Diffidence and Murmurings for which they were sentenced to die in the Wilderness ch 14.29 3. An offering by fire This is a general expression of those Offerings which were in whole or part burnt upon the Altar A burnt-offering or a sacrifice These two are the kinds of Offerings by Fire to which the following Precept belongs This Precept which follows concerned the daily Burnt-offering as well as others Exod. 29.40 By Sacrifice here is meant a Peace-offering So the word Sacrifice does sometimes import v. g. Exod. 18.12 Levit. 17.5 8. ch 22.37 Deut. 12.27 And that it does so here is evident from the words which follow where we have mention of a Vow and Free-will-offering which are two of the distinct kinds contained under the general Head of Peace-offerings Levit. 7.16 ch 22.21 In performing Heb. In separating Levit. 22.21 Sweet Savour Exod. 29.18 4. Shall he Levit 2.1 A tenth-deal i. e. The tenth part of an Ephah as the Vulgar Latin and Greek have it here and is expressly said Numb 28.5 This tenth-deal of an Ephah is the same with an Omer See the Note on Exod. 16.36 An Hin This is a Measure of Liquids containing about the quantity of our Gallon 8. Or for a sacrifice See the Note on v. 3. Peace-offerings i. e. The one kind thereof called a Free-will-offering v. 3. 15. One ordinance Exod. 12.49 chap. 9.14 Before the LORD i. e. In matters relating to God's Service which are here spoken of 20. A cake of the first of your dough This Cake was not to be offered upon the Altar but to be given to the Priests to whom all Heave-offerings as well as the First-fruits were due ch 18.8 The giving it to them was giving it to the Lord v. 19 21. As ye do See Levit. 2.14 22. And not observed c. See Levit 4.13 That place speaks of doing that which ought not to be done This of not doing what ought to be done 24. Committed Or admitted For the word does not import this a Sin of Commission and from the Context it appears that a Sin of Omission is here spoken of Without the knowledge
Heb. From the eyes Manner Or Ordinance 27. If any soul i. e. If any private person Or any one of the common people as it is expressed Levit 4.27 29. Sinneth Heb. Doeth 30. Presumptuously Heb. With an high hand i. e. Wilfully and designedly and not through ignorance and inadvertence 31. Broken Not onely broken but disanulled and made void by Contemning that Authority upon which the Commandment stands His iniquity i. e. The punishment due upon account of his Sin 32. Gathered sticks Not onely gathered but bound them up together as the Hebrew word may well signifie Exod. 5.7 34. In ward Levit 24.12 It was not declared c. They knew that he who defiled the Sabbath was obnoxious to Death Exod. 31.14 ch 35.2 But the kind of death they were not taught and might be also at a loss whether what this Man did was such a work as was forbid and such as might be esteemed a defiling the Sabbath 38. Bid them Deut. 22.12 Matt. 23.5 39. A whoring This may be understood of Idolatry which is spiritual Whoredom CHAP. XVI The ARGUMENT The Rebellion of Korah Dathan and Abiram The Israelites separate from their Tents The Earth swallows up Korah and those that belonged to him A Fire from Heaven consumes them that offered Incense The Censers are made into Plates The People murmur A Plague is sent among them Aaron makes Atonement for the People 1. NOW Korah the son of Izhar the son of Kohath the son of Levi and Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab and On the son of Peleth sons of Reuben took men 2. And they rose up before Moses with certain of the children of Israel two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly famous in the congregation men of renown 3. And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron and said unto them Ye take too much upon you seeing all the congregation are holy every one of them and the LORD is among them wherefore then lift you up your selves above the congregation of the LORD 4. And when Moses heard it he fell upon his face 5. And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company saying Even to morrow the LORD will shew who are his and who is holy and will cause him to come near unto him even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him 6. This do Take you censers Korah and all his company 7. And put fire therein and put incense in them before the LORD to morrow and it shall be that the man whom the LORD doth choose he shall be holy ye take too much upon you ye sons of Levi. 8. And Moses said unto Korah Hear I pray you ye sons of Levi 9. Seemeth it but a small thing unto you that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them 10. And he hath brought thee near to him and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee and seek ye the priesthood also 11. For which cause both thou and all thy company are gathered together against the LORD and what is Aaron that ye murmur against him 12. And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab which said We will not come up 13. Is it a small thing that thou hast brought us up out of a land that floweth with milk and honey to kill us in the wilderness except thou make thy self altogether a prince over us 14. Moreover thou hast not brought us into a land that floweth with milk and honey or given us inheritance of fields and vineyards wilt thou put out the eyes of these men we will not come up 15. And Moses was very wroth and said unto the LORD Respect not thou their offering I have not taken one ass from them neither have I hurt one of them 16. And Moses said unto Korah Be thou and all thy company before the LORD thou and they and Aaron to morrow 17. And take every man his censer and put incense in them and bring ye before the LORD every man his censor two hundred and fifty censers thou also and Aaron each of you his censer 18. And they took every man his censer and put fire in them and laid incense thereon and stood in the door of the tabernacle of the congregation with Moses and Aaron 19. And Korah gathered all the congregation against them unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the congregation 20. And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron saying 21. Separate your selves from among this congregation that I may consume them in a moment 22. And they fell upon their faces and said O God the God of the spirits of all flesh shall one man sin and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation 23. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 24. Speak unto the congregation saying Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah Dathan and Abiram 25. And Moses rose up and went unto Dathan and Abiram and the elders of Israel followed him 26. And he spake unto the congregation saying Depart I pray you from the tents of these wicked men and touch nothing of theirs lest ye be consumed in all their sins 27. So they gat up from the tabernacle of Korah Dathan and Abiram on every side and Dathan and Abiram came out and stood in the door of their tents and their wives and their sons and their little children 28. And Moses said Hereby ye shall know that the LORD hath sent me to do all these works for I have not done them of mine own mind 29. If these men die the common death of all men or if they be visited after the visitation of all men then the LORD hath not sent me 30. But if the LORD make a new thing and the earth open her mouth and swallow them up with all that appertain unto them and they go down quick into the pit then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD 31. And it came to pass as he had made an end of speaking all these words that the ground clave asunder that was under them 32. And the earth opened her mouth and swallowed them up and their houses and all the men that appertained unto Korah and all their goods 33. They and all that appertained to them went down alive into the pit and the earth closed upon them and they perished from among the congregation 34. And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them for they said Lest the earth swallow us up also 35. And there came out a fire from the LORD and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense 36. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 37. Speak unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest that he
take up the censers out of the burning and scatter thou the fire yonder for they are hallowed 38. The censers of these sinners against their own souls let them make them broad plates for a covering of the altar for they offered them before the LORD therefore they are hallowed and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel 39. And Eleazar the priest took the brasen censers wherewith they that were burnt had offered and they were made broad plates for a covering of the altar 40. To be a memorial unto the children of Israel that no stranger which is not of the seed of Aaron come near to offer incense before the LORD that he be not as Korah and as his company as the LORD said to him by the hand of Moses 41. But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron saying Ye have killed the people of the LORD 42. And it came to pass when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation and behold the cloud covered it and the glory of the LORD appeared 43. And Moses and Aaron came before the tabernacle of the congregation 44. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 45. Get you up from among this congregation that I may consume them as in a moment and they fell upon their faces 46. And Moses said unto Aaron Take a censer and put fire therein from off the altar and put on incense and go quickly unto the congregation and make an atonement for them for there is wrath gone out from the LORD the plague is begun 47. And Aaron took as Moses commanded and ran into the midst of the congregation and behold the plague was begun among the people and he put on incense and made an atonement for the people 48. And he stood between the dead and the living and the plague was stayed 49. Now they that died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred beside them that died about the matter of Korah 50. And Aaron returned unto Moses unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation and the plague was stayed 1. KOrah Chap. 27.3 Ecclus. 45.18 Jude 11. This Korah was Cousin-German to Moses and Aaron Exod. 6.18 20 21. And thought himself fit to be their Equal Again Elzaphan the Son of Vzziel who was younger Brother to Izhar Exod. 6.18 21 22. was appointed Chief of the House of the Father of the Families of the Kohathites Numb 3.30 which might occasion some discontent to Korah Reuben He was the First-born of Israel but for his Sin was deprived of his Birth-right Gen. 49.3 4. and the Priviledges thereof 1 Chron. 5.1 2. which his Posterity seditiously would usurp They and Korah Confederate together Besides their pretences they had the easier opportunity of associating from their being placed by each other on the South-side of the Camp ch 2. Took men viz. The Two hundred and fifty mentioned v. 2. 2. Princes Exod. 18.25 Numb 1.16 Famous Ch. 26.9 3. Ye take too much upon you Heb. It is much for you i. e. Let it suffice that ye have hitherto exalted your selves See Deut. 3.26 4. He fell upon his face See the Note on ch 14.5 5. Who are his i. e. Who are chosen by him to govern and minister in holy things And will cause c. That is he will some way or other justifie the Vocation of them to their eminent and separate Offices 6. This do This Command Moses gives by God's special direction 7. Before the LORD That is in the Sanctuary where God was more especially present 9. To minister unto them That is to minister in their room and stead 10. The priesthood This was an higher Order above that of the Levites and by God conferred upon Aaron and his Sons 11. Against the LORD They might well be said to gather together against the Lord when they did it against those whom God had appointed 1 Sam. 8.7 Luk. 10.16 12. Moses sent to call Dathan c. He summoned them to come to him by which means they might have been taken off from persisting in their Sedition by his perswasions had they hearkened to him 14. Put out Heb. Bore out 15. Respect not c. Gen. 4.4 19. The glory of the LORD See the Note on ch 14.10 22. They fell See v. 4. One man Korah who was the Principal who seduced others into this Rebellion See v. 1 5 8 16 19. 25. Went unto Dathan c. Who refused to come to him v. 12 14. 26. Touch nothing of theirs Because it is devoted to destruction Josh 7.11 27. Came out and stood This seems to intimate their defiance of Moses and his Power 1 Sam. 17.8 16. 28. All these works viz. The appointing Aaron to be Priest and the Levites to minister and his undertaking the Government and appointing Korah and his Company to take Censers v. 6. 29. The common death Heb. As every man dieth 30. Make a new thing Heb. Create a creature 31. And it came to pass Chap. 27.3 Deut. 11.6 Psal 106.17 32. And all the men i. e. All those who continued with him at this time and were of his Confederacy which no way contradicts what is said ch 26.11 The children of Korah died not 35. A fire from the LORD See Levit 10.1 2. 37. Vnto Eleazar These evil Men attempted to deprive Aaron's Posterity of the Priesthood and therefore Eleazar his Son is commanded to make the Censers into a standing Memorial of their fault and of the Priesthood's being setled in the Family of Aaron Out of the burning Or Out of the place where they who offered Incense were destroyed by Fire v. 35. Yonder i. e. Farther from the Sanctuary Hallowed That is separated from common use having been offered before the Lord v. 38. to the use which God should appoint them to 38. Altar That is the Altar of Burnt-offering and not the Altar of Incense for this was over-laid with pure Gold Exod. 37.26 and these Censers were of Brass v. 39. Besides that the Altar of Incense was in the Holy place out of the view of the People and consequently Plates there placed would not serve as a sign to them 41. On the morrow c. This Sin of theirs is greatly aggravated from their having seen the strange Judgment of God upon the Seditious the day before 42. The glory See v. 19. 45. Fell c. See verse 4. 46. Take a censer c. God by what Aaron did and effected did farther assert his just Title to the Priesthood 47. Put on incense and made c. This Incense represented Prayer and Aaron's offering it in behalf of the People the intercession of Christ on our behalf v. 48. 50. The plague was stayed Upon Aaron's offering Incense a stop is put to the destruction whereas when they who were not called of God as Aaron attempted to offer it the Judgment of God over-took
them CHAP. XVII The ARGUMENT The Priesthood of Aaron and his Sons is confirmed by the Budding of Aaron's Rod. That Rod was to be kept for a Memorial 1. AND the LORD spake unto Moses saying 2. Speak unto the children of Israel and take of every one of them a rod according to the house of their fathers of all their princes according to the house of their fathers twelve rods write thou every man's name upon his rod. 3. And thou shalt write Aaron's name upon the rod of Levi for one rod shall be for the head of the house of their fathers 4. And thou shalt lay them up in the tabernacle of the congregation before the testimony where I will meet with you 5. And it shall come to pass that the man's rod whom I shall choose shall blossom and I will make to cease from me the murmurings of the children of Israel whereby they murmur against you 6. And Moses spake unto the children of Israel and every one of their princes gave him a rod a-piece for each prince one according to their father's houses even twelve rods and the rod of Aaron was among their rods 7. And Moses laid up the rods before the LORD in the tabernacle of witness 8. And it came to pass that on the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness and behold the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded and brought forth buds and bloomed blossoms and yielded almonds 9. And Moses brought out all the rods from before the LORD unto all the children of Israel and they looked and took every man his rod. 10. And the LORD said unto Moses Bring Aaron's rod again before the testimony to be kept for a token against the rebels and thou shalâ— quite take away their murmurings from me that they die not 11. And Moses did so as the LORD commanded him so did he 12. And the children of Israel spake unto Moses saying Behold we die we perish we all perish 13. Whosoever cometh any thing near unto the tabernacle of the LORD shall die shall we be consumed with dying 2. Twelve rods It is very probable that there were twelve besides the Rod of Aaron for so many Princes there were chap. 1. and chap. 7. and no less seems intimated v. 6. And the Vulgar Latin there expressly affirms it 3. Aaron's name As the Prince or Head of the Tribe of Levi. 4. Before the testimony That is before the Ark which is called the Ark of the Testimony Exod 25.22 because it contained the Tables of the Law called the Testimony Exod. 25.16 And that the Rods were laid in the Holy of Holies is farther evident from this That Moses was Commanded to bring again Aaron's Rod before the Testimony v. 10. which was laid up in the Holy of Holies Heb. 9.4 Where I will meet Exod. 25.22 5. Whom I shall choose viz. To minister to me in the Priesthood 6. A rod a-piece Heb. A rod for one Prince a rod for one Prince 10. Aaron's rod Heb. 9.4 To be kept for a token That is to be reserved or laid up for a token and perpetual Memorial For there were two Signs or Tokens of this matter The Covering of the Altar which was exposed as a sign or token unto the Children of Israel ch 16.38 And the Rod of Aaron a reserved token against the Rebels Rebels Heb. Children of Rebellion 12. We die By this Miracle they are convinced of the danger they were in if they should at any time invade the Office of the Priesthood or press beyond their allowed limits CHAP. XVIII The ARGUMENT The Charge and Office of the Priests and of the Levites The several Portions or Dues to the Priests and to the Levites 1. AND the LORD said unto Aaron Thou and thy sons and thy fathers house with thee shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary and thou and thy sons with thee shall bear the iniquity of your priesthood 2. And thy brethren also of the tribe of Levi the tribe of thy father bring thou with thee that they may be joyned unto thee and minister unto thee but thou and thy sons with thee shall minister before the tabernacle of witness 3. And they shall keep thy charge and the charge of all the tabernacle onely they shall not come nigh the vessels of the sanctuary and the altar that neither they nor you also die 4. And they shall be joined unto thee and keep the charge of the tabernacle of the congregation for all the service of the tabernacle and a stranger shall not come nigh unto you 5. And ye shall keep the charge of the sanctuary and the charge of the altar that there be no wrath any more upon the children of Israel 6. And I behold I have taken your brethren the Levites from among the children of Israel to you they are given as a gift for the LORD to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation 7. Therefore thou and thy sons with thee shall keep your priests office for every thing of the altar and within the veil and ye shall serve I have given your priests office unto you as a service of gift and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death 8. And the LORD spake unto Aaron Behold I also have given thee the charge of mine heave-offerings of all the hallowed things of the children of Israel unto thee have I given them by reason of the anointing and to thy sons by an ordinance for ever 9. This shall be thine of the most holy things reserved from the fire every oblation of theirs every meat-offering of theirs and every sin-offering of theirs and every trespass-offering of theirs which they shall render unto me shall be most holy for thee and for thy sons 10. In the most holy place shalt thou eat it every male shall eat it it shall be holy unto thee 11. And this is thine the heave-offering of their gift with all the wave-offerings of the children of Israel I have given them unto thee and to thy sons and to thy daughters with thee by a statute for ever every one that is clean in thy house shall eat of it 12. All the best of the oyl and all the best of the wine and of the wheat the first-fruits of them which they shall offer unto the LORD them have I given thee 13. And whatsoever is first ripe in the land which they shall bring unto the LORD shall be thine every one that is clean in thine house shall eat of it 14. Every thing devoted in Israel shall be thine 15. Every thing that openeth the matrice in all flesh which they bring unto the LORD whether it be of men or beasts shall be thine nevertheless the first-born of man shalt thou surely redeem and the firstling of unclean beasts shalt thou redeem 16. And those that are to be redeemed from a month old shalt thou redeem according to thine estimation for the money of five shekels after
the shekel of the sanctuary which is twenty gerahs 17. But the firstling of a cow or the firstling of a sheep or the firstling of a goat thou shalt not redeem they are holy thou shalt sprinkle their blood upon the altar and shalt burn their fat for an offering made by fire for a sweet savour unto the LORD 18. And the flesh of them shall be thine as the wave-breast and as the right shoulder are thine 19. All the heave-offerings of the holy things which the children of Israel offer unto the LORD have I given thee and thy sons and thy daughters with thee by a statute for ever it is a covenant of salt for ever before the LORD unto thee and to thy seed with thee 20. And the LORD spake unto Aaron thou shalt have no inheritance in their land neither shalt thou have any part among them I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel 21. And behold I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance for their service which they serve even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation 22. Neither must the children of Israel henceforth come nigh the tabernacle of the congregation lest they bear sin and die 23. But the Levites shall do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation and they shall bear their iniquity It shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations that among the children of Israel they have no inheritance 24. But the tithes of the children of Israel which they offer as an heave-offering unto the LORD I have given to the Levites to inherit therefore I have said unto them Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance 25. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 26. Thus speak unto the Levites â—â—d say unto them When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance then ye shall offer up an heave-offering of it for the LORD even a tenth part of the tithe 27. And this your heave-offering shall be reckoned unto you as though it were the corn of the threshing-floor and as the fulness of the wine-press 28. Thus you also shall offer an heave-offering unto the LORD of all your tithes which ye receive of the children of Israel and ye shall give thereof the LORD 's heave-offering to Aaron the priest 29. Out of all your gifts ye shall offer every heave-offering of the LORD of all the best thereof even the hallowed part thereof out of it 30. Therefore thou shalt say unto them When ye have heaved the best thereof from it then it shall be counted unto the Levites as the increase of the threshing-floor and as the increase of the wine-press 31. And ye shall eat it in every place ye and your housholds for it is your reward for your service in the tabernacle of the congregation 32. And ye shall bear no sin by reason of it when ye have heaved from it the best of it neither shall ye pollute the holy things of the children of Israel lest ye die 1. SHall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary That is Shall be liable to punishment for the Profanation of the Sanctuary of which they have the charge 2. Before the tabernacle of witness That is Not onely at the Altar but in the Holy Place as also which was the Office of the High-priest in the Most Holy Place on the day of Expiation Levit. 16.2 whereas the outer Services of the Sanctuary were left to the Levites 3. They shall not come nigh the vessels of the sanctuary i. e. They shall not approach to them to minister though they were to carry them in the Wilderness Numb 4.15 By the Vessels of the Sanctuary here are meant the Ark Candlestick Golden Altar and Table of Shew-bread Numb 4.5 7 9 11. with v. 15. They nor you They for presuming and you for permitting them 4. Charge Or Custody A stranger i. e. One who is not a Levite 5. Sanctuary Where was the Altar of Incense Candlestick and Table of Shew-bread c. Here the Priests were obliged to minister Exod. 30.7 and ch 27.21 2 Chron. 13.11 Altar i. e. The Altar of Burnt-offerings Levit 1.5 7 8 9. 6. Taken Chap. 3.45 7. And within the veil In the Most Holy Place where the High-priest onely was allowed to enter Levit. 16.2 And from that place to the Brazen Altar inclusively the inferior Priests were allowed to minister A service of gift i. e. That which is at once a Favour and Priviledge and such an one as imports Duty and Service 1 Tim. 3.1 The Priests Office might well be called a Gift and was a great Priviledge The Imployment it self was a great Honour and Favour And though the Priests had not an Inheritance with the rest yet were they very plentifully provided for that they might indistractedly attend upon their Holy Function I have elsewhere spoken of their Work See the Notes on Levit. ch 1. I shall here shew what were their Allowances for that Work by the Law of Moses And they were as follow I. The Tithe of the Levites Tithe This was very considerable they being but one Family of the Tribe of Levi and that Tribe of Levi but small in comparison with the great number of the other twelve Tribes v. 28. II. They had the Skins of the Burnt-offerings Levit. 7.8 This was generally theirs There is some Exception Levit. 4.11 12 20 21. which is inconsiderable III. The Sin and Trespass-offering was due to them and so was the Meat-offering v. 9. There were some few excepted Cases Levit 6.23 30. IV. The Breast and Shoulder of the Peace-offering Levit. 7.31 and the other Shoulder also Levit. 7.32 33. To which was afterward added as a farther Allowance the Cheeks and Maw Deut. 18.3 V. The Shew-bread Levit. 24.9 VI. Things or Persons devoted or separated by a Vow Levit. 27.21 anâ— v. 14. of this Chapter VII The Restitution Money c. mentioned Num. 5.8 VIII All the Heave and Wave-offerings v. 8.11 IX First-fruits v. 12. X. First-born v. 15. XI The Tribute mentioned Numb 31.29 Stranger i. e. He who is not a Priest of the House of Aaron 8. The charge of mine heave-offerings i. e. The right to them to be employed as I have appointed See Levit. 7.32 Numb 5.9 By reason of the anointing i. e. Upon the score of the Office to which by anointing thou hast been set a-part 9. Every oblation Or Every gift This seems to be the general Head comprehending under it the several Most Holy Things which presently follow Which they shall render Or Which they shall restore This seems to referr to the Trespass-offering named last when the Offerer made Restitution for the wrong he had done Levit. 5.15 16. Numb 5.8 10. In the most holy place Not in the Holy of Holies Levit 16.2 Heb. 9.7 but in the Holy Place in the Court Levit. 6.16 26.24.9 Or the
might have been made once before the manner of which Water follows in this Chapter A red heifer c. This Law concerning the Water of Separation for the purifying those who were legally unclean fitly succeeds in this place for the Israelites were now in great fear that by coming near the Tabernacle they should be consumed chap. 17.12 13. Here is a way appointed to cleanse them from their legal Impurities which would have rendred their approach to the Sanctuary dangerous to them This is a Type of Christ Who hath washed us from our sins in his own blood Rev. 1.5 3. Vnto Eleazar Not unto Aaron but to Eleazar because Aaron being the High-priest was under the strictest obligation to shun every legal Uncleanness Lev. 21.11 12. which he who ministred in this Service could not do v. 7. Forth without the camp Heb. 13.11 His face i. e. Eleazar's 4. Sprinkle Heb. 9.13 Before the tabernacle viz. The place where God did more especially presentiate himself and the Type of Heaven into which we can onely by the Blood of Jesus hope to enter Heb. 10.19 5. Her skin Exod 29.14 Levit. 4.11 12. 7. Be unclean The same is said of him that burned the Heifer v. 8. and of him that gathered the Ashes v. 10. and of him that should sprinkle with the Water of Separation or touch it v. 21. which intimate to us the imperfection of the legal Dispensation and Typifie Christ's being made a Curse for us The red Heifer was a Type of Christ who bore our sins Isa 53.12 2 Cor. 5.21 9. Clean That is Free from legal pollution Separation i. e. Which takes away the legal impurities from men a Type of Christ's Blood which purgeth the Conscience from dead works 10. Vnclean See the Note on v. 7. Stranger i. e. Proselyte 11. Man Heb. Soul of man Seven days He that touched the Carcase of an unclean Beast was unclean onely to the Evening Levit. 11.24 13. Defileth the tabernacle That is By approaching to it in his Uncleanness he polluteth the Holy Place For Holy Things were defiled by Unclean Haggai 2.13 with Levit. 15.31 16. Slain with a sword Or any other ways slain as appears from the following words 17. Ashes Heb. Dust Running water shall be put Heb. Living waters shall be given 20. Defiled See v. 13. 22. The unclean person i. e. He that sprinkleth that Water of Separation v. 21. as well as the mentioned v. 7. and he that gathered the Ashes of the Red Heifer v. 10. CHAP. XX. The ARGUMENT The Children of Israel come to Zin Miriam dieth The People murmur for want of Water Moses smites the Rock and they were supplied with Water Moses and Aaron excluded from bringing the Israelites into Canaan Moses is denied passage through Edom. Aaron dieth 1. THen came the children of Israel even the whole congregation into the desart of Zin in the first month and the people abode in Kadesh and Miriam died there and was buried there 2. And there was no water for the congregation and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron 3. And the people chode with Moses and spake saying Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the LORD 4. And why have ye brought up the congregation of the LORD into this wilderness that we and our cattel should die there 5. And wherefore have ye made us to come up out of Egypt to bring us in unto this evil place it is no place of seed or of figs or of vines or of pomegranates neither is there any water to drink 6. And Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation and they fell upon their faces and the glory of the LORD appeared unto them 7. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 8. Take the rod and gather thou the assembly together thou and Aaron thy brother and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes and it shall give forth his water and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink 9. And Moses took the rod from before the LORD as he commanded him 10. And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock and he said unto them Hear now ye rebels must we fetch you water out of this rock 11. And Moses lift up his hand and with his rod he smote the rock twice and the water came out abundantly and the congregation drank and their beasts also 12. And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron Because ye believed me not to sanctifie me in the eyes of the children of Israel therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them 13. This is the water of Meribah because the children of Israel strove with the LORD and he was sanctified in them 14. And Moses sent messengers from Kadesh unto the king of Edom Thus saith thy brother Israel Thou knowest all the travel that hath befallen us 15. How our fathers went down into Egypt and we have dwelt in Egypt a long time and the Egyptians vexed us and our fathers 16. And when we cried unto the LORD he heard our voice and sent an angel and hath brought us forth out of Egypt and behold we are in Kadesh a city in the uttermost of thy border 17. Let us pass I pray thee through thy country we will not pass through the fields or through the vineyards neither will we drink of the water of the wells we will go by the king's high-way we will not turn to the right hand nor to the left until we have passed thy borders 18. And Edom said unto him Thou shalt not pass by me lest I come out against thee with the sword 19. And the children of Israel said unto him We will go by the high-way and if I and my cattel drink of thy water then I will pay for it I will onely without doing any thing else go through on my feet 20. And he said Thou shalt not go through And Edom came out against him with much people and with a strong hand 21. Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border wherefore Israel turned away from him 22. And the children of Israel even the whole congregation journeyed from Kadesh and came unto mount Hor. 23. And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in mount Hor by the coast of the land of Edom saying 24. Aaron shall be gathered unto his people for he shall not enter into the land which I have given unto the children of Israel because ye rebelled against my word at the water of Meribah 25. Take Aaron and Eleazar his son and bring them up unto mount Hor 26. And strip Aaron of his garments and put them upon Eleazar his son and Aaron shall be gathered unto his people and shall die there 27. And Moses did as the LORD commanded and they went up into
mount Hor in the sight of all the congregation 28. And Moses stripped Aaron of his garments and put them upon Eleazar his son and Aaron died there in the top of the mount and Moses and Eleazar came down from the mount 29. And when all the congregation saw that Aaron was dead they mourned for Aaron thirty days even all the house of Israel 1. IN the first mouth viz. Of the fortieth Year after they came out of Egypt ch 33.38 and when the Generation of Men who were fit for Battel were consumed Deut. 2.14 Miriam She was Sister to Moses and Aaron and a Prophetess also Exod. 15.20 Micah 6.4 2. There was no water The Water which came out of Horeb and had supplied them in the Wilderness 1 Cor. 10.4 now they draw nigh the promised land fails them Exod. 17.6 3. Chode Exod. 17.2 When our brethren ch 11.33 6. Fell upon their faces See Chap. 14. v. 5. 8. The rod i. e. That Rod with which Moses wrought his Miracles in Egypt which is called his Rod v. 11. and it is probable was lodged in the Sanctuary v. 9. For Moses is said v. 9. to have taken it from before the LORD 12. Because ye believed me not c. It may be matter of enquiry wherein consisted the sin of Moses with which Aaron is also charged as consenting to it In answer to which it is to be considered I. That the very Letter of God's command was broken First In that Moses smote the Rock with his Rod and smote it twice v. 11. whereas he had received no such command from God but was commanded to speak to the Rock v. 8. that the People might see how easily God could supply their want of Water Whereas in the Waters of Horeb he was indeed expressly required to smite with the Rod as well as to take it Exod. 17.5 6. For though he were here commanded to take the Rod yet that does not imply that he was to smite with it as appears from the following Instances Exod. 8.5 6. with ch 9.23 and ch 10.13 and ch 14.16 Secondly In speaking to the People which Moses had no Commission to do and not to the Rock which was expressly commanded v. 8 10. II. That this open breach of God's Command was committed in the sight and face of the Assembly v. 8. hence are Moses and Aaron charged for not sanctifying the Lord in the eyes of the children of Israel v. 12. III. Moses was also guilty of some degree of Unbelief and distrust of God's Power and Veracity as appears from v. 12. compared with v. 10. Must we or can we as the Vulgar hath it fetch water c. which seems to intimate a doubting Vid. Gen. 18.13 and too much Anger and Commotion of Mind They provoked his spirit so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips Psal 106.33 And as the degrees of these sins were known to God onely so it is certain upon the whole they were guilty of that which is elsewhere called Trespass and Rebellion Numb 27.14 Deut. 32.51 To sanctifie me c. i. e. By your ready and absolute Obedience to my Command to own my Sovereignty as well as Veracity in the presence of the Children of Israel 13. This is c. Ps 106.32 Meribah That is Strife And he was sanctified in them i. e. In Moses and Aaron by punishing their Disobedience See Levit 10.3 Ezek. 38.16 22 23. 14. Befallen us Heb. Found us 16. An Angel See Exod. 3.2 17. The King 's high way i. e. The Common Road of all Travellers See v. 19. and ch 21.22 21. Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border Though he refused this yet he did not deny them Victuals and Water for Money as they passed by him See Deut. 2.28 29. 22. Kadesh Ch. 33.37 Mount Hor This Mount was upon the Coast of Edom v. 23. Hence the Horims might have their Name to whom the Children of Esau succeeded in Seir Deut. 2.12 And hence Seir was called an Horite Gen. 36.20 24. Word Heb. Mouth 25. Take Aaron c. Ch. 33.38 Deut. 32.50 26. Of his garments viz. Of his Priestly Robes This implied the devesting him of his Office as the putting them upon Eleazar his Son implied the succeeding of Eleazar into his Father's Employment and Dignity Isa 22.20 21. 28. Aaron died there Deut. 10.6 and ch 32.50 This happened in the fortieth year after the Israelites came out of Egypt on the first day of the fifth month when Aaron was an hundred twenty and three years old ch 33.38 39. The Death of Aaron shews the Insufficiency of the Levitical Priesthood Heb. 7.23 24. 29. Thirty days See Deut. 34.8 CHAP. XXI The ARGUMENT The Israelites get a Victory over the Canaanites They murmur and are thereupon destroyed with fiery Serpents They are upon their Repentance healed by a Serpent of Brass They remove to a Place called Oboth and after other Removes they come to Arnon and thence to Beer Some other Removes Sihon and Og are over-come by the Israelites 2552. 1452. 1. AND when king Arad the Canaanite which dwelt in the south heard tell that Israel came by the way of the spies then he fought against Israel and took some of them prisoners 2. And Israel vowed a vow unto the LORD and said If thou wilt indeed deliver this people into my hand then I will utterly destroy their cities 3. And the LORD hearkened to the voice of Israel and delivered up the Canaanites and they utterly destroyed them and their cities and he called the name of the place Hormah 4. And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red-sea to compass the land of Edom and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way 5. And the people spake against God and against Moses Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness for there is no bread neither is there any water and our soul lotheth this light bread 6. And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people and they bit the people and much people of Israel died 7. Therefore the people came to Moses and said We have sinned for we have spoken against the LORD and against thee pray unto the LORD that he take away the serpents from us and Moses prayed for the people 8. And the LORD said unto Moses Make thee a fiery serpent and set it upon a pole and it shall come to pass that every one that is bitten when he looketh upon it shall live 9. And Moses made a serpent of brass and put it upon a pole and it came to pass that if a serpent had bitten any man when he beheld the serpent of brass he lived 10. And the children of Israel set forward and pitched in Oboth 11. And they journeyed from Oboth and pitched at Ije-abarim in the wilderness which is before Moab toward the sun-rising 12. From thence they removed and pitched in the valley of Zared 13. From
4. to v. 15. And after the Captivity Ezra was of his Line Ezra 7.1 2 3 4 5. and we have no reason to doubt of its continuance afterward 14. Chief house Heb. House of a father 17. Vex Ch. 31.2 The Moabites are not named See Deut. 2.9 It is probable the Midianites were the greatest Offenders See v. 6. and ch 31.16 CHAP. XXVI The ARGUMENT The Summ of all the Israelites is taken from Twenty years old and upward The Number of each Tribe The Summ total The Law concerning Dividing the Land The Families of Levi numbred The total Summ of them None of them that were Numbred in the Wilderness of Sinai remained now beside Caleb and Joshua 1. AND it came to pass after the plague that the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron the priest saying 2. Take the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel from twenty years old and upward throughout their father's house all that are able to go to war in Israel 3. And Moses and Eleazar the priest spake with them in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho saying 4. Take the sum of the people from twenty years old and upward as the LORD commanded Moses and the children of Israel which went forth out of the land of Egypt 5. Reuben the eldest son of Israel the children of Reuben Hanoch of whom cometh the family of the Hanochites of Pallu the family of the Palluites 6. Of Hesron the family of the Hesronites of Carmi the family of the Carmites 7. These are the families of the Reubenites and they that were numbred of them were forty and three thousand and seven hundred and thirty 8. And the sons of Pallu Eliab 9. And the sons of Eliab Nemuel and Dathan and Abiram This is that Dathan and Abiram which were famous in the congregation who strove against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah when they strove against the LORD 10. And the earth opened her mouth and swallowed them up together with Korah when that company died what time the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men and they became a sign 11. Notwithstanding the children of Korah died not 12. The sons of Simeon after their families of Nemuel the family of the Nemuelites of Jamin the family of the Jaminites of Jachin the family of the Jachinites 13. Of Zerah the family of the Zarhites of Shaul the family of the Shaulites 14. These are the families of the Simeonites twenty and two thousand and two hundred 15. The children of Gad after their families of Zephon the family of the Zephonites of Haggi the family of the Haggites of Shuni the family of the Shunites 16. Of Ozni the family of the Oznites of Eri the family of the Erites 17. Of Arod the family of the Arodites of Areli the family of the Arelites 18. These are the families of the children of Gad according to those that were numbred of them forty thousand and five hundred 19. The sons of Judah were Er and Onan and Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan 20. And the sons of Judah after their families were Of Shelah the family of the Shelanites of Pharez the family of the Pharzites of Zerah the family of the Zarbites 21. And the sons of Pharez were of Hesron the family of the Hesronites of Hamul the family of the Hamulites 22. These are the families of Judah according to those that were numbred of them threescore and sixteen thousand and five hundred 23. Of the sons of Issachar after their families of Tola the family of the Tolaites of Pua the family of the Punites 24. Of Jashub the family of the Jashubites of Shimron the family of the Shimronites 25. These are the families of Issachar according to those that were numbred of them threescore and four thousand and three hundred 26. Of the sons of Zebulun after their families of Sered the family of the Sardites of Elon the family of the Elonites of Jahleel the family of the Jahleelites 27. These are the families of the Zebulunites according to those that were numbred of them threescore thousand and five hundred 28. The sons of Joseph after their families were Manasseh and Ephraim 29. Of the sons of Manasseh of Machir the family of the Machirites and Machir begat Gilead of Gilead come the family of the Gileadites 30. These are the sons of Gilead of Jeezer the family of the Jeezerites of Helek the family of the Helekites 31. And of Asriel the family of the Asrielites and of Shechem the family of the Shechemites 32. And of Shemida the family of the Shemidaites and of Hepher the family of the Hepherites 33. And Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons but daughters and the names of the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah and Noah Hoglah Milcah and Tirzah 34. These are the families of Manasseh and those that were numbred of them fifty and two thousand and seven hundred 35. These are the sons of Ephraim after their families of Shuthelah the family of the Shuthalhites of Becher the family of the Bechrites of Tahan the family of the Tahanites 36. And these are the sons of Shuthelah of Eran the family of the Eranites 37. These are the families of the sons of Ephraim according to those that were numbred of them thirty and two thousand and five hundred These are the sons of Joseph after their families 38. The sons of Benjamin after their families of Bela the family of the Belaites of Ashbel the family of the Ashbelites of Ahiram the family of the Ahiramites 39. Of Shupham the family of the Shuphamites of Hupham the family of the Huphamites 40. And the sons of Bela were Ard and Naaman of Ard the family of the Ardites and of Naaman the family of the Naamites 41. These are the sons of Benjamin after their families and they that were numbred of them were forty and five thousand and six hundred 42. These are the sons of Dan after their families of Shuham the family of the Shuhamites These are the families of Dan after their families 43. All the families of the Shuhamites according to those that were numbred of them were threescore and four thousand and four hundred 44. Of the children of Asher after their families of Jimna the family of the Jimnites of Jesui the family of the Jesuites of Beriah the family of the Beriites 45. Of the sons of Beriah of Heber the family of the Heberites of Malchiel the family of the Malchielites 46. And the name of the daughter of Asher was Sarah 47. These are the families of the sons of Asher according to those that were numbred of them who were fifty and three thousand and four hundred 48. Of the sons of Naphtali after their families of Jahzeel the families of the Jahzeelites of Guni the family of the Gunites 49. Of Jezer the family of the Jezerites of Shillem the family of the Shillemites 50. These are the families of Naphtali according to their
families and they that were numbred of them were forty and five thousand and four hundred 51. These were the numbred of the children of Israel six hundred thousand and a thousand seven hundred and thirty 52. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 53. Vnto these the land shall be divided for an inheritance according to the number of names 54. To many thou shalt give the more inheritance and to few thou shalt give the less inheritance to every one shall his inheritance be given according to those that were numbred of him 55. Notwithstanding the land shall be divided by lot according to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit 56. According to the lot shall the possession thereof be divided between many and few 57. And these are they that were numbred of the Levites after their families of Gershon the family of the Gershonites of Kobath the family of the Kohathites of Merari the family of the Merarites 58. These are the families of the Levites the family of the Libnites the family of the Hebronites the family of the Mahlites the family of the Mushites the family of the Korathites And Kohath begat Amram 59. And the name of Amram's wife was Jochebed the daughter of Levi whom her mother bare to Levi in Egypt and she bare unto Amram Aaron and Moses and Miriam their sister 60. And unto Aaron was born Nadab and Abihu Eleazar and Ithamar 61. And Nadab and Abihu died when they offered strange fire before the LORD 62. And those that were numbred of them were twenty and three thousand all males from a month old and upward for they were not numbred among the children of Israel because there was no inheritance given them among the children of Israel 63. These are they that were numbred by Moses and Eleazar the priest who numbred the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho 64. But among these there was not a man of them whom Moses and Aaron the priest numbred when they numbred the children of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai 65. For the LORD had said of them They shall surely die in the wilderness And there was not left a man of them save Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun. 1. AFter the plague Ch. 25.9 2. From twenty Ch. 1.3 The Number was now taken in order to the dividing the Land among them v. 53. which they were now ready to possess Now was also the Generation of Men dead who were excluded the Land for their Murmuring ch 14.29 with verses 64 and 65 of this Chapter The remainder of them probably being slain by the Plague ch 25.9 Hence this Number is required to be taken after the plague v. 1. 4. Commanded Ch. 1.1 5. Reuben the eldest Gen. 46.8 Exod 6.14 1 Chron. 5.1 7. Forty and three thousand and seven hundred and thirty When they were numbred ch 1. they were 46500 Their decrease in so great measure must be imputed to their Sin and particularly that which is mentioned chap. 16. 9. Famous Chap. 16.2 10. A sign i. e. A sad Example to others against Rebellion 1 Cor. 10.6 14. Twenty and two thousand and two hundred Thus are they also decreased from 59300 chap. 1. It is probable that many perished with Zimri who was a principal Man of this Tribe chap. 25.14 18. Forty thousand and five hundred Their number ch 1. was 45650. All the Tribes of the Standard of Reuben are remarkably decreased 19. The sons of Judah Gen. 38.1 c. and 46.12 22. Threescore and sixteen thousand and five hundred Whereas they were but 72600 chap. 1. Judah out-stripped his Brethren according to Jacob's Prediction Gen. 49.8 25. Threescore and four thousand and three hundred These are increased to this number from 54400 chap. 1. 27. Threescore thousand and five hundred They were but 57400 chap. 1. So that each Tribe belonging to the Standard of Judah was encreased in their Numbers 29. Machir Josh 17.1 33. Zelophehad Ch. 27.1 34. Fifty and two thousand and seven hundred They encreased from 32200 chap. 1. 37. Thirty and two thousand and five hundred They were when they came out of Egypt 40500 ch 1. 41. Forty and five thousand and six hundred They are increased from 35400 chap. 1. 43. Threescore and four thousand and four hundred There were but 62700 chap. 1. 47. Fifty and three thousand and four hundred They were but 41500 chap. 1. 50. Forty and five thousand and four hundred They were 53400 chap. 1. 51. Six hundred thousand and a thousand seven hundred and thirty They were decreased from 603550 chap. 1. to the number of One thousand eight hundred and twenty 54. To many Ch. 33.54 Give the more inheritance Heb. Multiply his inheritance Give the less inheritance Heb. Diminish his inheritance 55. Divided by lot Chap. 33.54 Josh 11.23 and 14.2 This dividing by Lot was very consistent with that Equality which is required v. 54. And the most probable account of this matter is That the several Coasts or Provinces of the whole Land were by Lot adjudged to the several Tribes but then each Tribe was assigned a greater or less portion of that Tract where his Lot fell as the number of its Families were more or fewer This exact measure of their portion was not determined by Lot for then Simeon could not justly have been placed within the Tract where Judah inherited Josh 19. 57. And these are they c. Exod. 6.16 17 18 19. These are numbred by themselves because they were not to inherit with the other Tribes and not distinctly numbred here 59. Jochebed Exod 2.1 2. and 6.20 61. Nadab and Abihu Levit. 10.2 chap. 3.4 1 Chron. 24.2 62. Twenty and three thousand They are now increased chap. 3. 64. Among these i.e. Among the Tribes to whom the Land was to be divided by Lot 65. Shall surely die Chap. 14.28 1 Cor. 10.5 6. CHAP. XXVII The ARGUMENT The Request of the Daughters of Zelophehad The Law concerning Inheritances thereupon Joshua is appointed to succeed Moses upon the notice he received of his Death 1. THen came the daughters of Zelophehad the son of Hepher the son of Gilead the son of Machir the son of Manasseh of the families of Manasseh the son of Joseph and these are the names of his daughters Mahlah Noah and Hoglah and Milcah and Tirzah 2. And they stood before Moses and before Eleazar the priest and before the princes and all the congregation by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation saying 3. Our father died in the wilderness and he was not in the company of them that gathered themselves together against the LORD in the company of Korah but died in his own sin and had no sons 4. Why should the name of our father be done away from among his family because he hath no son Give unto us therefore a possession among the brethren of our father 5. And Moses brought their cause before the
made of wood 21. And Eleazar the priest said unto the men of war which went to the battel This is the ordinance of the law which the LORD commanded Moses 22. Onely the gold and the silver the brass the iron the tin and the lead 23. Every thing that may abide the fire ye shall make it go through the fire and it shall be clean nevertheless it shall be purified with the water of separation and all that abideth not the fire ye shall make go through the water 24. And ye shall wash your clothes on the seventh day and ye shall be clean and afterward ye shall come into the camp 25. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 26. Take the sum of the prey that was taken both of man and of beast thou and Eleazar the priest and the chief fathers of the congregation 27. And divide the prey into two parts between them that took the war upon them who went out to battel and between all the congregation 28. And levy a tribute unto the LORD of the men of war which went out to battel one soul of five hundred both of the persons and of the beeves and of the asses and of the sheep 29. Take it of their half and give it unto Eleazar the priest for an heave-offering of the LORD 30. And of the children of Israel's half thou shalt take one portion of fifty of the persons of the beeves of the asses and of the flocks of all manner of beasts and give them unto the Levites which keep the charge of the tabernacle of the LORD 31. And Moses and Eleazar the priest did as the LORD commanded Moses 32. And the booty being the rest of the prey which the men of war had caught was six hundred thousand and seventy thousand and five thousand sheep 33. And threescore and twelve thousand beeves 34. And threescore and one thousand asses 35. And thirty and two thousand persons in all of women that had not known man by lying with him 36. And the half which was the portion of them that went out to war was in number three hundred thousand and seven and thirty thousand and five hundred sheep 37. And the LORD's tribute of the sheep was six hundred and threescore and fifteen 38. And the beeves were thirty and six thousand of which the LORD's tribute was threescore and twelve 39. And the asses were thirty thousand and five hundred of which the LORD's tribute was threescore and one 40. And the persons were sixteen thousand of which the LORD's tribute was thirty and two persons 41. And Moses gave the tribute which was the LORD's heave-offering unto Eleazar the priest as the LORD commanded Moses 42. And of the children of Israel's half which Moses divided from the men that warred 43. Now the half that pertained unto the congregation was three hundred thousand and thirty thousand and seven thousand and five hundred sheep 44. And thirty and six thousand beeves 45. And thirty thousand asses and five hundred 46. And sixteen thousand persons 47. Even of the children of Israel's half Moses took one portion of fifty both of man and of beast and gave them unto the Levites which kept the charge of the tabernacle of the LORD as the LORD commanded Moses 48. And the officers which were over thousands of the host the captains of thousands and captains of hundreds came near unto Moses 49. And they said unto Moses Thy servants have taken the sum of the men of war which are under our charge and there lacketh not one man of us 50. We have therefore brought an oblation for the LORD what every man hath gotten of jewels of gold chains and bracelets rings ear-rings and tablets to make an atonement for our souls before the LORD 51. And Moses and Eleazar the priest took the gold of them even all wrought jewels 52. And all the gold of the offering that they offered up to the LORD of the captains of thousands and of the captains of hundreds was sixteen thousand seven hundred and fifty shekels 53. For the men of war had taken spoil every man for himself 54. And Moses and Eleazar the priest took the gold of the captains of thousands and of hundreds and brought it into the tabernacle of the congregation for a memorial for the children of Israel before the LORD 2. Avenge the children of Israel Ch. 25.17 Moses is commanded here to avenge the Israelites but v. 3. he requires the People to avenge the Lord. The Midianites had brought destruction upon the People of Israel and had drawn them from God into Idolatry and upon both these accounts were obnoxious as offenders against God and Israel See ch 25. v. 15 17 18. Be gathered Ch. 27.13 4. Of every tribe a thousand Heb. A thousand of a tribe a thousand of a tribe 5. Twelve thousand The Levites were excused See the Note on ch 1.47 6. Phinehas A Man of great Zeal and fit to excite and move the People See ch 25. But it by no means appears that he went as Commander but as a Priest to direct the People and to awaken them to their Duty and to that purpose he is provided with the Holy Instruments or Vrim and Thummim 1 Sam. 30.7 and the Trumpets ch 10.9 8. Evi Josh 13.21 These were Dukes during the life of Sihon and afterward Kings Zur The Father of Cozbi ch 25.15 10. Burnt This they did not onely to prevent their own taking up their Rest there but to prevent others from settling in those strong places 14. Battel Heb. Host of war 16. These caused Chap. 25.2 The Women were greatly Criminal and though the Daughters of Moab onely are mentioned ch 25.1 yet they of Midian are to be included Compare ch 25.6 and v. 17 18. Counsel 2 Pet. 2.15 See the Note on ch 24.14 17. Kill Judg. 21.11 That hath known man i. e. That is Adult and Marriageable This seems to be the sense of the words as this Precept is distinct from that which goes just before and opposed to that which immediately follows v. 18. Him Heb. A male 18. For your selves For your own use and service or to sell as Slaves 19. Whosoever hath touched Ch. 19.11 c. Purifie According to the Law in that case made and provided ch 19. 20. That is made of skins Heb. Instrument or vessel of skins 22. Onely the gold c. Which was not provided for in the Law given Num. 19. 26. That was taken Heb. Of the captivity Of man and of beast The Prey taken of the Midianites was of three kinds viz. of Persons v. 18. of Beasts v. 32 33 c. and of Moveables v. 22 and v. 50. The two first of these were divided among the Warriors and the Congregation the last were left in the Hands of those who went out to Battel v. 48 50. 27. Two parts That is Two equal parts as appears from what follows Those who went out to Battel for their pains and hazard have
Atroth Shophan and Jaazer and Jogbehah 36. And Beth-nimrah and Beth-haran fenced cities and folds for sheep 37. And the children of Reuben built Heshbon and Elealeh and Kirjathaim 38. And Nebo and Baal-meon their names being changed and Shibmah and gave other names unto the cities which they builded 39. And the children of Machir the son of Manasseh went to Gilead and took it and dispossessed the Amorite which was in it 40. And Moses gave Gilead unto Machir the son of Manasseh and he dwelt therein 41. And Jair the son of Manasseh went and took the small towns thereof and called them Havoth-jair 42. And Nobah went and took Kenath and the villages thereof and called it Nobah after his own name 1. JAzer The Name of a place taken from the Amorites ch 21.32 Gilead A place famous for Pasture divided to the Reubenites and Gadites and the half Tribe of Manasseh Deut. 3.12 13. with Jer. 50.19 and Micah 7.14 3. Nimrah This place is called Beth-Nimrah v. 36. It is usual among the Hebrews in the names of places to cut off the former part Thus Jerusalem is sometimes called Salem Psal 76.2 and Shittim is put for Abel-Shittim ch 25.1 with ch 33.49 and Lehi for Ramath-Lehi Judg. 15.17 19. 7. Discourage Heb. Break. 8. Thus did your fathers That is They did discourage the Congregation See ch 13.31 32. 9. When Chap. 13.24 11. From twenty Chap. 14.28 29. Wholly followed me Heb. Fulfilled after me 12. The Kenezite He was so called from Kenaz 1 Chron. 4.13 15. compared with Josh 15.17 17. Because of the inhabitants i. e. Lest they should destroy them 20. Moses Josh 1.13 Before the LORD i. e. Before the Ark which was the Symbol of the Lord's Presence And this they did when the Congregation passed over Jordan before the Ark passed over Josh 4.11 it being expressly said that the Children of Reuben and Gad and half the Tribe of Manasseh passed over armed before the children of Israel v. 12. and that about forty thousand prepared for war passed over before the Lord unto battel v. 13. 22. Shall be your possession before the LORD i. e. You shall possess it with the Lord's approbation and leave 23. Your sin will find you out i. e. You shall be punished for your Disobedience Or as the Greek hath it Ye shall know your sin when Evils over-take you 27. But thy servants Josh 4.12 33. Moses gave Deut. 3.12 Josh 13.8 and 22.4 And unto half the tribe of Manasseh These are added by Moses there being more Land here than what was needfull for the Children of Gad and Reuben And the reason why he gave it to the Children of Manasseh was because they had dispossessed the Amorite and had thereupon a fairer pretence See v. 39. and compare it with Josh 17.1 34. Built Or repaired and fortified 38. Their names being changed They were changed upon the Conquest and probably upon the account of the Idolatry which their old Names were the Memorials of This may be presumed of Nebo and Baal-meon Baal or Bel was the name of an Idol and so was Nebo also Bel boweth down Nebo stoopeth says the Prophet Isa 46.1 Gave other names unto the cities Heb. They called by names the names of the cities 39. Machir Gen. 50.23 40. Gilead unto Machir i. e. He gave half Mount Gilead to the Posterity of Machir Deut. 3.12 13. See v. 39. 41. Jair the son of Manasseh Deut. 3.14 Jair was by his Mother's side of the Posterity of Manasseh 1 Chron. 2.21 22. CHAP. XXIII The ARGUMENT The several Removes or Journeys of the Israelites They are Commanded to destroy the Inhabitants of Canaan and their Monuments of Idolatry under a severe Penalty 1. THese are the journeys of the children of Israel which went forth out of the land of Egypt with their armies under the hand of Moses and Aaron 2. And Moses wrote their goings out according to their journeys by the commandment of the LORD and these are their journeys according to their goings out 3. And they departed from Rameses in the first month on the fifteenth day of the first month on the morrow after the passeover the children of Israel went out with an high hand in the sight of all the Egyptians 4. For the Egyptians buried all their first-born which the LORD had smitten among them upon their gods also the LORD executed judgments 5. And the children of Israel removed from Rameses and pitched in Succoth 6. And they departed from Succoth and pitched in Etham which is in the edge of the wilderness 7. And they removed from Etham and turned again unto Pi-hahiroth which is before Baal-zephon and they pitched before Migdol 8. And they departed from before Pi-hahiroth and passed through the midst of the sea into the wilderness and went three days journey in the wilderness of Etham and pitched in Marah 9. And they removed from Marab and came unto Elim and in Elim were twelve fountains of water and threescore and ten palm-trees and they pitched there 10. And they removed from Elim and encamped by the Red-sea 11. And they removed from the Red-sea and encamped in the wilderness of Sin 12. And they took their journey out of the wilderness of Sin and encamped in Dophkah 13. And they departed from Dophkah and encamped in Alush 14. And they removed from Alush and encamped at Rephidim where was no water for the people to drink 15. And they departed from Rephidim and pitched in the wilderness of Sinai 16. And they removed from the desart of Sinai and pitched at Kibroth-hattaavah 17. And they departed from Kibroth-hattaavah and encamped at Hazeroth 18. And they departed from Hazeroth and pitched in Rithmah 19. And they departed from Rithmah and pitched at Rimmon-parez 20. And they departed from Rimmon-parez and pitched in Libnah 21. And they removed from Libnah and pitched at Rissah 22. And they journeyed from Rissah and pitched in Kehelathah 23. And they went from Kebelatbab and pitched in mount Shapher 24. And they removed from mount Shapher and encamped in Haradah 25. And they removed from Haradah and pitched in Makheloth 26. And they removed from Makheloth and encamped at Tahath 27. And they departed from Tahath and pitched at Tarah 28. And they removed from Tarah and pitched in Mithcah 29. And they went from Mithcah and pitched in Hashmonah 30. And they departed from Hashmonah and encamped at Moseroth 31. And they departed from Moseroth and pitched in Bene-jaakan 32. And they removed from Bene-jaakan and encamped at Hor-hagidgad 33. And they went from Hor-hagidgad and pitched in Jotbathah 34. And they removed from Jotbathah and encamped at Ebronah 35. And they departed from Ebronah and encamped at Ezion-gaber 36. And they removed from Ezion-gaber and pitched in the wilderness of Zin which is Kadesh 37. And they removed from Kadesh and pitched in mount Hor in the edge of the land of Edom. 38. And Aaron the priest went up into mount Hor at the commandment of
pretence though he is content to part with Hebron Obj. IV. It is pretended that Moses cou'd not write those words Deut. 2.12 The Horims also dwelt in Seir before-time but the children of Esau succeeded them when they had destroyed them from before them and dwelt in their stead as Israel did unto the land of his possession which the Lord gave unto them The force of the Objection lies in the latter part of the words as Israel did c. By which it 's pretended is meant that Israel dwelt in Seir and expell'd the Idumaeans but that this hapned not in the time of Moses as appears from v. 5. but long afterwards This being that which David mentions Psal 108.9 and which was in his time effected 1 Chron. 18.13 Praeadamit l. 4. c. 1. I answer That here is no mention of the Israelites possessing the Land of the Idumaeans That is fiction and without any shadow of ground from this Text. And for the true meaning of the place I referr the Reader to the Note on Deut. 2.12 Obj. V. It is pretended that Moses could not write those words Gen. 12.6 And the Canaanite was then in the Land This Objection is made by Mr. Hobbs and by Spinosa The utmost of it amounts but to thus much That these words cou'd not be writ by Moses because it wou'd be impertinent for him to say this which was so well known at that time For the Canaanite continu'd above 400 years in the Land after this and therefore those words were added by some hand after the Destruction of the Canaanites Before I answer this I observe this by the way That this Objection is not of the sort of some others which pretend that Moses cou'd not write some passages because the words they insist on mention some-thing that hapned after his time That cannot be pretended here Here all that can be said is That we cannot think Moses wou'd write these words without a Cause I answer 1. That what Moses says is that the Canaanite was THEN in the Land i. e. He had in those early days of Abram possession of that Land which God intended above 400 years afterward to bestow on the Posterity of Abram In the very next words we read And the Lord appear'd unto Abram and said unto thy seed Will I give THIS Land i. e. This very Land which is now in possession of the Canaanite and for that reason call'd the Land of Canaan chap. 11.31 We have a particular account of the Destruction of the Canaanite and of the precise time when it hapned But that Relation does not tell us how long they had been possessed of it That we learn here The Objectors force a sense upon the words As if these words The Canaanite was then in the Land imported thus much The Canaanite was not as yet dispossess'd of the Land Whereas the Text onely tells us that they were Possessors of it THEN when Abram came first to it and when God promis'd it to his Posterity And then the words have no reference to the Destruction of the Canaanites but to their early Possession onely 2. It is very certain that the word Canaanite sometimes signifies a particular Tribe or Family so call'd and not the general Name of the Inhabitants of that Land Thus the word signifies Gen. 13.7.15.21 Numb 13.29.14.25 And then Moses onely relates that in that tract of Land in which Abram then was this Tribe dwelt 3. It is very unreasonable therefore to object this against Moses his being the Author of these words and that because we do not understand the reason of his bringing in these words in this place Because there might be sufficient Reasons though at this distance we were not able to discern them And at this rate we may reject any ancient Author whatsoever I add that 't is to be considered what Land is meant in these words 'T is said that Abram passed through the Land to the place of Sichem It follows The Canaanite was then in the Land viz. of Sichem But these Canaanites were destroyed and their City spoiled and their Land driven before the Israelites went into Egypt and thâ—â—efore before Moses wrote these words Gen. 34. In Abram's time the Canaanite was in that Land and even then he durst go thither and profess the Worship of the true God but he was not there afterward being destroyed by Jacob's Sons That Land being void they came thither to feed their Flocks Gen. 37.14 The Words are well rendred by a late Writer Et Cananaeus quidem tunc temporis in eo tractu fuit Obj. VI. 'T is farther objected that Moses cou'd not be the Author of some part of Deut. 3. And two places are insisted upon viz. v. 11. For onely Og King of Bashan remain'd of the remnant of Giants Behold his bed-stead was a bed-stead of Iron is it not in Rabbath of the children of Ammon c. These words 't is said cou'd not be written by Moses but by a later Author for Moses need not to have mention'd the Bed-stead to those Jews his Contemporaries who had seen the Giant himself Besides 't is pretended that this Bed-stead was not found out till the times of David 2 Sam. 12.30 And therefore these words must be written by a later Author than Moses The other place is v. 14. Jair the son of Manasseh took all the Country of Argob unto the coasts of Geshuri and Maachathi and called them after his own name Bashan-Havoth-Jair unto this day 'T is pretended that these words were added by a later Writer by way of Explication of v. 13. And that Moses wou'd never have said unto this day if he had been the Writer of these words and that therefore the words were written by a much later Writer who gives an account of this matter à longissimâ primâ origine i. e. from the very ancient and first Original To which I answer First As to v. 11. For the mention of the Bed-stead Moses cannot be charged with impertinence He mentions it ad fidem faciendam and he wrote for Posterity and not barely for those who were then living Besides there might also be very many of them who never saw the Giant and to suppose it shou'd have been in Bashan proves nothing at all To affirm that this Bed-stead was not found till David's time and to cite to that purpose 2 Sam. 12.30 is to abuse the Reader for there 's no such thing to be found there Secondly As to v. 14. 'T is a lewd thing to suppose that Verse inserted by another hand and to offer no proof If there be any thing like a proof it must be fetch'd from those words Vnto this day I shall shew that there is nothing in that expression that will inferr a Writer later than Moses The Objection is in it self very unreasonable These Objectors have some pretence when they urge against Moses that he wrote of things after his time But shall he be blam'd
once The Author above-named was under no necessity of parting with this place He was too forward to part with his Divine Author when he was content to drop him upon so slight a ground To which I add the words Exod. 23.11 But the seventh thou shalt let it rest and lie still 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that the poor of thy people may eat or and the poor of thy people shall eat and what they leave 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the beast of the field shall eat Where again the first word which is a preterperfect hath the sense of a future as much as the following which is really and grammatically so Obj. VIII We read Gen. 22.14 And Abraham call'd the name of that place Jehovah-jireh as it is to this day in the mount of the Lord it shall be seen These are supposed not to be the words of Moses but of a later Writer It is pretended that this place was Mount Moriah in which the Temple was afterwards built and that it was not call'd so before such time as the Temple was built and therefore this cou'd not be written till that time which was long after the Time of Moses It is farther pretended that it is not likely that Moses shou'd write those words In the Mount of the Lord it shall be seen because the Writer of those words affirms that That proverbial Speech was used in his Time To which I answer 1. I am not concern'd whether this were the very place that was afterwards call'd Moriah or not 'T is enough to my purpose that it is not call'd Moriah even in this place Whatever affinity Men may fansie between Jehovah-jireh and Moriah 't is certain they are not one and the same Name Here 's nothing proved and we are not obliged to regard groundless Imaginations and that is all we have here offer'd to us 2. Nor is there any thing in the following words but what is very agreeable to the Time and Age of Moses For why might not this proverbial Speech be in use from the Days of Abraham to the Time of Moses Here is space enough from the Time of Abraham to that of Moses for such a Saying to become a common Saying or proverbial Speech If a later Writer might say As it is said to this day why might not Moses say it as well I confess sincerely I do not see in this Objection any thing that hath the least appearance of weight in it And shou'd have been asham'd to mention it were it not incumbent upon me in this matter to lay the Objections I meet with fairly before the Reader Obj. IX The Author of the Leviathan roundly affirms that Moses cou'd not be the Author of those words Numb 21.14 Wherefore it is said in the book of the Wars of the Lord what be did in the Red-sea and in the Brooks of Arnon But he offers no reason for this Opinion of his and therefore I do not think my self obliged to take any farther notice of him in this matter However I find that Spinosa offers something like a Reason for this Opinion and as near as I can guess here lies the Argument That Moses wrote a Book of the War against Amalek by God's Command he says is evident from Exod. 17.14 But it does not from that place appear in what Book he wrote it But in Numb 21. he adds a Book is cited call'd The Book of the Wars of the Lord and in this Book says he without doubt the War against Amalek and the several Journeys of the Israelites which were written by Moses as we find 't is said Numb 33.2 are related Hence he seems to insinuate that the Pentateuch was not written by Moses but by some other hand who cites the Writings of Moses And that therefore the Pentateuch was on this account rather written of Moses than by Him This is the most that I can make of the Pretence of this obscure Writer and after all I can see very little that needs an Answer The Place I grant is obscure and difficult but that does not prove it was not written by Moses The Place is consider'd in the following Notes to which I referr the Reader However having this Occasion offer'd me that I may not seem to neglect any thing for the farther satisfaction of the Reader I shall endeavour to explain the Matter related in Numb 21. and then shew how vain this Pretence is First As to the Matter related thus it is The Israelites had receiv'd a Command not to distress or disturb the Ammonites or Moabites in their Possessions God declaring that he wou'd not bestow their Land upon them Deut. 2. It is the business of Moses to shew that the Israelites had not broken that Law It is true it might be pretended and was pretended afterwards in the days of Jephthah that they had broken it Because upon the Conquest of Sihon and Og 't is certain that the Israelites had taken possession of those Lands which sometime belong'd to this People whom they were forbid to disturb But 't is to be consider'd that these Lands were at that time in the possession of the Amorites who had dispossessed the Ammonites and Moabites I will not so far make a digression as to shew who were the Possessors of these Lands from the Time of Abraham I shall content my self in shewing the design of Moses in this relation And that was 1. To shew when the Israelites came to the River Arnon they found it to be the Boundary or Border between Moab and the Amorites This he affirms v. 13. and confirms it out of a known Book in those Times call'd The Book of the Wars of the Lord v. 14. 2. To prove that the Country which the Israelites took from Sihon and which did formerly belong to the Moabites was quite lost from the Moabites in the time of a former King before Balak This is affirmed v. 26. And therefore Israel found Sihon in full possession of this Country This he also proves from some known and acknowledged Sayings at that time that serv'd to preserve the memory of the fact Whether it were in some Song or contain'd in some Commentary of Facts that were passed I enquire not v. 27 28 c. The words seem to imply that the victorious Amorites did express their Triumph on the score of their Victory over the Moabites in those terms which the Text lays before us This account of the design of Moses and his way of gaining that design will easily give the Reader to understand that these words must needs be obscure and difficult because we are not acquainted with the perfect History of those Times nor with the Memorials of Facts that then had hapned Secondly I proceed to shew the great Vanity of the foregoing Pretence I might very well premise that the Proofs that Moses wrote not these Books had need be very clear or else we are guilty of great Vanity in admitting them And this is far
reckoned here as coming with Jacob but as all the Souls of his House or Family 28. Judah Who had given a good proof a little before how he was concerned for his Father ch 45.18 To direct his face i. e. To shew him the way 2298. 1706. 30. Now let me die since Jacob had now obtained his desire Compare ch 45.28 and Luk. 2.29 32. Shepherds Joseph is not ashamed of his Brethren s Employment but freely acquaints Pharaoh with it though he knew that the Egyptians detested Shepherds 34. That ye may dwell in the land of Goshen In a fruitfull Country and toward the Confines of Canaan to which they were to return Far from the snares of the Court and out of the way of the Egyptians which hated them and detested that Employment For every Shepherd c. The soft Egyptians hated Men of that hardy Employment and possibly upon account of some loss from that sort of Men and upon the score of their own Superstition they detested the Employment See the Note on ch 43.32 CHAP. XLVII The ARGUMENT Joseph presents five of his Brethren to Pharaoh Jacob also appears before him The Famine encreaseth The Egyptians for Corn part with their Money and Cattel and their Land The Land of the Priests was exempted A fifth part of the encrease of the Land is reserved for Pharaoh Jacob's Age. He sweareth Joseph to bury him with his Fathers 1. THen Joseph came and told Pharaoh and said My father and my brethren and their flocks and their herds and all that they have are come out of the land of Canaan and behold they are in the land of Goshen 2. And he took some of his brethren even five men and presented them unto Pharaoh 3. And Pharaoh said unto his brethren What is your occupation And they said unto Pharaoh Thy servants are shepherds both we and also our fathers 4. They said moreover unto Pharaoh For to sojourn in the land are we come for thy servants have no pasture for their flocks for the famine is sore in the land of Canaan now therefore we pray thee let thy servants dwell in the land of Goshen 5. And Pharaoh spake unto Joseph saying Thy father and thy brethren are come unto thee 6. The land of Egypt is before thee in the best of the land make thy father and brethren to dwell in the land of Goshen let them dwell and if thou knowest any man of activity amongst them then make them rulers over my cattel 7. And Joseph brought in Jacob his father and set him before Pharaoh and Jacob blessed Pharaoh 8. And Pharaoh said unto Jacob How old art thou 9. And Jacob said unto Pharaoh The days of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years few and evil have the days of the years of my life been and have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage 10. And Jacob blessed Pharaoh and went out from before Pharaoh 11. And Joseph placed his father and his brethren and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt in the best of the land in the land of Rameses as Pharaoh had commanded 12. And Joseph nourished his father and his brethren and all his father's houshold with bread according to their families 13. And there was no bread in all the land for the famine was very sore so that the land of Egypt and all the land of Canaan fainted by reason of the famine 14. And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan for the corn which they bought and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh's house 15. And when money failed in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan all the Egyptians came unto Joseph and said Give us bread for why should we die in thy presence for the money faileth 16. And Joseph said Give your cattel and I will give you for your cattel if money fail 17. And they brought their cattel unto Joseph and Joseph gave them bread in exchange for horses and for the flocks and for the cattel of the herds and for the asses and he fed them with bread for all their cattel for that year 18. When that year was ended they came unto him the second year and said unto him We will not hide it from my lord how that our money is spent my lord also hath our herds of cattel there is not ought left in the sight of my lord but our bodies and our lands 19. Wherefore shall we die before thine eyes both we and our land buy us and our land for bread and we and our land will be servants unto Pharaoh and give us seed that we may live and not die that the land be not desolate 20. And Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh for the Egyptians sold every man his field because the famine prevailed over them so the land became Pharaoh's 21. And as for the people he removed them to cities from one end of the borders of Egypt even to the other end thereof 22. Onely the land of the priests bought he not for the priests had a portion assigned them of Pharaoh and did eat their portion which Pharaoh gave them wherefore they sold not their lands 23. Then Joseph said unto the people Behold I have bought you this day and your land for Pharaoh lo here is seed for you and ye shall sow the land 24. And it shall come to pass in the increase that you shall give the fifth part unto Pharaoh and four parts shall be your own for seed of the field and for your food and for them of your housholds and for food for your little ones 25. And they said Thou hast saved our lives let us find grace in the sight of my lord and we will be Pharaoh's servants 26. And Joseph made it a law over the land of Egypt unto this day that Pharaoh should have the fifth part except the land of the Priests onely which became not Pharaoh's 27. And Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt in the country of Goshen and they had possessions therein and grew and multiplied exceedingly 28. And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years so the whole age of Jacob was an hundred forty and seven years 29. And the time drew nigh that Israel must die and he called his son Joseph and said unto him If now I have found grace in thy sight put I pray thee thy hand under my thigh and deal kindly and truly with me bury me not I pray thee in Egypt 30. But I will lie with my fathers and thou shalt carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burying-place And he said I will do as thou hast said 31. And he said Swear unto me And he sware unto him And Israel bowed himself upon the bed's head 1. GOshen See the Note on chap. 45.10 2. Some of his brethren
thy brethren which I took out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow 1. HIS two Sons To receive his Father's blessing 2. One told It was told as the Latin and Greek have it Strengthened himself i. e. He put forth his strength and possibly when he had raised himself he supported himself by leaning upon his Staff Heb. 11.21 Bed Ch. 47.31 3. At Luz Which from God's appearing to him he called Bethel ch 28.19 God appeared to Jacob twice in that place at his going from and returning to Canaan ch 28.13 and 35.6 9. This Land Ch. 28.13 ch 35.12 For an everlasting possession Ch. 13.15 This Jacob puts Joseph in mind of both to assure him of his right to the Land of Canaan and also that his Posterity might not be unmindfull of returning thither 5. Are mine They shall be reputed as my immediate Sons and shall be Heads of Tribes and as such inherit as Reuben and Simeon my two eldest Sons Thus Joseph had a double portion 1 Chron. 5.1 the priviledge of the first-born 6. And shall be called c. i. e. They shall not be Heads of Tribes as Ephraim and Manasseh but be reckoned under those Heads and sorted among them 7. Rachel died c. See ch 35.19 This is another Motive to Joseph's Children to be mindfull of the Country where their Mother was buried 8. Who are these He discerns them not through dimness v. 10. 9. I will bless them See ch 27.4 12. His knees i. e. Jacob's See v. 10. 13. Toward Israel's right hand Joseph so placed them that Israel might lay his right hand on Manasseh the eldest The right hand being esteemed a token of the greater honour 1 Kings 2.19 Matt. 25.33 14. Laid it upon Imposition of hands was used in Blessing Compare Matt. 19.13 with Mark 10.16 Guiding his hands wittingly He did it of choice not by chance For Or although as the Hebrew Particle signifies 16. The Angel which redeemed c. i. e. Christ the Angel of the Covenant Mal. 3.1 who led the Israelites and whom they tempted Exod. 14.19 and ch 23.20 and 1 Cor. 10.19 To whom the Title of Redeemer belongs Isa 59.20 Who is called the Angel of God ch 31.11 and the God of Bethel v. 13. Grow into a multitude As Fishes do encrease Numb 26.34 37. Josh 17.17 19. Greater In number Numb 1.33 35. Deut. 33.17 In dignity This is called the Tribe of Joseph Numb 1.32 34. Rev. 7.8 and put for the whole Kingdom of Israel Isa 7.2 20. Israel bless i. e. The Israelites shall use this form of blessing one another saying God make thee c. See Ruth 4.11 12. 22. Which I took out of the hand of the Amorite c. A very probable opinion there is that Jacob bought this part which here he gives to Joseph of Shechem's Father ch 33.19 and that upon Jacob's removal after the Shechemites were destroyed ch 35.1 the Amorite took possession of it whom Jacob upon his return dispossessed by force of Arms and recovered his unquestionable Right That he did so is indeed no-where else mentioned But that is no objection against this sense of the place which is here so fairly intimated We have to this purpose sundry Examples where things are by the by related or fairly intimated to have been said or done before which yet were never mentioned before that time E. g. What is said of Anah ch 36.24 and what God had said to Moses concerning the Moabites Deut. 2.9 Of the Men of Jericho Josh 24.11 And the words of Jesus Acts 20.35 I offer for the farther clearing of this difficult place the following particulars to be considered I. That the Amorites being signal for their Idolatry are spoken of as comprehending the Hivites and other Nations under them Thus we read The iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full Gen. 15.16 Fear not the Gods of the Amorites Judg. 6.10 Thus also Ahab is said to follow Idols as did the Amorites whom the Lord cast out before the children of Israel 1 Kings 21.26 compare 2 Kings 21.11 The whole Land was reputed as the Land of the Amorites Amos 2.9 10. II. That though Jacob had purchased a piece of ground near Shechem Gen. 33.19 20. Yet Shechem it self which he here gives Joseph came to him by Conquest expressed here by Sword and Bow Josh 24.12 2 Kings 6.22 and not by Purchase He detested indeed the Violence his Sons used towards the Shechemites and did not care to come into the present possession of the place that way Yet God having promised him that Land which gave him afterwards an undoubted Title to it he gives it to Joseph here having come into the actual possession of it without any sin or fault of his own III. And therefore Jacob might insist considering what hath been said before upon his Title to this place God having given him a promise of it and thereby a good Title to it and having actually come into the possession of it by right of War without any crime of his own and might lay his claim to it and use the plea which Jephtha did Judg. 11.23 24. CHAP. XLIX The ARGUMENT Jacob drawing near the time of his Death calleth for his Sons to come to him He fore-tells many things which should happen to them after his decease He blesseth them and when he spake of Judah he predicted the Coming of the Messiah who was to be born of that Tribe He chargeth them concerning his Burial and dieth 2315. 1689. 1. AND Jacob called unto his sons and said Gather your selves together that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days 2. Gather your selves together and hear ye sons of Jacob and hearken unto Israel your father 3. Reuben thou art my first-born my might and the beginning of my strength the excellency of dignity and the excellency of power 4. Vnstable as water thou shalt not excell because thou wentest up to thy father's bed then defiledst thou it he went up to my couch 5. Simeon and Levi are brethren instruments of cruelty are in their habitations 6. O my soul come not thou into their secret unto their assembly mine honour be not thou united for in their anger they slew a man and in their self-will they digged down a wall 7. Cursed be their anger for it was fierce and their wrath for it was cruel I will divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel 8. Judah thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies thy father's children shall bow down before thee 9. Judah is a lion's whelp from the prey my son thou art gone up he stooped down he couched as a lion and as an old lion who shall rouse him up 10. The sceptre shall not depart from Judah nor a law-giver from between his feet untill Shiloh come and unto him shall the gathering of the people be 11. Binding his foal
and on that consideration were obliged in Gratitude to Obedience so not being yet possessed of Canaan they were now obliged by thâ—â—r Interest which generally takes the fastest 〈◊〉 of Mankind not to forfeit their hopes of it by their disobedience to the Law of God If we consider the Law it self we shall find it like the Author very good The Ten Commandments are laid before us ch 20. where â—â—so we are acquainted with the Consternation of the People at the solemn delivery of these laws To which is subjoined a most needfull prohibition whereby the People are warned 〈◊〉 to make WITH God Gods of Silver or Gold v. 23. and also some directions about the Altar they were to build for the service of the God of Israel v. 24 25 26. The following Precepts ch 21 22 23. God commands Moses to set before them and they are called Judgments and were political Precepts or Laws of the Country they were to govern themselves by Such are the Laws concerning Servants Man-slaughter smiting or â—â—â—sing of Parents Man-stealing Damage Theft â—â—d Restitution Falsewitness Bribery c. where we find great Equity commended and Charity as well as Justice And many of those laws are but the several Branches of the Ten Commandments and fairly reducible as such to those Precepts After which God promiseth to send an Angel before them and requires their Obedience to him and exhorts them thereunto After this we have an account of the calling of Moses up into the Mountain of his writing of this Law of God called afterwards The Book of the Covenant of his building an Altar and causing Sacrifices to be slain and solemnly entring the People into a Covenant to obey this Law which had been made known to them Upon which Moses is called up into the Mountain promised Tables of Stone and continued in the Mount forty Days and forty Nights ch 24. Thus did things stand between God and the Israelites He had given his Law a great and peculiar favour this was and they had not only promised Obedience but had solemnly entred into Covenant to make their promise good In such an happy case were this People now whose God was the Lord. For the farther assurance of the Israelites that he would dwell among them and direct them in their Religious Worship of Himself he lets Moses know that it was his pleasure that a Sanctuary should be built and that the People should freely offer Materials for this Work the pattern whereof he would shew him in the Mount And accordingly he receives directions concerning this Sanctuary and its Instruments He is directed as to the Ark the Mercy-seat and Cherubims the Table of Shew-bread the Candlestick the several Curtains Covering Boards of the Tabernacle the Altar and Courts c. thereunto belonging ch 25 26 27. Aaron and his Sons are also set apart for the Priest's Office The Holy Garments are prescribed and the Ceremonies of their Consecration appointed and God promiseth to dwell among that People and to be their God ch 29.45 Care is also taken about the Altar of Incense and of the ransom-Money of the brazen Laver the anointing Oyl and Perfume Bezaleel and Aholiab are appointed for the Work of the Tabernacle and Moses receives the two Tables of Stone written with the Finger of God ch 31. Whiles Moses continues in the Mount when God had done such great things for Israel and was designing for them farther pledges of his Favour the People fell into a great sin God had expressly forbidden the Worship of any Image or the making WITH Him any Gods of Silver or Gold Exod. 20. They not regarding this Law prevailed with Aaron in the absence of Moses to make them Gods as they worded it to go before them Upon which Aaron makes them a Golden Calf which the People worshipped WITH God For 't is not credible that they had intirely renounced the true God which had done such Wonders for them Upon this is God greatly displeased with the People and Moses casts down the Tables of Stone and breaks them many of the People were destroyed and God lets them know his great displeasure for their grievous fault ch 32. For hereupon God refuseth to go with thiâ— People as he had promised upon condition of their Obedience ch 23.22 and Moses removes his Tent out of the Camp and the Pillar of Cloud followed him But Moses intercedes for the People and begs God's Presence and that he would shew him his Way and his Glory which Intercession and Request of Moses God favourably accepts ch 33. Upon this Moses is commanded to hew two Tables of Stone and God promises to write on them as he had on the former Moses is called into the Mount whither he goes with the two Tables The Name of God is there proclaimed being full of Mercy and Benignity upon which Moses intercedes for the People and God Covenants with them and puts them in mind of their duty in several instances Moses stays in the Mount forty Days and forty Nights fasting comes down with the two Tables with his Face shining and commands the People to obey God in keeping the Sabbath ch 34 and 35. v. 2. After this Interruption occasioned by the worshipping of the Golden Calf and what followed thereupon Moses gives order to the People to bring in Materials according to their Free-will towards the building of the Tabernacle Upon which the People brought in their Free-offerings which were delivered to those who were to be imployed in that Work And this they did with that alacrity and in such plenty that it was thought convenient to restrain them they having brought in Materials more than enough ch 35 36. And now the Workmen apply themselves to the building the Tabernacle and making all the Instruments thereof according to the Pattern delivered to Moses in the Mount And we have a very particular account hereof ch 36 37 and 38. The Clothes of service and the Priests Vestments are also made and all these are brought to Moses who approved of them and blessed the People ch 39. The Tabernacle being finished Moses receives a command to set it up and to set it a-part by â—â—ointing it as also to cloath Aaron and his Sons and to anoint them for the Office of the Priesthood which was accordingly done Upon which a Cloud covered the Tent of the Congregation and the Glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle ch 40. This is a short account of the subject matter of this Book of Moses called Exodus and as it gives a sufficient account why the Book is so called so it does abundantly commend the Book it self to the Reader 's greatest care and diligence And indeed this Holy Book well â—â—serves our very serious perusal and will make us a sufficient recompence for our pains therein For First Here is great variety of Argument to â—â—tertain us with If History will entertain us here is a most remarkable one Here we have the History of
Zipporah his daughter 22. And she bare him a son and he called his name Gershom for he said I have been a stranger in a strange land 23. And it came to pass in process of time that the king of Egypt died and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage and they cried and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage 24. And God heard their groaning and God remembred his covenant with Abraham with Isaac and with Jacob. 25. And God looked upon the children of Israel and God had respect unto them 1. A Man Called Amram Exod 6.20 Numb 26.59 A daughter of Levi Her name was Jochebed and she was Amram's Father's Sister Exod. 6.20 The Family of Israel was as yet small and the Law of Marriages not yet given This was afterward forbid Lev. 18.12 2. A goodly child A beautifull Child Heb. 11.23 Act. 7.20 See Joseph Antiqu. l. 2. c. 5. 4. His sister viz. Miriam Exod. 15.20 5. The daughter of Pharaoh Called Thermuthis by Josephus 6. This is one of the Hebrews children She might very well thus judge not onely because he was circumcised as the Hebrews were but because she saw him thus exposed for fear of being discovered and killed according to the King's Command 7. His sister Who had placed her self so as she might see what became of her Brother 8. Go She was the more inclined not onely because the Child was beautifull but because she had none of her own as Josephus tells us 10. Her son Her adopted Son as the Vulgar hath it She called his name Moses i. e. Drawnout from a word that signifies to draw out See Ps 18.16 Josephus likewise tells us That Moses even among the Egyptians did signifie one saved from the Waters 11. Grown Not onely in Stature of which v. 10. but in Strength and Years He was now full forty years old Act. 7.23 12. He slew the Egyptian His example is not to be imitated by us who do not know what his Authority was However Moses supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them Act. 7.25 13. The second day i. e. The next day Act. 7.26 14. A prince Heb. a Man a Prince A ruler and a judge Act. 7.27 16. Priest Or Prince It is very possible he might be both Priest Prince also See Gen. 47.22 17. Drove them away Them i. e. not the Daughters it being the Masculin Gender in the Hebr. but the Flocks or some Servants who were under these Daughters 18. Reuel their father Reuel was Jethro's Father and their Grandfather And Jethro was also called Hobab See Numb 10.29 Judg. 4.11 It is usual in the Scripture to call the Grandfather Father See Gen. 24.48 V. M. B. Israel Concil in Exod. qu. 1. 21. Zipporah his daughter i. e. The Daughter of Jethro See the Greek v. 16. 22. Gershom Ch. 18.3 the former part of which word signifies a Stranger in the Hebr. 24. Covenant Gen. 15.14 and 46.4 25. God had respect unto them Heb. Knew them God had a mercifull regard to them See the Chaldee and Psal 1.6.31.7 CHAP. III. The ARGUMENT Moses keeps the Flock of Jethro and comes to Horeb. The burning Bush not consumed Moses is appointed by God to deliver the Children of Israel out of Egypt Of the Name of God The Message of Moses God fore-tells the Event or Success of his undertaking 1. NOW Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father-in-law the priest of Midian and he led the flock to the back-side of the desart and came to the mountain of God even to Horeb. 2. And the Angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush and be looked and behold the bush burned with fire and the bush was not consumed 3. And Moses said I will now turn aside and see this great sight why the bush is not burnt 4. And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see God called unto him out of the midst of the bush and said Moses Moses And he said Here am I. 5. And he said Draw not nigh hither put off thy shooes from off thy feet for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground 6. Moreover he said I am the God of thy father the God of Abraham the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face for he was afraid to look upon God 7. And the LORD said I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt and have heard their cry by reason of their task-masters for I know their sorrows 8. And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large unto a land flowing with milk and honey unto the place of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jeâ—â—sites 9. Now therefore behold the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them 10. Come now therefore and I will send thee unto Pharaoh that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt 11. And Moses said unto God Who am I that I should go unto Pharaoh and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt 12. And he said Certainly I will be with thee and this shall be a token unto thee that I have sent thee When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt ye shall serve God upon this mountain 13. And Moses said unto God Behold when I come unto the children of Israel and shall say unto them The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you and they shall say to me What is his name What shall I say unto them 14. And God said unto Moses I AM THAT I AM And he said Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel I AM hath sent me unto you 15. And God said moreover unto Moses Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel The LORD God of your fathers the God of Abraham the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob hath sent me unto you this is my name for ever and this is my memorial unto all generations 16. Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say unto them The LORD God of your fathers the God of Abraham of Isaac and of Jacob appeared unto me saying I have surely visited you and seen that which is done to you in Egypt 17. And I have said I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt unto the land of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites unto a land flowing with milk and honey 18. And they shall hearken to thy voice and thou shalt come thou and the elders of Israel unto the king of Egypt and you shall say
unto him The LORD God of the Hebrews hath met with us and now let us go we beseech thee three days journey into the wilderness that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God 19. And I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go no not by a mighty hand 20. And I will stretch out my hand and smite Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in the midst thereof and after that he will let you go 21. And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians and it shall come to pass that when ye go ye shall not go empty 22. But every woman shall borrow of her neighbour and of her that sojourneth in her house jewels of silver and jewels of gold and â—eâ—ment and ye shall put them upon your sons and upon your daughters and ye shall spoil the Egyptians 1. THE Priest of Midian He succeeded his Father See ch 2.16 Who it is probable was now dead this being forty years after Moses came to Midian Act. 7.30 Back-side of the desart i. e. A great way into the desart See the Vulgar Latin Mountain of God i. e. The Mountain where the glory of God was revealed says the Chaldee Horeb So called probably from the dryness of the place Deut. 8.15 The same with Sinai See Act. 7.30 2. In a flame See Act. 7.30 Bush From the Hebrew word Sinai seems to have been called Not consumed This was a fit representation of the condition of the Israelites in Egypt who were greatly afflicted but not consumed there 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Phil. Jud. Vit. Mosis l. 1. i. e. The burning Bush was a Symbol or Representation of the oppressed and the flaming Fire of the oppressors That what was burning was not consumed did portend says the same Author that those who were afflicted by the violence of their enemies should not perish and that the attempt of their enemies should be frustrated and that the present troubles of the afflicted should have a good end 3. Not burnt i. e. Not burnt up 4. Moses Moses To raise his attention 5. Put off thy shooes Vid. Josh 5.17 Act. 7.33 As a token of humility and reverence 2 Sam. 15.30 Isa 20.2 4. Hence the Jews in after-times thought themselves obliged to put off their Shooes when they went into the Sanctuary Maimon Beth Hab-bechirah c. 7. vid. Eccles 5.1 Holy ground By God's appearing there it was separated from common use and so was to be esteemed vid. 2 Pet. 1.18 6. I am the God of c. Matt. 22.32 Act. 7.32 To look upon God i. e. To look upon that glorious appearance by which God manifested himself See the Chaldee 8. And a large Not very large in it self but yet large in respect to their dwelling in Goshen and big enough to receive all the Israelites Milk and honey A Land of great plenty See Deut. 8.7 8 9. 12. This shall be a token Or this i. e. the appearance in the Bush v. 2. is a token unto thee that I have sent thee Vpon this mountain This was verified afterward at the giving of the Law And this was a farther token that Moses was sent by God Isa 7.14 13. What is his name The Israelites are supposed to inquire more particularly of the Nature of that God who appeared to and sent Moses God and his Name are one and the Name of God is put for God himself 14. I AM THAT I AM i. e. He whose Being is from himself necessary and indefectible Who was and is and will be Revel 16.5 This imports God's Essence and that whereas the Egyptian Gods were but Creatures the God of Israel was the eternal Being That they may learn the difference says one of the Ancients between that which is and that which is not And that no Name can properly be given to me to whom alone it appertains to be Phil. Jud. de Vit. Mos l. 1. An Idol is nothing the Egyptian Deities were but Creatures the God of Israel the eternal Being I AM It may be rendred as may the former words I will be As God is so He will be And this belongs to him alone no Creature can say I will be 15. My memorial Whereby I will be mentioned Hos 12.5 Psal 135.13 18. Three days journey i. e. To Horeb v. 12. Pharaoh was to be tried with this request 19. No not by a mighty hand Or but by a strong hand And to this sense the words are rendred by the Vulgar Latin and the LXII See v. 20. 22. Borrow Or ask and beg For so the Hebrew word signifies Judg. 8.24 And then the Jewels c. were given rather than lent And this speaks the great kindness of the Egyptians to the Israelites at their departure according to what is said v. 20. I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians And thus Josephus relates it who says That they honoured the Hebrews with gifts Some to hasten their departure and others upon the account of their neighbourly conversation vid. ch 11.2 and 12.35 Spoil Or Empty as the Chaldee hath it i. e. You shall leave them in a condition like those that are spoiled The Egyptians Or Egypt See the Notes on ch 11.2 CHAP. IV. The ARGUMENT Moses is enabled to do marvellous Works to gain belief that he is sent by God He pleads his want of Eloquence God promiseth his assistance and appoints Aaron also as his Assistant Moses leaves Jethro and with his Wife and Sons makes towards Egypt He is instructed how to apply to Pharaoh for the deliverance of his People His Son is circumcised He meeteth Aaron The Israelites give them credence and own the good Providence of God appearing toward their deliverance 1. AND Moses answered and said But behold they will not believe me nor hearken unto my voice for they will say The LORD hath not appeared unto thee 2. And the LORD said unto him What is that in thine hand And he said A rod. 3. And he said Cast it on the ground and he cast it on the ground and it became a serpent and Moses fled from before it 4. And the LORD said unto Moses Put forth thine hand and take it by the tail And he put forth his hand and caught it and it became a rod in his hand 5. That they may believe that the LORD God of their fathers the God of Abraham the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob hath appeared unto thee 6. And the LORD said furthermore unto him Put now thine hand into thy bosom and he put his hand into his bosom and when he took it out behold his hand was leprous as snow 7. And he said Put thine hand into thy bosom again and he put his hand into his bosom again and plucked it out of his bosom and behold it was turned again as his other flesh 8. And it shall come to pass if they will not believe thee neither
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
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
said unto Moses Stretch out thine hand over the sea that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians upon their chariots and upon their horse-men 27. And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared and the Egyptians fled against it and the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea 28. And the waters returned and covered the chariots and the horse-men and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them there remained not so much as one of them 29. But the children of Israel walked upon dry-land in the midst of the sea and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand and on their left 30. Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea-shore 31. And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians and the people feared the LORD and believed the LORD and his servant Moses 2. Pihahiroth Numb 33.7 This is the mouth or passage of Hiroth Vid. Numb 33.8 And it should seem from Josephus that Hiroth was a mountainous and steep place For he tells us that the Egyptians shut up the Hebrews that they could not escape between steep Mountains on the one hand and the Sea on the other Vid. Joseph Ant. l. 2. c. 6. Abravanel will have Pihahiroth to referr to a Village from whence the Red sea falls into a Chanâ—â—â— called Hiroth Be it as it will the Hebrews are in a strait Between Migdol and the Sea Migdol signifies a strong Fort. And this speaks the strait in which the Hebrews were having the Sea on one side and a strong Fort to receive their Enemies on the other Baal-zephon This seems to be the place of an Idol called Baal and Abravenel tells us it stood on the North-side of Migdol And then it might for that cause be called Zephon that word signifying the North. 3. Intangled They are perplexed 4. Honoured By the just destruction of the Egyptians Vid. Levit. 10.3 8. With an high hand Openly and boldly and in good order not like Fugitives ch 13.18 9. Egyptians Vid. Josh 24.6 1 Mac. 4.9 12. Is not this Ch. 6.9 13. And Moses said c. There is a Tradition among the Jews that the people in this great strait were divided into four several Sects and Opinions The first were for running into the Sea The second for returning into Egypt The third for fighting the Egyptians The fourth for lifting up their Voice and by their Shrieks and Out-cries confounding their Enemies And that Moses speaks to the People with respect to their divided Opinions To the first in these words Fear ye not stand still and see the Salvation of the Lord. To the second he said For the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day ye shall see them again no more for ever To the third The Lord shall fight for you To the fourth And ye shall hold your peace Vid. Targ. Jon. Hierosol in loc For the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day Or For whereas you have seen the Egyptians to day i. e. They should not see the Egyptians as they had seen them namely alive v. 30. See the Greek 15. Wherefore cryest thou unto me God reproves not his Prayer but directs him to the work he was to do He having heard his Prayer See the Chaldee 19. The Angel of the LORD See the Notes on ch 13.21 20. And it was c. It being but one and the same See ch 13.22 21. Divided Josh 4.23 Psal 114.3 22. The children Psal 78.13 1 Cor. 10.1 Heb. 11.29 25. That they drave them heavily Or And made them to go heavily 27. Overthrew Heb. Shook off God sent upon them Showers Thunder Lightning and Thunder-bolts says Josephus Vid. ch 15.10 Psal 77.17 18. 28. One Psal 106.11 31. Work Heb. Hand And his servant Moses They believed Moses as a Servant of God CHAP. XV. The ARGUMENT The Song of Moses Miriam and other Women express their joy with Timbrels and Dances The Israelites come to the Wilderness of Shur and want Water They murmur The Waters of Marah made sweet The Israelites come to Elim 1. THen sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD and spake saying I will sing unto the LORD for he hath triumphed gloriously the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea 2. The LORD is my strength and song and he is become my salvation he is my God and I will prepare him an habitation my father's God and I will exalt him 3. The LORD is a man of war the LORD is his name 4. Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea 5. The depths have covered them they sank into the bottom as a stone 6. Thy right hand O LORD is become glorious in power thy right hand O LORD hath dashed in pieces the enemy 7. And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee thou sentest forth thy wrath which consumed them as stubble 8. And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together the flouds stood upright as an heap and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea 9. The enemy said I will pursue I will overtake I will divide the spoil my lust shall be satisfied upon them I will draw my sword my hand shall destroy them 10. Thou didst blow with thy wind the sea covered them they sank as lead in the mighty waters 11. Who is like unto thee O LORD amongst the gods who is like thee glorious in holiness fearfull in praises doing wonders 12. Thou stretchedst out thy right hand the earth swallowed them 13. Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation 14. The people shall hear and be afraid sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina 15. Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed the mighty men of Moab trembling shall take hold upon them all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away 16. Fear and dread shall fall upon them by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone till thy people pass over O LORD till the people pass over which thou hast purchased 17. Thou shalt bring them in and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance in the place O LORD which thou hast made for thee to dwell in in the sanctuary O LORD which thy hands have established 18. The LORD shall reign for ever and ever 19. For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea and the LORD brought again the waters of the sea upon them but the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea 20. And Miriam the prophetess the sister of
the Sabbath day which they confine to two thousand Cubits Numb 35.5 This space is a Sabbath days Journey Act. 1.12 31. Taste of it c. This was the taste of it unprepared when it was prepared it had another taste viz. the taste of fresh Oyl Num. 11.8 34. Laid it up When the Tabernacle was after this built 35. Forty yâ—â—s c. Josh 5.12 Neh. 9.15 36. An omer is the tenth part of an ephah The Ephah contained of our Measure very near a Bushel three Seaâ—s Vid. LXXII and Onkel and the Omer here is the tenth part The Homer which is mentioned Ezek. 45.11 is not the same measure with the Omer here and is otherwise written in the Hebrew CHAP. XVII The ARGUMENT The Israelites come to Rephidim They murmur for want of Water God sends them Water out of a Rock Amalek fights against the Israelites Joshua encounters them Moses goes up to the top of an Hill and holds up his Hands Whiles â—e did so the Israelites prevail against Amalek God threatens Amalek An Altar built JEHOVAH-nissi 1. AND all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin after their journeys according to the commandment of the LORD and pitched in Rephidim and there was no water for the people to drink 2. Wherefore the people did chide with Moses and said Give us water that we may drink And Moses said unto them Why chide you with me wherefore do ye tempt the LORD 3. And the people thirsted there for water and the people murmured against Moses and said Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt to kill us and our children and our cattel with thirst 4. And Moses cried unto the LORD saying What shall I do unto this people they be almost ready to stone me 5. And the LORD said unto Moses Go on before the people and take with thee of the elders of Israel and thy rod wherewith thou smotest the river take in thine hand and go 6. Behold I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Hâ—reb and thou shalt fruite the rochâ—â—â—ed there shall come water out of it that the people may drink And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel 7. And he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah because of the chiding of the children of Israel and because they tempted the LORD saying Is the LORD among us or not 8. Then came Amalek and fought with Israel in Rephidim 9. And Moses said unto Joshua Choose us out men and go out fight with Amalek to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand 10. So Joshua did as Moses had said to him and fought with Amalek and Moses Aaron and Hur went up to the top of the hill 11. And it came to pass when Moses held up his hand that Israel prevailed and when he let down his hand Amalek prevailed 12. But Moses hands were heavy and they took a stone and put it under him and he sat thereon and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands the one on the one side and the other on the other side and his hands were steady untill the going down of the sun 13. And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword 14. And the LORD said unto Moses Write this for a memorial in a book and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven 15. And Moses built an altar and called the name of it JEHOVAH-nissi 16. For he said because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation 1. AFter their journeys Which Journeys are elsewhere more particularly related Num. 33.12 13 14. 2. Wherefore V. Num. 20.4 Wherefore do ye tempt the LORD i. e. Wherefore do ye by your distrust and discontent question the Power and Care of the Lord Vid. Matt. 16.1 Psal 78.18 19. See v. 7. 4. Cried i. e. Prayed as he was wont to do in straits c. 14.15 c. 15.25 5. The elders As competent witnesses of the wonderfull Power of God Vid. c. 3.16 Thou smotest c. 7.20 6. Behold Num. 20.9 Ps 78.15 and 105.41 Wisd 11.4 1 Cor. 10.4 I will stand i. e. The Pillar of Cloud the sign of my Presence among you shall stand upon the Rock c. Water out of it Though the Rock were unlikely to afford it This speaks the Power of God and does also represent Christ and the Benefits which we receive by him 1 Cor. 10.4 Joh. 7.37 7. Massah That is tentation Meribah That is chiding or strife Is the LORD c. See the Notes on v. 2. 8. Then came Deut. 25.17 Wisd 11.3 Amalek i. e. The Amalekites who were descended from Amalek one of the Sons of Eliphaz the first-born of Esau Gen. 36.15 16. 9. Joshua Called Jesus Act. 7.45 10. Hur A Man of great note and authority and possibly the Head of the Tribe of Judah at this time V. c. 24.14 1 Chron. 2.19 Josephus adds That he was the Husband of Miriam 11. Held up his hand i. e. His Hands as appears from v. 12. and that with the Rod of God v. 9. the sign of God's Power The lifting up of Hands is an Expression of Prayer Psal 28.2 1 Tim. 2.8 And this passage does fitly express to us the efficacy of fervent Prayer to God 12. His hands were steady They were stretched out in prayer says the Chaldee He hold the Rod the ensign of God's Power in his Hand The word we render steady does in the Hebrew import faith and this may well express the Faith of Moses in the Power of God and commend to us the Prayer of Faith Jam. 1.6 Matt. 21.22 14. In a book This was done Deut. 25.17 18 19. Of Joshua Who was to succeed to Moses and to fight the Lord's Battels I will utterly put out the remembrance c. In due time I will destroy their Memory Vid. Deut. 25.17 1 Sam. 15.7 c. 30.17 2 Sam. 8.12 Esth 9.14 15. An altar Vnto the Lord say the Greek The name of it Or The name of Him that is of the Lord. JEHOVAH-nissi That is The Lord my Banner He who enabled me to fight and get the Victory Moses built an Altar and thereon served before the Lord who wrought wonders for him says the Chaldee 16. Because c. Or Because the hand of Amalek is against the throne of the Lord. The LORD hath sworn Heb. The hand upon the throne of the Lord. The reason of this variety is from this that the lifting up the Hand and especially towards Heaven the Throne of God was used in swearing and no wonder that the sign should be put for the thing signified See Gen. 14.22 Rev. 10.5 6. CHAP. XVIII The ARGUMENT Jethro comes to Moses and brings with him the Wife and two Sons of Moses He acquaints him with what God had done
for the Israelites Jethro rejoiceth at it and adviseth Moses to teach the People Laws and to appoint Judges among the People Moses follows the Advice of Jethro who afterward departed from him 1. WHEN Jethro the priest of Midian Moses's father-in-law heard of all that God had done for Moses and for Israel his people and that the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt 2. Then Jethro Moses's father-in-law took Zipporah Moses's wife after he had sent her back 3. And her two sons of which the name of the one was Gershom for he said I have been an alien in a strange land 4. And the name of the other was Eliezer for the God of my father said he was my help and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh 5. And Jethro Moses's father-in-law came with his sons and his wife unto Moses into the wilderness where he encamped at the mount of God 6. And he said unto Moses I thy father-in-law Jethro am come unto thee and thy wife and her two sons with her 7. And Moses went out to meet his father-in-law and did obeisance and kissed him and they asked each other of their welfare and they came into the tent 8. And Moses told his father-in-law all that the LORD had done unto Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel's sake and all the travail that had come upon them by the way and how the LORD delivered them 9. And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the LORD had done to Israel whom he had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians 10. And Jethro said Blessed be the LORD who hath delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of Pharaoh who hath delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians 11. Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly he was above them 12. And Jethro Moses's father-in-law took a burnt-offering and sacrifices for God And Aaron came and all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses's father-in-law before God 13. And it came to pass on the morrow that Moses sat to judge the people and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening 14. And when Moses's father-in-law saw all that be did to the people he said What is this thing that thou doest to the people Why sittest thou thy self alone and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even 15. And Moses said unto his father-in-law Because the people come unto me to enquire of God 16. When they have a matter they come unto me and I judge between one and another and I do make them know the statutes of God and his laws 17. And Moses's father-in-law said unto him The thing that thou doest is not good 18. Thou wilt surely wear away both thou and this people that is with thee for this thing is too heavy for thee thou art not able to perform it thy self alone 19. Hearken now unto my voice I will give thee counsel and God shall be with thee be thou for the people to Godward that thou mayest bring the causes unto God 20. And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk and the work that they must do 21. Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men such as fear God men of truth hating covetousness and place such ever them to be rulers of thousands and rulers of hundreds rulers of fifties and rulers of tens 22. And let them judge the people at all seasons and it shall be that every great matter they shall bring unto thee but every small matter they shall judge so shall it be easier for thy self and they shall bear the burden with thee 23. If thou shalt do this thing and God command thee so then thou shalt be able to endure and all this people shall also go to their place in peace 24. So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said 25. And Moses chose able men out of all Israel and made them heads over the people rulers of thousands rulers of hundreds rulers of fifties and rulers of tens 26. And they judged the people at all seasons the hard causes they brought unto Moses but every small matter they judged themselves 27. And Moses let his father-in-law depart and he went his way into his own land 1. JEthro Vid. Chap. 2.16 2. After he had sent her back That is After Moses had sent her back from the Inn when he was going into Egypt Vid. Chap. 4.24 25. 3. Name Ch. 2.22 Gershom That is A stranger there 4. Eliezer That is My God is an help 5. At the mount of God The Mountain on which the glory of God was revealed says the Chaldee This was Horeb where God gave his Law Exod. 3.1 Deut. 5.2 6. He said He sent Messengers that in his name told Moses of his coming Vid. Matth. 8.5 compared with Luk. 7.3 7. Welfare Heb. Peace 8. Come upon them Heb. Found them 9. Hand i. e. The Dominion or Tyranny as the Chaldee hath it 11. For in the thing c. Ch. 1.10 16 22. and 5.7 and 14.18 The Egyptians justly suffered for their Pride and Arrogance and God did defeat them in their Designs and inflicted on them that very evil which they designed to afflict the Israelites with Compare ch 1.22 with ch 22.29 and ch 14.28 12. Sacrifices i. e. Other Sacrifices for no man might eat of the Burnt-offering it being intirely offered up Lev. 1.9 whereas in Peace-offerings the Priest and People had their share Lev. 7.14 Deut. 27.7 Before God Before the glory of God appearing in the Cloud and possibly before the Tabernacle For there are those that think that this passage of Jethro's coming to Moses related in this Chapter did happen in the following year after the Law was given and the Tabernacle erected And that Opinion is grounded upon what we read v. 12. and v. 16. compared with Deut. 1.9 Numb 10.29 30. 15. To enquire of God i. e. To enquire of the mind of God in things which were doubtfull This they did by consulting his Servant and Prophet 16. One and another Heb. A man and his fellow 18. Thou wilt surely wear away Heb. Fading thou wilt fade Thou art not c. Deut. 1.9 19. To God-ward Seeking instruction from the presence of God says the Chaldee This Counsel Moses followed Num. 15.34 35. and ch 27.5 21. Hating covetousness Or Hating gain and free from the love of riches 26. At all seasons i. e. At all occasions and times when they were not forbid by some other superior Law whereby they were obliged to attend upon God's more immediate worship CHAP. XIX The ARGUMENT The Israelites come to Sinai Moses goes up into the Mount and receives a Message to the People which he delivers and returns their Answer unto God He is commanded to Sanctifie the People
right Shoulder Maimon Kel Hammikd c. 9. 11. With the work c. Wisd 18.24 12. For a memorial Both with reference to God v. 29. and also to the Priest who was thereby put in mind of the concerns of the people 13. Ouches To receive the Chains v. 14. 15. Breast-plate of Judgment A Garment upon the Breast of the High Priest which he then did wear when in doubtfull cases he was consulted and acquainted them who consulted with the Will of God Numb 27.21 See v. 30. of this Chapter 17. Set in it settings of Stone Heb. Fill in it fillings of Stone Sardius Or Ruby 20. Enclosings Heb. Fillings 21. According to their names It is not said according to their birth as it is v. 10. And perhaps the order of their encamping might be observed here as Abravenel on the place would have it 30. The Vrim and the Thummim The Hebrew words import perfection and light And as they are applied to good life and doctrine they are good attendants upon those who minister in holy things But what the matter and form of the Vrim and Thummim were which are supposed to be made ready to be put in the Breast-plate is not to be known 31. Robe Or long Garment down to the ground See the Greek and Revel 1.13 33. Hem Or Skirts 35. And it c. Ecclus. 45.9 36. A Plate Which was two fingers broad and reached from one Ear to the other going over the Forehead of the Priest says Maimon HOLINESS TO THE LORD By which the High Priest was taught to look upon himself as separated to the Service of God as well as from thence to esteem himself obliged to serve God with great care and reverence 38. Bear c. i. e. That he may procure God's pardon for the People's Errors in the Service of God In this the High Priest was a fit type of Christ 1 Pet. 2.24 41. Consecrate them Heb. Fill their hand 42. Their nakedness Heb. Flesh of their nakedness Reach Heb. Be. 43. That they bear not iniquity i. e. That they bear not the punishment due for their Sin Hence the Jews teach that the Priest who ministers and wants some of the Garments here prescribed is to be reputed as no Priest deserves death and that the Sacrifice which he offers up is rendered profane Maim H. Kele Hammikd c. 10. CHAP. XXIX The ARGUMENT The Sacrifice and Ceremonies of Consecrating the Priests Of the Bullock for a Sin-offering Of the Ram for a Burnt-offering Of the Ram of Consecration and the Wave-offering The Wave-breast and Heave-shoulder reserved to Aaron and his Sons for the future Aaron's Sons who shall succeed him are to be anointed and consecrated in his Vestments Aaron and his Sons are to eat of the Ram of Consecration c. This Consecration to continue seven days The Atonement for the Altar The continual Burnt-offering 1. AND this is the thing that thou shalt do unto them to hallow them to minister unto me in the priest's office Take one young bullock and two rams without blemish 2. And unleavened bread and cakes unleavened tempered with oyl and wafers unleavened anointed with oyl of wheaten flour shalt thou make them 3. And thou shalt put them into one basket and bring them in the basket with the bullock and the two rams 4. And Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation and shalt wash them with water 5. And thou shalt take the garments and put upon Aaron the coat and the robe of the ephod and the ephod and the breast-plate and gird him with the curious girdle of the ephod 6. And thou shalt put the mitre upon his head and put the holy crown upon the mitre 7. Then shalt thou take the anointing oyl and pour it upon his head and anoint him 8. And thou shalt bring his sons and put coats upon them 9. And thou shalt gird them with girdles Aaron and his sons and put the bonnets on them and the priest's office shall be theirs for a perpetual statute and thou shalt consecrate Aaron and his sons 10. And thou shalt cause a bullock to be brought before the tabernacle of the congregation and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the bullock 11. And thou shalt kill the bullock before the LORD by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation 12. And thou shalt take of the blood of the bullock and put it upon the horns of the altar with thy finger and pour all the blood beside the bottom of the altar 13. And thou shalt take all the fat that covereth the inwards and the caul that is above the liver and the two kidneys and the fat that is upon them and burn them upon the altar 14. But the flesh of the bullock and his skin and his dung shalt thou burn with fire without the camp it is a sin-offering 15. Thou shalt also take one ram and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the ram 16. And thou shalt slay the ram and thou shalt take his blood and sprinkle it round about upon the altar 17. And thou shalt cut the ram in pieces and wash the inwards of him and his legs and put them unto his pieces and unto his head 18. And thou shalt burn the whole ram upon the altar it is a burnt-offering unto the LORD it is a sweet savour an offering made by fire unto the LORD 19. And thou shalt take the other ram and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the ram 20. Then shalt thou kill the ram and take of his blood and put it upon the tip of the right ear of Aaron and upon the tip of the right ear of his sons and upon the thumb of their right hand and upon the great toe of their right foot and sprinkle the blood upon the altar round about 21. And thou shalt take of the blood that is upon the altar and of the anointing oyl and sprinkle it upon Aaron and upon his garments and upon his sons and upon the garments of his sons with him and he shall be hallowed and his garments and his sons and his son's garments with him 22. Also thou shalt take of the ram the fat and the rump and the fat that covereth the inwards and the caul above the liver and the two kidneys and the fat that is upon them and the right shoulder for it is a ram of consecration 23. And one loaf of bread and one cake of oyled bread and one wafer out of the basket of the unleavened bread that is before the LORD 24. And thou shalt put all in the hands of Aaron and in the hands of his sons and shalt wave them for a wave-offering before the LORD 25. And thou shalt receive them of their hands and burn them upon the altar for a burnt-offering for a sweet savour before the LORD it is an
go up unto the LORD peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin 31. And Moses returned unto the LORD and said Oh this people have sinned a great sin and have made them gods of gold 32. Yet now if thou wilt forgive their sin and if not blot me I pray thee out of thy book which thou hast written 33. And the LORD said unto Moses whosoever hath sinned against me him will I blot out of my book 34. Therefore now go lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee Behold mine angel shall go before thee Nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them 35. And the LORD plagued the people because they made the calf which Aaron made 1. THE People Not all the People but a considerable part of them See v. 26. and 1 Cor. 10.7 Vnto Aaron Or against Aaron 'T is very probable that they came in a very tumultuous and violent manner v. 22. Vp make us Gods c. Act. 7.40 They desire an Image or visible Symbol of the Divinity which might at their pleasure go before them Moses having been absent some considerable time and the Pillar which was wont to go before them having during that time stood still 2. Golden Ear-rings Possibly those very Jewels which the Egyptians had furnished them with at their departure out of Egypt ch 12.35 These Ear-rings were materials of Idolatry both now and before and after this time Gen. 35.4 Judg. 8.24 4. And c. 1 King 12.28 Psal 106.19 Thy Gods Or thy God Nehem. 9.18 They Worshipped God by this Image v. 5. which yet does not excuse them from Idolatry Act. 7.41 1 Cor. 10.7 Exod. 20.4 5. 5. To the LORD To Jehovah but yet the Calf by which Jehovah is Worshipped is called an Idol Act. 7.41 6. People 1 Cor. 10.7 Play This mirth was an attendant upon their Idolatrous Worship and is expressed by a word in the Hebrew that is sometimes applied to Whoredom Idolatry being esteemed a spiritual Whoredom or Fornication Gen. 39.17 7. Go Deut. 9.12 Thy people They have no right to be called God's people 8. They have Deut. 9.8 9. I have seen c. Ch. 33.3 Deut. 9.13 10. Let me alone c. i. e. Do not pray or intercede for them as the Chaldee hath it 11. And Moses c. Psal 106.23 The LORD Heb. The face of the LORD 12. Wherefore Numb 14.13 13. I will multiply Gen. 12.7 and 15.7 and 48.16 14. Repented c. He was appeased and turned from the Evil as the Vulgar and Chaldee have it 15. On both their sides i. e. On the two fore-sides 16. Tables Ch. 31.18 17. Shouted In the mirth mentioned v. 6. 18. Being overcome Heb. Weakness Sing Play says the Chaldee Moses being before instructed v. 7. discerned it not to be the voice of conquering or conquered People but of those who rejoiced or sang as Men were wont to do in Festivals and the Dancing attending upon them Vid. Psal 68.25 Judg. 21.19 21. 19. Brake them c. The People having first broken their Covenant with God 20. And he took c. Deut. 9.21 Burnt it He melted it probably and by that means he first destroyed the form or figure of the Calf Ground it to powder And did by this destroy the whole Compages of it and expose the Vanity of the Idol Drink c. And by this means Moses utterly destroyed all the reliques of this Idolatry Deut. 7.25 There is an Opinion among the Jews that this drink was like the Water of Jealousie Numb 5. serving for the discovery of the Idolaters whom the Levites destroyed 24. And there came out this Calf A very weak excuse of his Sin much like that which we read Gen. 3.12 and 1 Sam. 15.15 25. Naked i. e. By reason of their Sin stripped and robbed of the favour and protection of God which was their glory and their strength vid. Numb 14.9 And now they were exposed to the scorn and violence of their Enemies Their enemies Heb. Those that rose up against them 26. On the LORD's side i. e. That have not fallen into Idolatry 29. For Moses c. Or And Moses said Consecrate your selves to day to the LORD because every man hath been against his son and against his brother c. 32. Out of thy book which thou hast written This is spoken of God after the manner of Men and speaks the great Charity of Moses who chooses rather to suffer though death it self see Num. 11.15 than to behold the destruction of his People 33. Whosoever c. He that sins shall die 34. Angel See ch 23.20 35. Plagued By the Levites and in the plagues afterwards CHAP. XXXIII The ARGUMENT God refuseth to go with the People at which Message they mourn The Tabernacle or Tent of Moses is removed out of the Camp The cloudy Pillar stands at the door of it God speaks unto Moses Face to Face Moses desires God to shew him his Way and his Glory God's words to Moses upon this occasion 1. AND the LORD said unto Moses Depart and go up hence thou and the people which thou hast brought up out of the land of Egypt unto the land which I sware unto Abraham to Isaac and to Jacob saying Vnto thy seed will I give it 2. And I will send an Angel before thee and I will drive out the Canaanite the Amorite and the Hittite and the Perizzite the Hivite and the Jebusite 3. Vnto a land flowing with milk and honey for I will not go up in the midst of thee for thou art a stiff-necked people lest I consume thee in the way 4. And when the people heard these evil tidings they mourned and no man did put on him his ornaments 5. For the LORD had said unto Moses Say unto the children of Israel Ye are a stiff-necked people I will come up into the midst of thee in a moment and consume thee therefore now put off thy ornaments from thee that I may know what to do unto thee 6. And the children of Israel stript themselves of their ornaments by the mount Horeb. 7. And Moses took the Tabernacle and pitched it without the camp afar off from the camp and called it the Tabernacle of the congregation And it came to pass that every one which sought the LORD went out unto the Tabernacle of the congregation which was without the camp 8. And it came to pass when Moses went out unto the tabernacle that all the people rose up and stood every man at his tent-door and looked after Moses untill he was gone into the tabernacle 9. And it came to pass as Moses entred into the tabernacle the cloudy pillar descended and stood at the door of the tabernacle and the LORD talked with Moses 10. And all the people saw the cloudy pillar stand at the tabernacle-door and all the people rose up and worshipped every man in his tent-door 11. And the LORD spake unto
Moses face to face as a man speaketh unto his friend And he turned again into the camp but his servant Joshua the son of Nun a young man departed not out of the tabernacle 12. And Moses said unto the LORD See thou sayest unto me Bring up this people and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me Yet thou hast said I know thee by name and thou hast also found grace in my sight 13. Now therefore I pray thee if I have found grace in thy sight shew me now thy way that I may know thee that I may find grace in thy sight and consider that this nation is thy people 14. And he said My presence shall go with thee and I will give thee rest 15. And he said unto him If thy presence go not with me carry us not up hence 16. For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight Is it not in that thou goest with us So shall we be separated I and thy people from all the people that are upon the face of the earth 17. And the LORD said unto Moses I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken for thou hast found grace in my sight and I know thee by name 18. And he said I beseech thee shew me thy glory 19. And he said I will make all my goodness pass before thee and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy 20. And he said Thou canst not see my face for there shall no man see me and live 21. And the LORD said Behold there is a place by me and thou shalt stand upon a rock 22. And it shall come to pass while my glory passeth by that I will put thee in a clift of the rock and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by 23. And I will take away mine hand and thou shalt see my back-parts but my face shall not be seen 1. UNto thy seed Gen. 12.7 2. And I will send an Angel Deut. 7.22 Josh 24.11 By the Angel here is meant a Creature one of God's ministring Servants and not the Angel mentioned Exod. 23.20 as is evident by comparing the Text. 3. Stiff-nceked Ch. 32.9 Deut. 9.13 4. And when the people The order in which the things here reported to have been said and done will most clearly appear if after v. 3. we read v. 5. and then v. 4. and 6. And this our Translators seem to be sensible of by their rendring those words v. 5. For the LORD had said c. They could not but see that the threatning words which God bid Moses say to the Children of Israel v. 5. was the reason why the people mourned v. 4. The word For with which the fifth Verse begins plainly shews that this was the reason they mourned They did this upon the sad tidings that God would not go up in the midst of them God does after this promise his Presence v. 14. 5. That I may know We must not think that God did not know his own purpose and the event of things And therefore the Greek render the word as signifying to shew or make known to others And the words That I may know according to this rendring are as much as That I may or and I will discover See the Notes on Gen. 22.12 6. By the mount Or From the mount At some distance possibly from the Mount as being unworthy to come near the place where God did reveal himself 7. The Tabernacle His Tabernacle says the Greek i. e. The Tent of Moses where he was wont to give Judgment and to answer in matters of doubt Without the camp This was an Argument of God's displeasure with the People It is not to be supposed that Moses did this without God's direction and the descent of the cloudy Pillar upon this Tabernacle v. 9. was an argument that God withdrew from the People the token of his Presence and Favour And called it c. By the same name which the Tabernacle which was to be built by God's Command was called This was at present a provisional Tabernacle instead of that v. 9. Which sought the LORD i. e. That sought the knowledge of God's Will by Moses Ch. 18.15 19 20. 8. Rose up c. In expectation of what would follow upon this removal of the Tent. 9. Cloudy pillar The token of the Angel's presence ch 13.21 and ch 14.19 10. Worshipped They bowed down and worshipped God for this token of his presence 11. Face to face i. e. Plainly and familiarly not in Visions and Dreams and dark speeches This was a peculiar privilege to Moses Num. 12.6 8. Deut. 34.10 Departed not He stayed to give Judgment ch 18.26 12. Whom i. e. What Angel I know thee by name In a special manner I know thee Above all men as the Geeek render it See v. 11. 13. Thy way i. e. Thy gracious and mercifull Administration Vid. Ps 103.7 and 67.2 That I may find grace c. That so I may be assured of thy Favour 14. My presence i. e. My self Here God promises the presence of his Divine Majesty and that he will not leave them to the conduct of a created Angel They shall be under the care of the Angel of his Presence according to his Promise Exod. 23.20 Vid. Isa 63.9 15. And he said unto him Which words may be rendred And he had said unto him and so perhaps the words v. 17. The Lord said might have been better rendred The Lord had said 16. Be separated i. e. Distinguished by a peculiar privilege Ps 76.1 18. Thy glory i. e. Thy Face as it is expressed v. 20. That which Moses begs is a more plain and familiar knowledge of the Divine Nature and Essence or such a seeing of God v. 20. as this mortal state will not admit of 19. I will make all my goodness c. i. e. God promises to grant to Moses a knowledge of his goodness he should see the footsteps of his Mercy and he would let him know how he is affected to mankind And will be gracious Rom. 9.15 20. See my face i. e. Perfectly know me 1 Cor. 13.12 22. My glory i. e. Glorious appearance which speaks me present Cover thee with my hand i. e. Powerfully protect thee and hide thee 23. My back-parts This is spoken after the manner of Men For God is a Spirit We know God but imperfectly in this Life we learn something of him by the effects of his Power and Wisdom and Goodness A fuller knowledge is reserved for a future state CHAP. XXXIV The ARGUMENT The two Tables are renewed The Lord's Name proclaimed Moses begs God's Presence and Pardon Idolatry is strictly forbid God renews his Covenant and repeats several Laws that were given before Moses continues fasting in the Mount forty days and forty Nights The Face of Moses
shines He puts a Veil thereon whiles he speaks with the People and removes it when he speaks with God 1. AND the LORD said unto Mâ—ses Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first and I will write upon these tables the words that were in the first tables which thou brakest 2. And be ready in the morning and come up in the morning unto mount Sinai and present thy self there to me in the top of the mount 3. And no man shall come up with thee neither let any man be seen throughout all the mount neither let the flocks nor herds feed before that mount 4. And he hewed two tables of stone like unto the first and Moses rose up early in the morning and went up unto mount Sinai as the LORD had commanded him and took in his hand the two tables of stone 5. And the LORD descended in the cloud and stood with him there and proclaimed the name of the LORD 6. And the LORD passed by before him and proclaimed The LORD The LORD God mercifull and gracious long-suffering and abundant in goodness and truth 7. Keeping mercy for thousands forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin and that will by no means clear the guilty visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and upon the children's children unto the third and to the fourth generation 8. And Moses made hast and bowed his head towards the earth and worshipped 9. And he said If now I have found grace in thy sight O Lord let my Lord I pray thee go amongst us for it is a stiff-necked people and pardon our iniquity and our sin and take us for thine inheritance 10. And he said Behold I make a covenant before all thy people I will do marvels such as have not been done in all the earth nor in any nation and all the people amongst which thou art shall see the work of the LORD for it is a terrible thing that I will do with thee 11. Observe thou that which I command thee this day Behold I drive out before thee the Amorite and the Canaanite and the Hittite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite 12. Take heed to thy self lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee 13. But ye shall destroy their altars break their images and cut down their groves 14. For thou shalt worship no other God for the LORD whose name is Jealous is a jealous God 15. Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land and they go a whoring after their gods and do sacrifice unto their gods and one call thee and thou eat of his sacrifice 16. And thou take of their daughters unto thy sons and their daughters go a whoring after their gods and make thy sons go a whoring after their gods 17. Thou shalt make thee no molten gods 18. The feast of unleavened bread shalt thou keep Seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread as I commanded thee in the time of the month Abib for in the month Abib thou camest out from Egypt 19. All that openeth the matrix is mine and every firstling among thy cattel whether ox or sheep that is male 20. But the firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb and if thou redeem him not then shalt thou break his neck All the first-born of thy sons thou shalt redeem and none shall appear before me empty 21. Six days thou shalt work but on the seventh day thou shalt rest in earing-time and in harvest thou shalt rest 22. And thou shalt observe the feast of weeks of the first-fruits of wheat-harvest and the feast of ingathering at the year's end 23. Thrice in the year shall all your men-children appear before the Lord GOD the God of Israel 24. For I will cast out the nations before thee and enlarge thy borders neither shall any man desire thy land when thou shalt go up to appear before the LORD thy God thrice in the year 25. Thou shalt not offer the bloud of my sacrifice with leaven neither shall the sacrifice of the feast of passover be left unto the morning 26. The first of the first-fruits of thy land thou shalt bring unto the house of the LORD thy God Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk 27. And the LORD said unto Moses Write thou these words for after the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with thee and with Israel 28. And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty-nights he did neither eat bread nor drink water and he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant the ten commandments 29. And it came to pass when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses's hand when he came down from the mount that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him 30. And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses behold the skin of his face shone and they were afraid to come nigh him 31. And Moses called unto them and Aaron and all the rulers of the congregation returned unto him and Moses talked with them 32. And afterward all the children of Israel came nigh and he gave them in commandment all that the LORD had spoken with him in mount Sinai 33. And till Moses had done speaking with them he put a veil on his face 34. But when Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him he took the veil off untill he came out And he came out and spake unto the children of Israel that which he was commanded 35. And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses that the skin of Moses's face shone and Moses put the veil upon his face again untill he went in to speak with him 1. HEW thee The first Tables were the work of God ch 32.16 Deut. 10.1 5. Descended Was revealed says the Chaldee i. e. He manifested himself in the Cloud And proclaimed the name Or He called upon the name and then these words referr to Moses who upon God's glorious manifestation of himself called upon God This agrees well with the Hebrew Text Vid. Gen. 12.8 and is followed by the Vulgar Latin 6. And the LORD passed by c. That is He caused his Divine Presence to pass by as the Chaldee hath it And proclaimed i. e. And the Lord proclaimed ch 33.19 7. Will by no means clear Or Will not utterly cut off For so the Hebrew word is observed sometimes to signifie and is by our Englisâ— rendred to that sense Zech. 5.3 Jer. 46.28 in the Margent Besides when Moses deprecates God's displeasure he makes use of these words Num. 14.18 More Nevoch p. 1. c. 54. Visiting c. ch 20.5 Deut. 5.9 Jer. 32.18 9. If now c. Moses is now encouraged to pray as he doth upon this proclaiming the Mercy and Goodness of God My Lord
The Chaldee understands it of the Shecinah or Divine Presence 10. I make Deut. 5.2 A terrible thing Such as speaks the Majesty and Power of God who is terrible in his doing toward the children of men Ps 66.5 12. Take heed Ch. 23.32 Deut. 7.2 13. Images Heb. Statues 14. Jealous Ch. 20.5 15. Go a whoring Idolatry is a spiritual Whoredom Ps 73.27 He that loves and honours the Creature instead of the Creator is guilty of it Jam. 4.4 And thou eat of his sacrifice And so have Communion with an Idol Num. 25.2 Ps 106.28 Ezek. 18.6.22.9 1 Cor. 10.20 Rev. 2.20 16. Their daughters 1 King 11.2 17. No molten They are specially warned against molten Gods they having transgressed so lately in the molten Calf ch 32.4 18. Vnleavened Ch. 23.15 Month Ch. 13.4 19. All Ch. 22.29 Ezek. 44.30 20. Lamb Or Kid. Empty Ch. 23.15 21. Six Ch. 23.12 Deut. 5.12 Luk. 13.14 22. And Ch. 23.16 Years end Heb. Revolution of the year 23. Thrice Ch. 23.14 17. Deut. 16.16 25. Thou c. Ch. 23.18 26. Kid Ch. 23.19 Deut. 14.21 27. Write thou these words Deut. 4.13 i. e. Do thou write them in a Book apart The ten Commandments onely were written in the two Tables and they were written by God v. 1. Deut. 10.2.4 28. And he Ch. 24.18 Deut. 9.9 And he wrote Not Moses but God See v. 27. Commandments Heb. Words 29. Shone Was glorious says the Greek which rendring agrees well with what we read 2 Cor. 3.7 While he talked with him These words express the cause why the Face of Moses did shine viz. from his converse with God 2 Cor. 3.18 30. Were afraid And by this means it is likely Moses came to the knowledge of it 33. He put Or He had put Viz. during the time that he spake with them A veil 2 Cor. 3.13 14. 34. He took the veil off 2 Cor. 3.16 35. With him That is With God as appears from v. 34. CHAP. XXXV The ARGUMENT The People are commanded to rest on the Sabbath-day Free-will Offerings for the Tabernacle to be received Both Men and Women offer Materials Bezaleel and Aholiab chosen for the Work 1. AND Moses gathered all the congregation of the children of Israel together and said unto them These are the words which the LORD hath commanded that ye should do them 2. Six days shall work be done but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day a sabbath of rest to the LORD whosoever doth work therein shall be put to death 3. Ye shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations upon the sabbath-day 4. And Moses spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel saying This is the thing which the LORD commanded saying 5. Take ye from amongst you an offering unto the LORD Whosoever is of a willing heart let him bring it an offering of the LORD gold and silver and brass 6. And blue and purple and scarlet and fine linen and goats hair 7. And rams skins died red and badgers skins and shittim-wood 8. And oyl for the light and spices for anointing oyl and for the sweet incense 9. And onyx-stones and stones to be set for the ephod and for the breast-plate 10. And every wise-hearted among you shall come and make all that the LORD hath commanded 11. The tabernacle his tent and his covering his taches and his boards his bars his pillars and his sockets 12. The ark and the staves thereof with the mercy-seat and the veil of the covering 13. The table and his staves and all his vessels and the shew-bread 14. The candlestick also for the light and his furniture and his lamps with the oyl for the light 15. And the incense-altar and his staves and the anointing oyl and the sweet incense and the hanging for the door at the entring in of the tabernacle 16. The altar of burnt-offering with his brasen grate his staves and all his vessels the laver and his foot 17. The hangings of the court his pillars and their sockets and the hanging for the door of the court 18. The pins of the tabernacle and the pins of the court and their cords 19. The clothes of service to do service in the holy place the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments of his sons to minister in the priest's office 20. And all the congregation of the children of Israel departed from the presence of Moses 21. And they came every one whose heart stirred him up and every one whom his spirit made willing and they brought the LORD's offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation and for all his service and for the holy garments 22. And they came both men and women as many as were willing-hearted and brought bracelets and ear-rings and rings and tablets all jewels of gold and every man that offered offered an offering of gold unto the LORD 23. And every man with whom was found blue and purple and scarlet and fine linen and goat's hair and red skins of rams and badgers skins brought them 24. Every one that did offer an offering of silver and brass brought the LORD's offering and every man with whom was found shittim-wood for any work of the service brought it 25. And all the women that were wise-hearted did spin with their hands and brought that which they had spun both of blue and of purple and of scarlet and of fine linen 26. And all the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun goat's hair 27. And the rulers brought onyx-stones and stones to be set for the ephod and for the breast-plate 28. And spice and oyl for the light and for the anointing oyl and for the sweet incense 29. The children of Israel brought a willing-offering unto the LORD every man and woman whose heart made them willing to bring for all manner of work which the LORD had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses 30. And Moses said unto the children of Israel See the LORD hath called by name Bezaleel the son of Vri the son of Hur of the tribe of Judah 31. And he hath filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom in understanding and in knowledge and in all manner of workmanship 32. And to devise curious works to work in gold and in silver and in brass 33. And in the cutting of stones to set them and in carving of wood to make any manner of cunning work 34. And he hath put in his heart that he may teach both he and Aholiab the son of Ahisamach of the tribe of Dan. 35. Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart to work all manner of work of the engraver and of the cunning workman and of the embroiderer in blue and in purple in scarlet and in fine linen and of the weaver even of them that do any work and of those that devise cunning work 2. Six days Ch. 20.9 Levit. 23.3 Deut. 5.12 Luk. 13.14 An holy day Heb. Holiness Put to
death See the Notes on ch 31.14 3. Ye shall kindle no fire Neither for common work which was forbid on the Sabbath ch 20.10 and ch 31.15 nor yet to dress Meat withall which upon other Festivals was allowed ch 12.16 ch 16.23 5. Take ye from amongst you c. i. e. Bring me or takâ— for me As it is ch 25.2 See the Notes upon that place A willing heart Ch. 25.2 11. The Tabernacle Ch. 26.1 His tent and his covering i. e. The Curtains thereof as well as the outward Covering of Rams Skins and Badgers Skins ch 26.14 and ch 36.14 12. The veil of the covering i. e. That Veil which divides between the Holy and the Holy of Holies mentioned ch 26.31 It is here fitly mentioned after the Ark and Mercy-seat which were within the Veil ch 26.33 and before the Table the Candlestick and the Altar of Incense which were in the Holy place and without the Veil 15. And the Incense-altar Ch. 30.1 The Altar of burnt-offering Ch. 27.1 28. Spice Chap. 30.23 30. The LORD hath c. Chap. 31. v. 2. CHAP. XXXVI The ARGUMENT Moses delivers the Offerings brought by the People to the Workâ—â—n The People are restrained from any farther Offâ— ings The Curtains with Cherubims are made and those of Goat's-hair The Boards and Bars are prepared as also the Veil and Hanging 1. THEN wrought Bezaleel and Aholiab and every wise-hearted man in whom the LORD put wisdom and understanding to know how to work all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary according to all that the LORD had commanded 2. And Moses called Bezaleel and Aholiab and every wise-hearted man in whose heart the LORD had put wisdom even every one whose heart stirred him up to come unto the work to do it 3. And they received of Moses all the offering which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of the sanctuary to make it withall And they brought yet unto him free-offerings every morning 4. And all the wise men that wrought all the work of the sanctuary came every man from his work which they made 5. And they spake unto Moses saying The people bring much more then enough for the service of the work which the LORD commanded to make 6. And Moses gave commandment and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp saying Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary So the people were restrained from bringing 7. For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it and too much 8. And every wise-hearted man among them that wrought the work of the tabernacle made ten curtains of fine twined linen and blue and purple and scarlet with cherubims of cunning work made he them 9. The length of one curtain was twenty and eight cubits and the breadth of one curtain four cubits the curtains were all of one cise 10. And he coupled the five curtains one unto another and the other five-curtains he coupled one to another 11. And he made loops of blue on the edge of one curtain from the selvedge in the coupling likewise he made in the uttermost side of another curtain in the coupling of the second 12. Fifty loops made he in one curtain and fifty loops made he in the edge of the curtain which was in the coupling of the second the loops held one curtain to another 13. And he made fifty taches of gold and coupled the curtains one unto another with the taches So it became one tabernacle 14. And he made curtains of goat's hair for the tent over the tabernacle eleven curtains he made them 15. The length of one curtain was thirty cubits and four cubits was the breadth of one curtain the eleven curtains were of one cise 16. And he coupled five curtains by themselves and six curtains by themselves 17. And he made fifty loops upon the uttermost edge of the curtain in the coupling and fifty loops made he upon the edge of the curtain which coupleth the second 18. And he made fifty taches of brass to couple the tent together that it might be one 19. And he made a covering for the tent of rams skins died red and a covering of badgers skins above that 20. And he made boards for the tabernacle of shittim-wood standing up 21. The length of a board was ten cubits and the breadth of a board one cubit and a half 22. One board had two tenons equally distant one from another thus did he make for all the boards of the tabernacle 23. And he made boards for the tabernacle twenty boards for the south-side south-ward 24. And forty sockets of silver he made under the twenty boards two sockets under one board for his two tenons and two sockets under another board for his two tenons 25. And for the other side of the tabernacle which is towards the north-corner he made twenty boards 26. And their forty-sockets of silver two sockets under one board and two sockets under another board 27. And for the sides of the tabernacle west-ward he made six boards 28. And two boards made he for the corners of the tabernacle in the two sides 29. And they were coupled beneath and coupled together at the head thereof to one ring thus he did to both of them in both the corners 30. And there were eight boards and their sockets were sixteen sockets of silver under every board two sockets 31. And he made bars of shittim-wood five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle 32. And five bars for the boards of the other side of the tabernacle and five bars for the boards of the tabernacle for the sides west-ward 33. And he made the middle bar to shoot through the boards from the one end to the other 34. And he overlaid the boards with gold and made their rings of gold to be places for the bars and overlaid the bars with gold 35. And he made a veil of blue and purple and scarlet and fine twined linen with cherubims made he it of cunning work 36. And he made thereunto four pillars of shittim wood and overlaid them with gold their hooks were of gold and he cast for them four sockets of silver 37. And he made an hanging for the tabernacle-door of blue and purple and scarlet and fine twined linen of needle-word 38. And the five pillars of it with their hooks and he overlaid their chapiters and their fillets with gold but their five sockets were of brass 1. THEN wrought Bezaleel c. This Chapter and those which follow give an account of the execution of that which was designed and commanded before ch 25 26 27. 5. More then enough This they did not conceal much less did they convert it to their own private use 6. Restrained So great was their zeal for God's publick Worship that they needed a restraint upon their liberality And the care of Moses is very remarkable who
could not be offered voluntarily but then onely when they were commanded by the Law of Moses See the General Argument of this Book Before the LORD i. e. Before that place where God more especially presentiated himself The Head of the Bullock the Jews tell us was directed as well as the Face of the Offerer toward the Holy of Holies where God did still more especially dwell Vid. Ch. 3.1 2. ch 4.4 6. 4. Put his hand See the Notes on Exod 29.10 Atonement Or Reconciliation 5. He shall kill The Priest was not obliged to do it as the Jews with good reason teach By the door Exod. 40.29 7. And the sons of Aaron the priest I shall here consider the Offices that were peculiar to the Priests and lay them before the Reader at once And that the rather because this matter is too commonly misunderstood They were not obliged to kill the Beast v. 5. And though they decided Controversies and sometimes expounded the Law yet were not these things peculiarly the Office and Function of Priests Generally speaking their Office and Holy Function consisted in two things I. In blessing the People Numb 6.23 II. In ministring in Holy Things and performing Divine Offices Them the Lord thy God hath chosen to minister unto him and to bless in the Name of the Lord Deut. 21.5 And elsewhere Aaron is said to be separated that he should sanctifie the most holy things he and his sons for ever to burn incense before the Lord to minister unto him and to bless in his name 1 Chron. 23.16 A Priest is strictly speaking the Peoples Advocate with God And the Ministry required of the Priests the Sons of Aaron was various viz. It generally related either to the Altar of Incense within the Veil where they were obliged to offer up Incense Numb 18.7 or the Altar of Burnt-offering without And as to the latter they were obliged to sprinkle the Blood Levit. 1.5 and ch 4.6 To put Fire and Wood on the Altar Levit. 1.11 Numb 18.3 7. To burn the parts Lev. 1.8 To remove the Ashes Lev. 6.10 11. And to offer the Memorial of the Meat-offering Lev. 2.2 ch 6.15 'T was their work also to light the Lamps Num. 8.2 To blow the Trumpets Num. 10.8 and to judge of the Leprosie Lev. 13. Put fire i. e. Shall order and dispose the Fire which was never quite extinguished ch 6.12 13. 8. The priests In the following Burnt-offerings this work is laid upon the Priest here seems to be required more than one The reason of which seems to be this That this Burnt-offering being of the Herd required greater help than those which follow which were of the Flocks or Fowls 9. A sweet savour i. e. Acceptable to God as the Testimony of the sincere Devotion of the Offerer 12. Priest See the Notes on v. 8. 15. Wring off his head Or Pinch off the head with the nail 16. His feathers Or The filth thereof viz. Which was laid up in the Crop and and that Sense the Chaldee follows On the east-part That part which was most remote from the Holy Place which required the greatest Purity Place of the Ashes The place appointed for the receiving of the Ashes See ch 6.10 11. 17. Of a sweet savour Though of a mean value yet was it acceptable to God as much as were the more costly Sacrifices of the Rich 2 Cor. 8.12 Luk. 21.3 CHAP. II. The ARGUMENT Of the Meat-offering of fine Flour The remnant of it assigned to the Priest Of several ways of preparing the Meat-offering viz. baking it in an Oven or Pan or frying it Leaven and Honey in these Meat-offerings prohibited but Salt required Of the First-fruits 1. AND when any will offer a meat-offering unto the LORD his offering shall be of fine flower and he shall pour oyl upon it and put frankincense thereon 2. And he shall bring it to Aaron's sons the priests and he shall take thereout his handfull of the flour thereof and of the oyl thereof with all the frankincense thereof and the priest shall burn the memorial of it upon the altar to be an offering made by fire of a sweet savour unto the LORD 3. And the remnant of the meat-offering shall be Aaron's and his sons it is a thing most holy of the offerings of the LORD made by fire 4. And if thou bring an oblation of a meat-offering baken in the oven it shall be unleavened cakes of fine flour mingled with oyl or unleavened wafers anointed with oyl 5. And if thy oblation be a meat-offering baken in a pan it shall be of fine flour unleavened mingled with oyl 6. Thou shalt part it in pieces and pour oyl thereon it is a meat-offering 7. And if thy oblation be a meat-offering baken in the frying-pan it shall be made of fine flour with oyl 8. And thou shalt bring the meat-offering that is made of these things unto the LORD and when it is presented unto the priest he shall bring it unto the altar 9. And the priest shall take from the meat-offering a memorial thereof and shall burn it upon the altar it is an offering made by fire of a sweet savour unto the LORD 10. And that which is left of the meat-offering shall be Aaron's and his sons it is a thing most holy of the offerings of the LORD made by fire 11. No meat-offering which ye shall bring unto the LORD shall be made with leaven for ye shall burn no leaven nor any honey in any offering of the LORD made by fire 12. As for the oblation of the first-fruits ye shall offer them unto the LORD but they shall not be burnt on the altar for a sweet savour 13. And every oblation of thy meat-offering shalt thou season with salt neither shalt thou suffer the salt of the covenant of thy God to be lacking from thy meat-offering with all thine offerings thou shalt offer salt 14. And if thou offer a meat-offering of thy first-fruits unto the LORD thou shalt offer for thy meat-offering of thy first-fruits green ears of corn dried by the fire even corn beaten out of full ears 15. And thou shalt put oyl upon it and lay frankincense thereon it is a meat-offering 16. And the priest shall burn the memorial of it part of the beaten corn thereof and part of the oyl thereof with all the frankincense thereof it is an offering made by fire unto the LORD 1. A Meat-offering The Hebrew word signifies a Gift or Present whether it be presented to God or to Men Judg. 3.15 16. 1 Sam. 8.2 Here it is considered as an Offering made to God of that which was inanimate There were several kinds of them both publick and private And some there were which were offered alone and by themselves Others which were to attend upon other Oblations Num. 15.4 6. The first sort are spoken of here This Offering was Expiatory 1 Sam. 3.14 and ch 26.19 and being a figure of Christ's Oblation Eph. 5.2 was
thereupon to cease Ps 40.6 Heb. 10.5 as it is thought to be expressly foretold Dan. 9.27 2. To Aaron's sons the priests That is To one of them as appears from the following words And he shall take c. The memorial This upon several accounts may well be so called viz. I. With respect to the Offering it being taken in place of the whole that was due Num. 5.26 II. With respect to the Offerer as a Memorial or Testimony of his acceptance with God Exod. 26.16 Ps 20.4 III. With respect to God to whom the Oblation was made This being an act of Worship and Acknowledgment of his Sovereignty and Divine Perfections Lev. 24.7 which is sometimes expressed by Remembring Eccles 12.1 1 Chron. 16.4 and the Title of Ps 38. 3. The remnant Ecclus 7.31 Most holy Those Oblations were Most Holy which were either intirely offered up to God as the Burnt-offering or Holocaust was or else where the remaining part was to be eaten onely by Aaron and his Sons who were separated to the Priesthood Exod. 29.37 and they also were obliged to eat this remaining part in the holy place Levit. 24.9 i. e. in the Court of the Tabernacle beside the Altar Levit. 10.12 Such were the Meat-offering the Sin-offering and the Trespass-offering Num. 18.9 The Peace-offering was not called Most Holy for though the Altar had one share of that Sacrifice and the Priest another yet the far greater part of it was allowed to the Offerers And for the place of eating it it was not confined to the Sanctuary The Priests might eat their share in any clean place Levit. 10.14 And the Offerers and those who eat of their share are warned onely that they be clean and that the Flesh of the Sacrifice be preserved clean also Lev. 7.19 But the Most Holy Sacrifices were not to be eaten by any but by the Priests onely And those Priests who upon the return from the Captivity of Babylon could not make out their Pedigree and consequently their just claim to the Priesthood were not permitted to eat of these most Holy Things Ezra 2.63 4. Baked This probably was baked within the Tabernacle 1 Chron. 23.28 29. Ezek. 46.20 5. In a pan Or On a flat plate or slice 9. A memorial V. 2. Offering Ex. 29.18 11. With leaven This is to be understood of these Meat-offerings part whereof was offered on the Altar and the remaining part was eaten by the Priests Levit. 7.13 and 23.17 And this Prohibition possibly might be for the perpetuating the Memory of their Deliverance out of Egypt as also to mind the Priest of putting away the Leaven of Malice and Wickedness 1 Cor. 5.8 Nor any honey This is forbidden because it was practised by the Idolaters says Maimon More Nevoch p. 111. c. 46. 12. Be burnt Heb. ascend 13. Shalt thou season with salt Mark 9.49 This was commanded the Jews because not practised by the Idolaters says Maimon Salt gives a savour and being also a preservative from Corruption is commanded here in the Meat-offering The salt of the Covenant i. e. The Salt which they were by this Covenant or Law obliged to offer up in every Oblation Salt may also be esteemed a sign of the perpetuity and inviolableness of the Covenant on God's part vid. Numb 18.19 2 Chron. 13.5 14. And if thou offer a meat-offering c. This is meant of the Sheaf of First-fruits mentioned Levit 23.10 Or else of any other Free-will Offering of First-fruits not any-where enjoyned in the Law 16. Burn the memorial See verse 2. CHAP. III. The ARGUMENT Of the Peace-offering of the Herd and of the Flock whether Lamb or Goat The Israelites are forbidden to eat Fat or Bloud 1. AND if his oblation be a sacrifice of peace-offering if he offer it of the herd whether it be a male or female he shall offer it without blemish before the LORD 2. And he shall lay his hand upon the head of his offering and kill it at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation and Aaron's sons the priests shall sprinkle the blood upon the altar round about 3. And he shall offer of the sacrifice of the peace-offering an offering made by fire unto the LORD the fat that covereth the inwards and all the fat that is upon the inwards 4. And the two kidneys and the fat that is on them which is by the flanks and the caul above the liver with the kidneys it shall he take away 5. And Aaron's sons shall burn it on the altar upon the burnt-sacrifice which is upon the wood that is on the fire it is an offering made by fire of a sweet savour unto the LORD 6. And if his offering for a sacrifice of peace-offering unto the LORD be of the flock male or female he shall offer it without blemish 7. If he offer a lamb for his offering then shall he offer it before the LORD 8. And he shall lay his hand upon the head of his offering and kill it before the tabernacle of the congregation and Aaron's sons shall sprinkle the blood thereof round about upon the altar 9. And he shall offer of the sacrifice of the peace-offering an offering made by fire unto the LORD the fat thereof and the whole rump it shall he take off hard by the back-bone and the fat that covereth the inwards and all the fat that is upon the inwards 10. And the two kidneys and the fat that is upon them which is by the flanks and the caul above the liver with the kidneys it shall be take away 11. And the priest shall burn it upon the altar it is the food of the offering made by fire unto the LORD 12. And if his offering be a goat then he shall offer it before the LORD 13. And he shall lay his hand upon the head of it and kill it before the tabernacle of the congregation and the sons of Aaron shall sprinkle the blood thereof upon the altar round about 14. And he shall offer thereof his offering even an offering made by fire unto the LORD the fat that covereth the inwards and all the fat that is upon the inwards 15. And the two kidneys and the fat that is upon them which is by theâ— flanks and the caul above the liver with the kidneys it shall he take away 16. And the priest shall burn them upon the altar it is the food of the offering made by fire for a sweet savour All the fat is the LORD's 17. It shall be a perpetual statute for your generations throughout all your dwellings that ye eat neither fat nor blood 1. A Sacrifice of peace-offering Peace among the Hebrews signifies Prosperity and with respect thereunto this Sacrifice is called a Peace-offering it having a respect unto the Mercies of God to Men. They were of three sorts 1. Sacrifices of Praise and Thanksgiving for Mercies already received Levit. 7.12 Psal 116. 16 17. 2 Chron. 29.31 ch 33.16 Or else with respect to Mercies hoped
taken away by violence or hath deceived his neighbour 3. Or have found that which was lost and lyeth concerning it and sweareth falsly in any of all these that a man doeth sinning therein 4. Then it shall be because he hath sinned and is guilty that he shall restore that which he took violently away or the thing which he hath deceitfully gotten or that which was delivered him to keep or the lost thing which he found 5. Or all that about which he hath sworn falsely he shall even restore it in the principal and shall add the fifth part more thereto and give it unto him to whom it appertaineth in the day of his trespass-offering 6. And he shall bring his trespass-offering unto the LORD a ram without blemish out of the flock with thy estimation for a trespass-offering unto the priest 7. And the priest shall make an atonement for him before the LORD and it shall be forgiven him for any thing of all that he hath done in trespassing therein 8. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 9. Command Aaron and his sons saying This is the law of the burnt-offering It is the burnt-offering because of the burning upon the altar all night unto the morning and the fire of the altar shall be burning in it 10. And the priest shall put on his linen garment and his linen breeches shall he put upon his flesh and take up the ashes which the fire hath consumed with the burnt-offering on the altar and he shall put them besides the altar 11. And he shall put off his garments and put on other garments and carry forth the ashes without the camp unto a clean place 12. And the fire upon the altar shall be burning in it it shall not be put out and the priest shall burn wood on it every morning and lay the burnt-offering in order upon it and he shall burn thereon the fat of the peace-offerings 13. The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar it shall never go out 14. And this is the law of the meat-offering the sons of Aaron shall offer it before the LORD before the altar 15. And he shall take of it his hand-full of the flour of the meat-offering and of the oyl thereof and all the frankincense which is upon the meat-offering and shall burn it upon the altar for a sweet savour even the memorial of it unto the LORD 16. And the remainder thereof shall Aaron and his sons eat with unleavened bread shall it be eaten in the holy place in the court of the tabernacle of the congregation they shall eat it 17. It shall not be baken with leaven I have given it unto them for their portion of my offerings made by fire it is most holy as is the sin-offering and as the trespass-offering 18. All the males among the children of Aaron shall eat of it It shall be a statute for ever in your generations concerning the offerings of the LORD made by fire Every one that toucheth them shall be holy 19. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 20. This is the offering of Aaron and of his sons which they shall offer unto the LORD in the day when he is anointed the tenth part of an ephah of fine flour for a meat-offering perpetual half of it in the morning and half thereof at night 21. In a pan it shall be made with oyl and when it is baken thou shalt bring it in and the baken pieces of the meat-offering shalt thou offer for a sweet savour unto the LORD 22. And the priest of his sons that is anointed in his stead shall offer it It is a statute for ever unto the LORD it shall be wholly burnt 23. For every meat-offering for the priest shall be wholly burnt it shall not be eaten 24. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 25. Speak unto Aaron and to his sons saying This is the law of the sin-offering In the place where the burnt-offering is killed shall the sin-offering be killed before the LORD it is most holy 26. The priest that offereth it for sin shall eat it in the holy place shall it be eaten in the court of the tabernacle of the congregation 27. Whatsoever shall touch the flesh thereof shall be holy and when there is sprinkled of the blood thereof upon any garment thou shalt wash that whereon it was sprinkled in the holy place 28. But the earthen vessel wherein it is sodden shall be broken and if it be sodden in a brasen pot it shall be both scoured and rinsed in water 29. All the males among the priests shall eat thereof it is most holy 30. And no sin-offering whereof any of the blood is brought into the tabernacle of the congregation to reconcile withall in the holy place shall be eaten it shall be burnt in the fire 2. Against the LORD The swearing falsely v. 3. is directly a Sin against God And when we wrong our Neighbour we offend God and break his Laws Gen. 20.6 ch 39.9 Psal 51.4 Fellowship Or in dealing Heb. Putting of the hand 3. Sweareth falsely Numb 5.6 The Thief or he that was suspected of Theft was among the Jews put to his Oath to purge and clear himself where there wanted sufficient proof See the Notes on Exod. 22.11 5. Restore He must make restitution before he can hope to be pardoned and confess his Sin also Numb 5.7 without this his Sacrifice will not procure his atonement ch 5.16 The fifth part He that stole an Ox or Sheep and killed and sold it was bound to restore five and four-fold Exod. 22.1 If they were found in his hand he was to restore double v. 4. This was the case of a Thief who continued in his Sin and was convicted by others But he who was penitent and of his own accord made restitution was onely obliged to add a fifth part and offer his Sacrifice according to what is commanded here and Numb 5. Joseph Antiqu. l. 3. c. 10. Maimon H. Shevuoth c. 8. Chethuvoth c. 3. m. 9. The reason of which difference as to restitution seems to be this In the first case the Thief by killing or selling is presumed to have no mind to make restitution of what he had stollen In the second case it might be supposed that he who kept the Goods might also restore them however not having done it he was obliged to restore double In the last case the Thief is supposed to be a Penitent and therefore obliged onely to restore the principal or thing stollen To add a fifth part by way of Compensation for the care given to the injured person and to bring his Sacrifice as a testimony of his Repentance The due consideration of what is said above on this matter will help us to reconcile the different accounts we have in the Books of Moses of this business of Restitution And the difference as to the Restitution was observed also in the Roman Laws and is very reasonable according to the different kinds
meat-offering mingled with oyl for to day the LORD will appear unto you 5. And they brought that which Moses commanded before the tabernacle of the congregation and all the congregation drew near and stood before the LORD 6. And Moses said This is the thing which the LORD commanded that ye should do and the glory of the LORD shall appear unto you 7. And Moses said unto Aaron Go unto the altar and offer thy sin-offering and thy burnt-offering and make an atonement for thy self and for the people and offer the offering of the people and make an atonement for them as the LORD commanded 8. Aaron therefore went unto the altar and slew the calf of the sin-offering which was for himself 9. And the sons of Aaron brought the blood unto him and he dipt his finger in the blood and put it upon the horns of the altar and poured out the blood at the bottom of the altar 10. But the fat and the kidneys and the caul above the liver of the sin-offering he burnt upon the altar as the LORD commanded Moses 11. And the flesh and the hide he burnt with fire without the camp 12. And he slew the burnt-offering and Aaron's sons presented unto him the blood which he sprinkled round about upon the altar 13. And they presented the burnt-offering unto him with the pieces thereof and the head and he burnt them upon the altar 14. And he did wash the inwards and the legs and burnt them upon the burnt-offering on the altar 15. And he brought the people's offering and took the goat which was the sin-offering for the people and slew it and offered it for sin as the first 16. And he brought the burnt-offering and offered it according to the manner 17. And he brought the meat-offering and took an handfull thereof and burnt it upon the altar beside the burnt-sacrifice of the morning 18. He slew also the bullock and the ram for a sacrifice of peace-offerings which was for the people and Aaron's sons presented unto him the blood which he sprinkled upon the altar round about 19. And the fat of the bullock and of the ram the rump and that which covereth the inwards and the kidneys and the caul above the liver 20. And they put the fat upon the breasts and he burnt the fat upon the altar 21. And the breasts and the right shoulder Aaron waved for a wave-offering before the LORD as Moses commanded 22. And Aaron lift up his hand towards the people and blessed them and came down from offering of the sin-offering and the burnt-offering and peace-offerings 23. And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregation and came out and blessed the people and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the people 24. And there came a fire out from before the LORD and consumed upon the altar the burnt-offering and the far which when all the people saw they shouted and fell on their faces 1. ON the eighth day That is From the beginning of the Consecration of the Priests ch 8.33 35. Exod. 29.30 Ezek. 43.26 27. 2. Take Exod. 29.1 For a sin-offering i. e. To expiate his own sins v. 8. The High-priest was obliged to bring a young Bullock for his sin Lev. 4.3 And it is required of Aaron here upon his entring upon his Office Whence it is evident that his Priesthood was designed for his own Expiation as well as that of the People Heb. 5.2 and 9.7 3. For a sin-offering Of the order of these Offerings See the Note on ch 8.14 4. For peace-offerings These were for the People v. 18. Here is no Peace-offering required of Aaron because part of that Offering being the Portion of the Priest and the greater part of the Offerer it could not be offered aright by Aaron who would have been both Priest and Offerer The LORD will appear i. e. The Glory of the Lord will appear See v. 6. 5. Before the LORD i. e. At the entrance of the Tabernacle 6. The glory of the LORD i. e. A visible sign of the Presence and Favour of God This was fulfilled v. 24. when by the fire which God sent and which consumed the Sacrifice He gave them assurance that he accepted the Offering See Gen. 4.4 1 King 18.38 2 Chron. 7.1 2 Mac. 2.10 11. And any such token or sign of God's favour and more especial Presence may be called the Glory or the Glory of the Lord 2 Pet. 1.17 with Matt. 17.5 Rom. 9.4 with 1 Sam. 4.22 7. For thy self and for the people In which respect the Legal Priests came short of Christ Heb. 5.3 and 7.26 27 28. 15. As the first As the Sin-offering mentioned v. 8. And he also burnt it as he did that without the Camp v. 11. For which he is reproved by Moses ch 10.16 17. 16. Manner Or Ordinance Took an handfull thereof Heb. Filled his hand out of it Beside the burnt-offering c. Exod. 29.38 This Oblation was offered beside the continual Offering that was with its Meat-offering offered every morning 18. For the people See the Note on v. 4. 21. Breasts and the right shoulder These are the portion of the Priest who ministred Levit. 7.34 Waved See the Notes on Exod. 29.24 22. Blessed them This was the Office of the Priest 2 Chron. 23.13 The form of doing this is prescribed Numb 6.23 In this Aaron was a Figure of Christ Act. 3.26 Who lift up his hands and blessed his disciples Luk. 24.50 23. Appeared unto all the people See the Notes on v. 6. 24. There came c. Gen. 4.4 1 King 18.18 2 Chron. 7.1 2 Mac. 2.10 11. CHAP. X. The ARGUMENT Nadab and Abihu for offering strange Fire are burnt Aaron and his Sons are forbidden to Mourn for them The Priests are forbidden Wine and strong Drink when they go into the Tabernacle Aaron and his Sons commanded to eat their portion of the Offerings Aaron excuseth his not Eating at this time 1. AND Nadab and Abihu the sons of Aaron took either of them his censer and put fire therein and put incense thereon and offered strange fire before the LORD which he commanded them not 2. And there went out fire from the LORD and devoured them and they died before the LORD 3. Then Moses said unto Aaron This is it that the LORD spake saying I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me and before all the people I will be glorified And Aaron held his peace 4. And Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan the sons of Vzziel the uncle of Aaron and said unto them Come near carry your brethren from before the sanctuary out of the camp 5. So they went near and carried them in their coats out of the camp as Moses had said 6. And Moses said unto Aaron and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar his sons Vncover not your heads neither rend your clothes lest you die and lest wrath come upon all the people but let your brethren the whole house of Israel
bewail the burning which the LORD hath kindled 7. And ye shall not go out from the door of the tabernacle of the congregation lest you die for the anointing oyl of the LORD is upon you And they did according to the word of Moses 8. And the LORD spake unto Aaron saying 9. Do not drink wine nor strong drink thou nor thy sons with thee when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregationâ— lest ye die It shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations 10. And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy and between unclean and clean 11. And that ye may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the LORD hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses 12. And Moses spake unto Aaron and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar his sons that were left Take the meat-offering that remaineth of the offerings of the LORD made by fire and eat it without leaven beside the altar for it is most holy 13. And ye shall eat it in the holy place because it is thy due and thy son 's due of the sacrifices of the LORD made by fire for so I am commanded 14. And the wave-breast and heave-shoulder shall ye eat in a clean place thou and thy sons and thy daughters with thee for they be thy due and thy son 's due which are given out of the sacrifices of peace-offerings of the children of Israel 15. The heave-shoulder and the wave-breast shall they bring with the offerings made by fire of the fat to wave it for a wave-offering before the LORD and it shall be thine and thy sons with thee by a statute for ever as the LORD hath commanded 16. And Moses diligently sought the goat of the sin-offering and behold it was burnt and he was angry with Eleazar and Ithamar the sons of Aaron which were left alive saying 17. Wherefore have ye not eaten the sin-offering in the holy place seeing it is most holy and God hath given it you to bear the iniquity of the congregation to make atonement for them before the LORD 18. Behold the blood of it was not brought in within the holy place ye should indeed have eaten it in the holy place as I commanded 19. And Aaron said unto Moses Behold this day have they offered their sin-offering and their burnt-offering before the LORD and such things have befallen me and if I had eaten the sin-offering to day should it have been accepted in the sight of the LORD 20. And when Moses heard that he was content 1. NAdab Numb 3.4 and 26.61 1 Chron. 24.2 Censer That is a certain Vessel in which they put Coals of fire Strange fire i. e. Other fire than what they ought to have used Thus Incense which was not such as was prescribed and allowed is called strange Incense Exod. 30.9 God had appointed a continual Fire upon the Altar of Burnt-offering ch 6.12 This Fire as appears afterward was to be used in burning the Incense ch 16.12 with Rev. 8.5 And as it was upon the Altar it was separated to an holy use and 't is therefore probable that the fault of Nadab and Abihu was that they used Common Fire and not Fire from the Altar which God had required for the service of the Sanctuary And these Men had without all doubt been sufficiently directed in their duty Commanded them not Or had not prescribed and allowed Those words do not imply that God had not forbidden it See Jer. 32.35 2. From the LORD i. e. Which God sent whether from the Altar or from above Devoured them It stifled them or killed them as Lightning hath been known to do See v. 5. 3. Spake saying I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me The substance of this was said in these words And let the Priests also which come near to the LORD sanctifie themselves lest the LORD break forth upon them Exod. 19.22 See also Levit. 8.35 and Isa 58.11 I will be glorified That is my Justice shall be known in punishing Transgressors The substance of this was threatned Exod. 19.22 And God is glorified by the Justice of his Inflictions Exod. 14.4 Ezek. 28.22 Held his peace i. e. He murmured not but submitted Psal 39.9 4. Vncle Exod. 6.18 20. with Numb 3.19 6. Vncover not your heads The uncovering the Head whether it were by putting off the Tire and Ornament of the Head or by shaving off the Hair was a sign of Mourning which is that which is forbidden the Priest in this place Ezek. 24.17 23. Levit. 13.45 with Job 1.20 Isa 22.12 To which places may be added to the same purpose ch 13.45 and ch 21.1 10. Numb 6.5 6. Neither rend c. Rending of clothes was also a sign of Mourning Gen. 37.34 Levit. 21.10 Vpon all the people Who will suffer greatly by the loss of their Priests who were to bless them and make atonement for them 7. Oyl Which was a token of the Spirit of Joy as well as it was that by which they were set a-part to the Service of God Psal 45.7 9. Wine This was forbid during their ministration and that they might not be unfit for their service Prov. 31.5 Isa 28.7 See vers 10 11. As also 1 Tim. 3.3 8. and 5.23 10. Put difference Wine and strong Drink take away the power of discerning and would consequently make the Priests unfit for their Ministration vid. Ezek. 44.21 23. Jerem. 15.19 12. It is most holy Vid. Levit. 2.3 and the Note on that place and also the 13 Verse of this Chapter 14. The Wave-breast Exod. 29.24 In a clean place Not in an holy place they being not most holy as that v. 12. and might therefore be eaten in the Camp and afterward in the City of Jerusalem 16. The Goat Mentioned ch 9.15 18. Behold the blood of it was not brought in In that case the Priest was not allowed any part or share in it as we are expressly told Levit. 6.30 As I commanded chap. 6.26 19. Should it have been accepted c. Because of his sorrow which indisposed him for that service Deut. 12.7 c. ch 26.14 CHAP. XI The ARGUMENT Of the Beasts that may be eaten and those which may not Of the Fish and Fowls that may or may not be eaten Of the creeping things which are unclean 1. AND the LORD spake unto Moses and to Aaron saying unto them 2. Speak unto the children of Israel saying These are the beasts which ye shall eat among all the beast that are on the earth 3. Whatsoever parteth the hoof and is cloven-footed and cheweth the cud among the beasts that shall ye eat 4. Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud or of them that divide the hoof as the camel because he cheweth the cud but divideth not the hoof he is unclean unto you 5. And the coney because he cheweth the cud but divideth not the hoof he is unclean unto you 6. And the hare because he
atonement with him and to let him go for a scape-goat into the wilderness 11. And Aaron shall bring the bullock of the sin-offering which is for himself and shall make an atonement for himself and for his house and shall kill the bullock of the sin-offering which is for himself 12. And he shall take a censer-full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the LORD and his hands-full of sweet incense beaten small and bring it within the veil 13. And he shall put the incense upon the fire before the LORD that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy-seat that is upon the testimony that he die not 14. And he shall take of the blood of the bullock and sprinkle it with his finger upon the mercy-seat east-ward and before the merseat shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times 15. Then shall he kill the goat of the sin-offering that is for the people and bring his blood within the veil and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock and sprinkle it upon the mercy-seat and before the mercy-seat 16. And he shall make an atonement for the holy place because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel and because of their transgressions in all their sins and so shall he do for the tabernacle of the congregation that remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness 17. And there shall be no man in the tabernacle of the congregation when he goeth in to make an atonement in the holy place untill he come out and have made an atonement for himself and for his houshold and for all the congregation of Israel 18. And he shall go out unto the altar that is before the LORD and make an atonement for it and shall take of the blood of the bullock and of the blood of the goat and put it upon the horns of the altar round about 19. And he shall sprinkle of the blood upon it with his finger seven times and cleanse it and hallow it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel 20. And when he hath made an end of reconciling the holy place and the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar he shall bring the live goat 21. And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel and all their transgressions in all their sins putting them upon the head of the goat and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness 22. And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness 23. And Aaron shall come into the tabernacle of the congregation and shall put off the linen garments which he put on when he went into the holy place and shall leave them there 24. And he shall wash his flesh with water in the holy place and put on his garments and come forth and offer his burnt-offering and the burnt-offering of the people and make an atonement for himself and for the people 25. And the fat of the sin-offering shall he burn upon the altar 26. And he that let go the goat for the scape-goat shall wash his clothes and bathe his flesh in water and afterward come into the camp 27. And the bullock for the sin-offering and the goat for the sin-offering whose blood was brought in to make atonement in the holy place shall one carry forth without the camp and they shall burn in the fire their skins and their flesh and their dung 28. And he that burneth them shall wash his clothes and bathe his flesh in water and afterward he shall come into the camp 29. And this shall be a statute for ever unto you that in the seventh month on the tenth day of the month ye shall afflict your souls and do no work at all whether it be one of your own country or a stranger that sojourneth among you 30. For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you to cleanse you that ye may be clean from all your sins before the LORD 31. It shall be a sabbath of rest unto you and ye shall afflict your souls by a statute for ever 32. And the priest whom he shall anoint and whom he shall consecrate to minister in the priest's office in his father's stead shall make the atonement and shall put on the linen clothes even the holy garments 33. And he shall make an atonement for the holy sanctuary and he shall make an atonement for the tabernacle of the congregation and for the altar and he shall make an atonement for the priests and for all the people of the congregation 34. And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you to make an atonement for the children of Israel for all their sins once a year And he did as the LORD commanded Moses 1. DEath Chap. 10.2 2. Come not Exod 30.10 Heb. 9.7 This is to be understood with reference to the Priestly Service or Ministration See Heb. 9.6 7. Upon other necessary occasions the High-priest might enter into the most Holy place viz. When the Tabernacle was taken down or set up according to the Removals of the Israelites c. Into the holy place i. e. The Holy of Holies as appears by what follows This was a Figure of Heaven Heb. 9.12 24. And the High-priest's going into it of our Saviour Christ's entring into Heaven Heb. 9.11 12. In the cloud i. e. In the Cloud or Smoak of the Incense mentioned v. 13. and which was to be offered but once in the year 3. With a young Bullock Of his own and for his own and his families Sin v. 6. 4. The holy linen Coat c. The Service peculiar to this day was to be performed by the High-priest in his linen Vestments not in his more costly Attire of Gold This meaner Garb being judged more agreeable with that Sorrow and Repentance which the Service of the day required Vpon his flesh Flesh is to be understood in the sense in which it is taken ch 15.2 6. Make an atonement Heb. 9.7 His house i. e. The rest of the Priests v. 33. who are called the House of Aaron Psal 135.19 8. One lot for the LORD i. e. One Lot was so marked that it did express that it belonged to the Lord and the Goat on which it fell was to be Sacrificed The Sufferings of Christ are hereby prefigured which how casual soever they might seem to us to be did not happen without the particular Providence and Counsel of God Prov. 16.33 Act. 4.28 Scape-goat Heb. Azazeel i. e. The Goat which was to be sent away alive into a place not inhabited 9. Fell Heb. Went up There is no inconsistence between the Marginal reading and the Text The High-priest took the two Lots out of a Box and lift up his Hands on high and then put each
Seed of Aaron This belongs to the Daughters as well as the Sons of the Priests for tho' they were allowed to eat of some Holy Things yet they might not do it in their Uncleanness Numb 18.11 19. Running issue Heb. Running of the reins ch 15.2 5. Creeping thing The touching of which when dead rendred Men unclean ch 11.31 A man i. e. A dead Man or a Leper ch 13.45 and 15.5 7. His food i. e. His portion allowed him to eat of 8. That which dieth Exod. 22.31 Ezek. 44.31 9. Sin i. e. The punishment of Sin ch 19.17 Die viz. By the hand of God 10. Stranger i. e. One who is not of the Seed of Aaron or the Family of the Priests A sojourner i. e. One who dwells in his House but is no part of his Family Hired servant He is one whom he hires for a certain time and is not therefore of his Family 11. Buy any soul i. e. Buy any Person for a Servant viz. a Canaanite c. who was upon his purchase reputed one of his Family whom he was obliged to provide for With his money Heb. With the purchase of his money Born in his house Of such whom he purchased or were left him by his Ancestors 12. A stranger Heb. A man a stranger i. e. One who is not of the Seed of Aaron 13. As in her youth Ch. 10.14 14. Fifth i. e. If it were worth five pieces of Silver he shall restore six that is the Principal and one fifth part of the value of it 16. Suffer them to bear the iniquity of trespass when they eat Or Lade themselves with the iniquity of trespass in their eating 18. Strangers i. e. Proselytes 19. At your own will Or rather for your favourable acceptance That is that you may be accepted favourably by God v. 20. 20. But whatsoever Deut. 15.21 and 17.1 21. Sheep Or Goats 22. Blind or broken or maimed c. These are the general Heads of those blemishes which rendered a Beast unfit for the Altar It might be blind in part or in whole It might be broken or maimed in several manners The Jews from these general expressions have reckoned up no less than fifty Blemishes which rendred a Beast unfit for the Altar 23. Lamb Or Kid. Superfluous Ch. 21.18 A free-will-offering Not for a Sacrifice upon the Altar v. 20. but the price thereof was accepted toward the reparation of the Sanctuary as the Jewish Writers observe What we here translate That mayest thou offer does not imply that it might be offered upon the Altar Besides it may be rendered from the Hebrew That mayest thou make Or thou shalt make What was set aside to an holy use might well be called an offering or gift See Luk. 21.4 Vow Which supposes a precedent Obligation whereas the Free-will-offering was brought upon mere good will See Mal. 1.14 24. In your land i. e. No Israelite shall do it See the next words v. 25. 25. A Stranger 's i. e. A Gentile's The bread of your God i. e. An Oblation offered upon God's Altar as appears from the Context Of any of these i. e. Of such as are legally unfit and such which are mentioned as such in the foregoing words For it follows here Because their corruption is in them and blemishes be in them The accepting of any Oblation from the hand of a Gentile is not here forbid but of such an Oblation as is corrupted or blemished Vid. Seld. de jure natural c. l. iij. c. 7. 27. Seven days Exod. 22.30 28. Ew Or She-goat And her young Deut. 22.6 This Precept recommends to us Mercy and Forbearance 30. None of it Ch. 7.15 32. I will be hallowed Ch. 10.3 CHAP. XXIII The ARGUMENT Of the Sabbath Of the Passover and Feast of unleavened Bread Of the Sheaf of First-fruits and of the Feast of Pentecost Gleanings to be left for the Poor Of the Feast of Trumpets and the day of Expiation Of the Feast of Tabernacles 1. AND the LORD spake unto Moses saying 2. Speak unto the children of Israel and say unto them Concerning the feasts of the LORD which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations even these are my feasts 3. Six days shall work be done but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest an holy convocation ye shall do no work therein it is the sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings 4. These are the feasts of the LORD even holy convocations which ye shall proclaim in their seasons 5. In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the LORD's passover 6. And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the LORD seven days ye must eat unleavened bread 7. In the first day ye shall have an holy convocation ye shall do no servile work therein 8. But ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD seven days in the seventh day is an holy convocation ye shall do no servile work therein 9. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 10. Speak unto the children of Israel and say unto them When ye be come into the land which I give unto you and shall reap the harvest thereof then ye shall bring a sheaf of the first-fruits of your harvest unto the priest 11. And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD to be accepted for you on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it 12. And ye shall offer that day when ye wave the sheaf an be-lamb without blemish of the first year for a burnt-offering unto the LORD 13. And the meat-offering thereof shall be two tenth-deals of fine flour mingled with oyl an offering made by fire unto the LORD for a sweet savour and the drink-offering thereof shall be of wine the fourth part of an hin 14. And ye shall eat neither bread nor parched corn nor green ears untill the self-same day that ye have brought an offering unto your God It shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings 15. And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave-offering seven sabbaths shall be compleat 16. Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days and ye shall offer a new meat-offering unto the LORD 17. Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave-loaves of two tenth-deals they shall be of fine flour they shall be baken with leaven they are the first-fruits unto the LORD 18. And ye shall offer with the bread seven lambs without blemish of the first year and one young bullock and two rams they shall be for a burnt-offering unto the LORD with their meat-offering and their drink-offerings even an offering made by fire of sweet savour unto the LORD 19. Then ye shall sacrifice one kid of the goats for a sin-offering and two lambs of the first year for a sacrifice of peace-offerings 20. And the priest shall
wave them with the bread of the first-fruits for a wave-offering before the LORD with the two lambs they shall be holy to the LORD for the priest 21. And ye shall proclaim on the self-same day that it may be an holy convocation unto you ye shall do no servile work therein It shall be a statute for ever in all your dwellings throughout your generations 22. And when ye reap the harvest of your land thou shalt not make clean riddance of the corners of thy field when thou reapest neither shalt thou gather any gleaning of thy harvest thou shalt leave them unto the poor and to the stranger I am the LORD your God 23. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 24. Speak unto the children of Israel saying In the seventh month in the first day of the month shall ye have a sabbath a memorial of blowing of trumpets an holy convocation 25. Ye shall do no servile work therein but ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD 26. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 27. Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement it shall be an holy convocation unto you and ye shall afflict your souls and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD 28. And ye shall do no work in that same day for it is a day of atonement to make an atonement for you before the LORD your God 29. For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day he shall be cut off from among his people 30. And whatsoever soul it be that doeth any work in that same day the same soul will I destroy from among his people 31. Ye shall do no manner of work It shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings 32. It shall be unto you a sabbath of rest and ye shall afflict your souls in the ninth day of the month at even from even unto even shall ye celebrate your sabbath 33. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 34. Speak unto the children of Israel saying The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the LORD 35. On the first day shall be an holy convocation ye shall do no servile work therein 36. Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD on the eighth day shall be an holy convocation unto you and ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD it is a solemn assembly and ye shall do no servile work therein 37. These are the feasts of the LORD which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations to offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD a burnt-offering and a meat-offering a sacrifice and drink-offerings every thing upon his day 38. Beside the sabbaths of the LORD and beside your gifts and beside all your vows and beside all your free-will-offerings which ye give unto the LORD 39. Also in the fifteenth day of the seventh month when ye have gathered in the fruit of the land ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days on the first day shall be a sabbath and on the eighth day shall be a sabbath 40. And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees branches of palm-trees and the boughs of thick-trees and willows of the brook and ye shall rejoyce before the LORD your God seven days 41. And ye shall keep it a feast unto the LORD seven days in the year It shall be a statute for ever in your generations ye shall celebrate it in the seventh month 42. Ye shall dwell in booths seven days all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths 43. That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt I am the LORD your God 44. And Moses declared unto the children of Israel the feasts of the LORD 2. Proclaim Or Call They might be said to be proclaimed as there was publick notice given of them by the Order of the Sanedrim and the Sound of Trumpets vid. Numb 10.2 10. 3. Six days Exod 20.9 Deut. 5.13 Luk. 13.14 The Sabbath-day is considered here distinct from the Feasts v. 2. with verses 37 38. and introductory to them that being a weekly Solemnity and the Feasts which follow yearly No work i. e. None whatsoever must be done on the Sabbath-day or on the day of Expiation v. 28 30. In the other Festivals which follow servile work onely was forbidden v. 7 8 21 25 35 36. It was lawfull on the other Festivals to provide what was to be eaten Exod. 12.16 This was unlawfull on the Sabbath or Day of Expiation Exod. 16.23 Levit. 16.29 In all your dwellings The Sabbath was to be kept in their several Tribes and Habitations whereas the following Feasts were to be kept before the Sanctuary 5. In the fourteenth Exod. 12.18 Numb 28.16 At even Or between the two Evenings See the Notes on Exod. 12.6 7. Servile work i. e. Laborious work and such as we commonly put our Slaves or Servants to See v. 3. 10. Land This Precept was annexed to the Land of Canaan and did not oblige the Jews before they came into it nor can it oblige those who were afterward forced to live elsewhere A sheaf Or handfull Heb. Omer So much as would yield an Omer or the tenth part of an Ephah Exod. 16.36 11. To be accepted for you viz. As a Tribute of praise or ackâ—owledgment of God's mercy in bestowing upon them the Fruits of the Earth Before this they might not reap Joseph Antiq. l. 3. c. 10. nor eat of the Harvest v. 14. On the morrow after the Sabbath i. e. On the Sixteenth day of Nisan which was the day after the first day of Unleavened Bread which is called the Sabbath or day of rest from their servile work v. 7. See Deut. 16.9 By Sabbath here cannot be meant the Seventh day of the week excepting onely when that happened to be on the Fifteenth day of Nisan or March as appears from comparing v. 15. with Deut. 16.9 And therefore the Chaldee renders Sabbath by Good day or Festival in this place 13. Hin See Exod 29.40 15. Ye shall count Deut. 16.9 16. Fifty days Hence this Feast is called Pentecost in the New Testament Act. 2.1 1 Cor. 16.8 It is also called the Feast of Weeks because it began on the morrow after seven Weeks which they counted from the morrow after the Sabbath mentioned v. 15. It is likewise called the Feast of Harvest Exod. 34.22 and ch 23.16 That is of their Wheat-harvest For the Barley-harvest was before that of the Wheat in Canaan Ruth 1.22 with ch 2.23 as well as in Egypt Exod. 9.31 32. This Feast was observed to acknowledge God's mercy in sending them this Harvest and it is probable also that it was observed in memory of their receiving the Law
bread again by weight and ye shall eat and not be satisfied 27. And if ye will not for all this hearken unto me but walk contrary unto me 28. Then I will walk contrary unto you also in fury and I even I will chastise you seven times for your sins 29. And ye shall eat the flesh of your sons and the flesh of your daughters shall ye eat 30. And I will destroy your high places and cut down your images and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols and my soul shall abhor you 31. And I will make your cities waste and bring your sanctuaries unto desolation and I will not smell the savour of your sweet odours 32. And I will bring the land into desolation and your enemies which dwell therein shall be astonished at it 33. And I will scatter you among the heathen and will draw out a sword after you and your land shall be desolate and your cities waste 34. Then shall the land enjoy her sabbaths as long as it lieth desolate and ye be in your enemy's land even then shall the land rest and enjoy her sabbaths 35. As long as it lieth desolate it shall rest because it did not rest in your sabbaths when ye dwelt upon it 36. And upon them that are left alive of you I will send a faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies and the sound of a shaken leaf shall chase them and they shall flee as fleeing from a sword and they shall fall when none pursueth 37. And they shall fall one upon another as it were before a sword when none pursueth and ye shall have no power to stand before your enemies 38. And ye shall perish among the heathen and the land of your enemies shall eat you up 39. And they that are left of you shall pine away in their iniquity in your enemy's lands and also in the iniquities of their fathers shall they pine away with them 40. If they shall confess their iniquity and the iniquity of their fathers with their trespass which they trespassed against me and that also they have walked contrary unto me 41. And that I also have walked contrary unto them and have brought them into the land of their enemies if then their uncircumcised hearts be humbled and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity 42. Then will I remember my covenant with Jacob and also my covenant with Isaac and also my covenant with Abraham will I remember and I will remember the land 43. The land also shall be left of them and shall enjoy her sabbaths while she lieth desolate without them and they shall accept of the punishment of their iniquity because even because they despised my judgments and because their soul abhorred my statutes 44. And yet for all that when they be in the land of their enemies I will not cast them away neither will I abhor them to destroy them utterly and to break my covenant with them for I am the LORD their God 45. But I will for their sakes remember the covenant of their ancestors whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the heathen that I might be then God I am the LORD 46. These are the statutes and judgments and laws which the LORD made between him and the children of Israel in mount Sinai by the hand of Moses 1. IDols See the Notes on ch 19.4 and Exod. 20.4 Deut. 5.8 and 16.12 Ps 97.7 Standing image or pillar viz. For Religious Worship Civil Monuments are not here forbid Gen. 35.20 2 Sam. 18.18 Image of stone Or Figured stone Heb. A stone of picture A Stone of Worship or Adoration as the Chaldee hath it 2. Ye shall c. See ch 19.30 3. If ye c. Deut. 28.1 4. I will give God is onely able to give it Jer. 14.22 In due season Deut. 28.12 and Jer. 5.24 5. Vnto the vintage This is an expression that imports great plenty The Threshing implies an old store this Vintage a present increase and at the same time a seasonable Seed-time fair hopes of a succeeding year Amos 9.13 This Promise is made to them upon condition of their Obedience and probably with a particular respect to the Precepts ch 25.4 11. See Verse 20 21 of that Chapter Dwell Job 11.18 and Lev. 25.18 6. Ye shall lie Job 11.19 Rid Heb. Cause to cease by destroying them or their enmity Job 5.23 Hos 2.18 Go through Namely to wast as appears from v. 7. 8. Five c. Josh 23.10 9. Establish That is keep and continue to do it Vid. Gen. 6.18 10. Because of the new Or Before the new i. e. The New shall be ready for you before ye have spent your Old Store See ch 25.22 11. I will set my tabernacle God promises them in token of his great Favour to them Rev. 21.3 that he would after a more peculiar manner be present with them in his Sanctuary And this was a token of a greater Favour still in sending the Messias who should take upon him our Flesh and Tabernacle among us Joh. 1.14 and ch 2.21 Colos 2.9 Ezek. 37.24 27. 12. I will walk c. 2 Cor. 6.16 God promises to be with them during their Journies in the Wilderness as well as to continue with them afterwards 13. Vpright As it were holding up your heads ye being delivered from the yoke and burden which did before depress and bow you down Exod. 14.8 Numb 33.3 They came out of Egypt not like Slaves but Free-men 14. But c. Deut. 28.15 Lam. 2.17 Mal. 2.2 16. Over you Heb. Vpon you 17. Ye shall flee Prov. 28.1 18. Seven times more for your sins i. e. As your Sins after the aforesaid Judgments will be greater so I will bring many more Evils upon you for your persisting in them Seven times may well be taken as signifying often a certain number being put for an uncertain See Gen. 4.24 ch 33.3 19. The pride of your power That power in which you boast and vaunt As iron i. e. Hard or dry as Iron affording no Rain v. 4. As brass i. e. As unfruitfull as Brass 21. Contrary unto me Or at all adventures with me And so v. 24. The ancient Versions favour the rendring which we retain in the Text And then the word according to that sense implies a Contumacy or continuing in Rebellion against God after he chastiseth Men for their Sin vid. Job 15.25 The Jews follow that sense of our Marginal reading and expound the place of them who when they are afflicted by God for their Sins are so far from making the right use of their Sufferings that they rather look upon them as casual and contingent Things than any Argument of God's Displeasure or of his Care and Providence That say of any Evil God inflicts That it is not His hand that smote us it was a chance that happened to us 1 Sam. 6.9 This latter sense is not inconsistent with
shall add thereto the fifth part thereof 32. And concerning the tithe of the herd or of the flock even of whatsoever passeth under the rod the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD 33. He shall not search whether it be good or bad neither shall be change it and if he change it at all then both it and the change thereof shall be holy it shall not be redeemed 34. These are the commandments which the LORD commanded Moses for the children of Israel in mount Sinai 2. Make a singular vow i. e. Shall exempt and separate from common use The persons shall be for the LORD i. e. The value of these persons shall be for an Holy use For the persons themselves were redeemable as appears from what followeth and the price with which they were redeemed was set a-part for the reparation or service of the sanctuary 2 Kings 12.4 5. Where there is said to have been a Chamber on purpose to receive these Oblations Maimon Erachin chap. 1. By thy estimation i. e. According to the rate afterwards set down and fixed and which thou art to give as a Law to the Priests for the time to come v. 15. 3. Of the male i. e. Of every Male alike The difference of price respects the Sex and the Age not the other qualities and circumstances of the persons Shekels See the Notes on Gen. 20.16 8. If he be poorer c. i. e. He who made the Vow be not able to pay the fixed rate 9. Shall be holy Or separated to the Service of God and not be changed or redeemed v. 10 12. 10. He shall not alter c. It is not in their power to alienate what was before dedicated to God And an exchange in this case was forbid though for the better because they might not have any pretence of alienating what was before set a-part to an Holy use The Israelites are here greatly cautioned against this Sin in this Verse 11. Vnclean Beasts were said to be clean or unclean with respect to food Levit. 11.3 4. Or with respect to sacrifice Gen. 7.2 ch 8.20 And in this latter sense the word unclean is to be understood here as appears from the following words This Law doth also extend to Bullocks Sheep and Goats which yet were clean for Sacrifice as to their kind when by reason of some blemish or defect they became unfit for the Altar Maimon Erachin chap. 15. But it doth not extend to a Dog Deut. 23.18 12. As thou valuest it who art the Priest Heb. According to thy estimation O Priest 13. He shall add c. i. e. The first Owner Another Man was not under such an obligation but might have it at the price at which it was valued by the Priest The fifth part seems to be inflicted upon the first Owner for his unconstancy 14. Sanctifie his house c. i. e. Separate or set it a-part to the Service of God The price of which House when it was estimated and redeemed was taken into the Treasury of the Sanctuary and bestowed upon the Reparation of the House See verse 2. 15. The fifth part See verse 13. 16. An homer c. Or the land of an homer c. i. e. Not the Land which bears so much which would suppose the Price uncertain and variable but the Land which requires so much Seed Homer is a Measure containing ten Ephahs Ezek. 45.11 An Ephah contained very near our Bushes See the Notes on Exod. 16.36 An Homer and a Cor are the same measure Ezek. 45.14 And both the Greek and Chaldee in this place render Homer by Cor. 17. From the year Or before the year See verse 18. 20. Or if he have sold It may be as well translated And if he have sold Which is not to be understood of the first Owner who had no right to sell the Field which he had dedicated to God but of the Treasurer in whose power it was to sell and to convert the price thereof to an Holy use 21. Devoted See v. 28. The possession thereof shall be the Priest's But the Priests are to pay a price for it which is to be laid up for the maintaining the Sanctuary Maim Erachin chap. 4. 22. Bought Not being his Paternal inheritance 25. Twenty Gerahs Exod. 30.13 Numb 3.47 Ezek. 45.12 26. Firstling c. Heb. First-born c. No man shall sanctifie it The reason follows It is the LORD's God had by his Command required that the First-born should be sanctified or set a-part and a Man cannot separate or sanctifie that which he hath no right to 28. Notwithstanding Josh 6.19 Devoted thing This was a thing so vowed and dedicâ—â—â—d to God or to dâ—â—â—â—tion that he that dedicated it or executed God's sentence was to disclaim all title and claim to the Things or Persons or the common use of them for the future Most holy Levit. 2.3 29. Of men Men were sometimes devoted to destruction by God's appointment Deut. 25.19 Josh 6.17 sometimes by Men Numb 21.2 3. Exod. 22.20 32. Passeth under the rod These words intimate the way of Tithing when the Tenth was set out as the Flock or Herd went out of the Fold and were numbred by him that set out the Tenth with a Stick or Staff in his hand pointing to it Jer. 33.13 33. Change See verse 10. THE Fourth Book of Moses CALLED NUMBERS THE General Argument OF THE Fourth Book of MOSES CALLED NUMBERS THIS Book is called Numbers from the subject matter which it begins withall viz. An account of the number of the People of Israel This Account is taken by God's special command to Moses in taking of which he was assisted by Aaron as well as by the Princes of Israel ch 1.44 This Account is laid before us ch 1. And the diligent Reader may from the Relation there given discern the special Providence of God over that People and see very good reason for the Order in which the several Tribes are placed and also why the Levites are not numbred here among the other Tribes We have next an Account of the Order of the several Tribes in their Tents and of the number of their several Camps ch 2. Next follows an Account of the Sons of Aaron and of the setting aside the Levites to the Service of the Tabernacle instead of the First-born of the number and charge of these Levites and of the Redemption of the First-born of the Israelites who were not redeemed by the Levites ch 3. We have an Account ch 4. of the Charge and Service of the Levites who are numbred from thirty years old to the age of fifty We have after this several Laws viz. Concerning removing the Unclean out of the Camp Of Restitution in case of Trespass Of the tryal of Jealousie Of the Nazarites Of the form of blessing the People and then we have a relation of the Offerings of the Princes at the Dedication of the Tabernacle and Altar ch 5 6 7. Of lighting the Lamps and
well become us to observe it But still we must do all we possibly can to exclude those from the participation of Holy Things who live in contradiction to the Precepts of our Holy Religion III. The Law concerning Restitution in case of a Trespass mentioned in the same Chapter This is of great use to us and shews us the absolute necessity of making restitution for any wrong or injury that we have done By this Law he that had done the wrong was obliged to make Restitution to the injured person and he is directed what to doe in case the injured person could not be found 'T was not his confessing his sin not his Sacrifice with that Confession that would procure his Pardon if he did not make Restitution as he is directed there This is the Doctrine of the Law and of the Prophets also Ezek. 33.15 as well as of the New Testament Luk. 18.8 Rom. 13.8 9. This is a most unquestionable truth and that the Reader ought to lay to Heart IV. The passages related ch 11 12. are of great moment towards the awakening us to avoid Murmuring Discontent and Sedition We have severe Examples related there of the sad effects of those sins and the Mischiefs that follow upon such Crimes are unspeakable No Man can tell where his Discontent will stop or what will be the effects of it Let us see how the Apostle applies this Neither murmur ye as some of them also murmured and were destroyed of the destroyer Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples and they are written for our admonition upon whom the ends of the world are come Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall 1 Cor. 10.10 11 12. V. The Account we have of the Spies sent into the Land of Canaan and of their Report of it and what followed thereupon ch 13 14. This represents to us the great mischief of Diffidence and Distrust and contempt of the Kingdom of Heaven Let us see how the Author of the Epistle to the Hebrews applies this To whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest but to them that believed not So we see they could not enter in because of unbelief Let us therefore fear lest a promise being left us of entring into his rest any of you should seem to come short of it Heb. 3.18 19. and ch 4.1 It follows Let us therefore labour to enter into that rest lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief v. 11. Those Men that went to see the Land owned it to be a good Land and brought some of the Fruit thereof thence But after all they discouraged the People from the difficulties that would attend their Conquest of it notwithstanding the many Experiences which they had received of the Power and Providence of God These Men died by the Plague in the Wilderness the murmuring Israelites wandered about in it till they were consumed and they were a sad example of Distrust and Unbelief VI. The account we have of the Rebellion of Korah Dathan and Abiram ch 16. This Relation is of great moment to keep Men from the like sin for the time to come These Men rebelled against Moses and Aaron whom God had chosen The Rebels were swallowed up by the Earth and consumed with Fire from Heaven and God took care for the perpetuating the Memory of their sin and asserting the Divine right of the Priesthood They envyed Moses in the Camp and Aaron the saint of the Lord. The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan and covered the company of Abiram And a fire was kindled in their company the flame burnt up the wicked Ps 106.16 17 18. God would have the Israelites keep up the Memory of these things and learn from this sad example to have due regard to them whom he chose to Minister in Holy Things And to this purpose he commands that Plates should be made of the Censers of the Rebels for the Altar of Burnt-offering that so there might remain a Memorial of this fatal Rebellion in the view of the People He caused also Aaron's Rod to flourish and to be preserved as a token against the Rebels And upon that follows a most particular account ch 18. of the Honorary Maintenance of the Priests Such care God thought fit to take to vindicate the Priests his Servants and to keep up the Memory of this Relation VII The account we have of the People's being bitten with the Fiery Serpents and healed by looking upon the Brazen Serpent ch 21. This cure was as the Jews call it a Miracle in a Miracle The Brazen Serpent was a Type of the Death of Christ Joh. 3.14 by whose Stripes we are healed This Brazen Serpent is called by the Author of the Book of Wisdom A Sign of Salvation It was put upon a Pole or set up for a Sign and he that looked upon it lived i. e. Recovered of the harm he had received from the bite of the Fiery Serpent He that turned himself toward it was not saved by the thing that he saw but by thee that art the Saviour of all Wisdom 16.6 7. Thus did God sending his own son in the likeness of sinfull flesh and for sin condemned sin in the flesh Rom. 8.3 VIII The account of Balak's sending to Balaam to curse the Israelites and his coming to him upon this occasion and what he said and did follows in Chapters 22 23 24. And that Relation is of great use to us and such as well deserves our serious reflecting upon It lets us know that we need not fear the Curses of a false Prophet nor the attempts of our most powerfull Enemies whiles we do adhere to God and keep his Laws God will so long defend us and then we need not fear what Man can do unto us We have also in that Relation many excellent Prophecies and one particularly of the Messias of which the Reader will find an account in the Notes in their proper place IX The account of the Whoredom and Idolatry of the People at Shittim ch 25. We have there a particular account of the sin and very exemplary punishment of the People for their Wickedness And the Reader will easily believe that this was contrived by Balaam from what hath been said to that purpose in the Noâ—es upon that History which follow Balaam could not prevail by Inchantments and Divination by Sacrifices or Magical Arts. He took the onely course that was left and that was to tempt them by the Women of Midian to Whoredom first and then to Idolatry The Beauty of the Women was the first snaâ—e and thence they were drawn on to commit Idolatry They called the people to the sacrifices of their Gods And the people did eat and bowed down to their Gods Thus were they joined unto Baal Peor and did eat the sacrifices of the dead Ps 106.28 Thus did the People fall by their own Wickedness whom Balaam and Balak could never have harmed
any other way So true are the words of Solomon Righteousness exalteth a nation but sin is a reproach to any people Prov. 14.34 This passage deserves great consideration It is not onely the Duty but the Interest of Kings and Governours to encourage Men in the exercise of true Religion and by all possible ways and means to suppress Vice and all Profaneness Where-ever a People are profane they are weak at the same time Besides that they by their Wickedness call down the Vengeance of Heaven their very Wickedness does infeeble them and render them an easie Prey to their Enemies The Israelites were strong while Innocent when they had forsaken their God they fell Let us hear what Balaam was forc'd to say before their Whoredom and Idolatry He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel The Lord his God is with him and the shout of a king is among them God brought them out of Egypt He hath as it were the strength of an Vnicorn surely there is no enchantment against Jacob neither is there any divination against Israel 〈◊〉 Behold the people shall rise up as a great Lion and lift up himself as a young Lion He shall not lie down till he eat of the prey and drink the blood of the slain Numb 23.21 22 23 24. This was the condition of Israel but alas they soon fell by their own Follies whom no Power or Malice of their Enemies could have hurt There is nothing a plainer and more incontestable Truth than this That true Religion and Vertue is not onely the Glory but the Strength and Safety of any Nation or Kingdom On the other hand Vice and Wickedness Profaneness and Discontent are the greatest Mischiefs and the saddest Presages of the Ruin of any People The History of the Israelites delivered in this Book will confirm any considering Man in this belief Here we have a Relation of their Follies and their Wandrings of their Vices and their Plagues of their Sin and Punishment They were delivered from the Egyptians and from Amalek They needed not to fear their Enemies about them They fell indeed in the Wilderness but they fell as the Jews say a drunken Man does he needs none to throw him down he falls of himself They fell by their own Lust their Discontent their Profaneness and Idolatry God grant that we when we seem to stand may take heed lest we fall X. There are in this excellent Book many other things of admirable use for the better understanding the Jewish Religion and the other parts of the Holy Writ which I have not time in this place to enlarge upon but such things they are as will entertain with great variety and delight the inquisitive and diligent Reader Such are the Law of the Nazarite's Vow concerning the Water of Jealousie The form of blessing the People The Law about a Second Passeover The Relation of the guidance of the Cloud and the Law concerning sins of Ignorance and Presumption and of the Ashes of the red Heifer The Relation of the smiting the Rock by Moses Of the Conquest of Sihon and Og The Laws concerning the stated Sacrifices and concerning dividing the Spoil Concerning Inheritances and the Marriage of Heiresses Every one of which will deserve a serious Consideration NOTES ON THE Book of NUMBERS CHAP. I. The ARGUMENT Moses is commanded to number the People The Princes of the Tribes who were appointed to assist in numbring them The People of the several Tribes are numbered from Twenty years old and upward The Number of the whole The Levites are not numbred but appointed to their Office 2514. 1490. 1. AND the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai in the tabernacle of the congregation on the first day of the second month in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt saying 2. Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel after their families by the house of their fathers with the number of their names every male by their poll 3. From twenty years old and upward all that are able to go forth to war in Israel thou and Aaron shall number them by their armies 4. And with you there shall be a man of every tribe every one head of the house of his fathers 5. And these are the names of the men that shall stand with you Of the tribe of Reuben Elizur the son of Shedeur 6. Of Simeon Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai 7. Of Judah Nahshon the son of Aminadab 8. Of Issachar Nethaneel the son of Zuar 9. Of Zebulun Eliab the son of Helon 10. Of the children of Joseph of Ephraim Elishama the son of Ammibud of Manasseb Gamaliel the son Pedahzur 11. Of Benjamin Abidan the son of Gideoni 12. Of Dan Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai 13. Of Asher Pagiel the son of Ocran 14. Of Gad Estasaph the son of Deuel 15. Of Naphtali Ahira the son of Enan 16. These were the renowned of the congregation princes of the tribes of their fathers heads of thousands in Israel 17. And Moses and Aaron took these men which are expressed by their names 18. And they assembled all the congregation together on the first day of the second month and they dâ—â—lared their pedigrees after their families by the house of their fathers according to the number of the names from twenty years old and upward by their poll 19. As the LORD commanded Moses so he numbred them in the wilderness of Sinai 20. And the children of Reuben Israel's eldest son by their generations after their families by the house of their fathers according to the number of the names by their poll every male from twenty years old and upward all that were able to go forth to war 21. Those that were numbred of them even of the tribe of Reuben were forty and six thousand and five hundred 22. Of the children of Simeon by their generations after their families by the house of their fathers those that were numbred of them according to the number of the names by their polls every male from twenty years old and upward all that were able to go forth to war 23. Those that were numbred of them even of the tribe of Simeon were fifty and nine thousand and three hundred 24. Of the children of Gad by their generations after their families by the house of their fathers according to the number of the names from twenty years old and upward all that were able to go forth to war 25. Those that were numbred of them even of the tribe of Gad were forty and five thousand six hundred and fifty 26. Of the children of Judah by their generations after their families by the house of their fathers according to the number of the names from twenty years old and upward all that were able to go forth to war 27. Those that were numbred of them even of the tribe of Judah were threescore and fourteen
thousand and six hundred 28. Of the children of Issachar by their generations after their families by the house of their fathers according to the number of the names from twenty years old and upward all that were able to go forth to war 29. Those that were numbred of them even of the tribe of Issachar were fifty and four thousand and four hundred 30. Of the children of Zebulun by their generations after their families by the house of their fathers according to the number of the names from twenty years old and upward all that were able to go forth to war 31. Those that were numbred of them even of the tribe of Zebulun were fifty and seven thousand and four hundred 32. Of the children of Joseph namely of the children of Ephraim by their generations after their families by the house of their fathers according to the number of the names from twenty years old upward all that were able to go forth to war 33. Those that were numbred of them even of the tribe of Ephraim were forty thousand and five hundred 34. Of the children of Manasseh by their generations after their families by the house of their fathers according to the number of the names from twenty years old and upward all that were able to go forth to war 35. Those that were numbred of them even of the tribe of Manasseh were thirty and two thousand and two hundred 36. Of the children of Benjamin by their generations after their families by the house of their fathers according to the number of the names from twenty years old and upward all that were able to go forth to war 37. Those that were numbred of them even of the tribe of Benjamin were thirty and five thousand and four hundred 38. Of the children of Dan by their generations after their families by the house of their fathers according to the number of the names from twenty years old and upward all that were able to go forth to war 39. Those that were numbred of them even of the tribe of Dan were threescore and two thousand and seven hundred 40. Of the children of Asher by their generations after their families by the house of their fathers according to the number of the names from twenty years old and upward all that were able to go forth to war 41. Those that were numbred of them even of the tribe of Asher were forty and one thousand and five hundred 42. Of the children of Naphtali throughout their generations after their families by the house of their fathers according to the number of the names from twenty years old and upward all that were able to go forth to war 43. Those that were numbred of them even of the tribe of Naphtali were fifty and three thousand and four hundred 44. These are those that were numbred which Moses and Aaron numbred and the princes of Israel being twelve men each one was for the house of his fathers 45. So were all those that were numbred of the children of Israel by the house of their fathers from twenty years old and upward all that were able to go forth to war in Israel 46. Even all they that were numbred were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty 47. But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not numbred among them 48. For the LORD had spoken unto Moses saying 49. Onely thou shalt not number the tribe of Levi neither take the sum of them among the children of Israel 50. But thou shalt appoint the Levites ever the tabernacle of testimony and over all the vessels thereof and over all things that belong to it they shall bear the tabernacle and all the vessels thereof and they shall minister unto it and shall encamp round about the tabernacle 51. And when the tabernacle setteth forward the Levites shall take it down and when the tabernacle is to be pitched the Levites shall set it up and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death 52. And the children of Israel shall pitch their tents every man by his own camp and every man by his own standard throughout their hosts 53. But the Levites shall pitch round about the tabernacle of testimony that there be no wrath upon the congregation of the children of Israel and the Levites shall keep the charge of the tabernacle of testimony 54. And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses so did they 1. IN the Wilderness of Sinai 2514. 1490. Where the law was lately given and where they staid to the twentieth of this month ch 10.11 12. Of the second month This answers to our April It appears from these words compared with ch 9.1 that this Book does not always relate things in that order of time in which they came to pass Another proof of this some think they have by comparing ch 7.1 c. with Exod. 40.17 18. 2. Take ye the sum Exod. 30.12 This was three times done in the Wilderness viz. 1. Before the Tabernacle was set up Exod. 38.26 2. Here in the second Month of the second Year of their coming out of Egypt 3. After this Generation were destroyed for their Sins Numb 26.64 And the doing of it 〈◊〉 very instructive to the Israelites as it put them in mind of Gods vâ—racity in making good his promise Gen. 46. â— Of hâ—s Power and good Providence over them and his special Regard of them After their families i. e. The greater Families into which the twelve Tribes were divided first Numb 26.5 And these were afterward divided into lesser Families which were called by the Names of the several Fathers and Heads of it Josh 7.14 17. And are here expressed by the house of their fathers Fathers The Hebrew Writers lay it down as a Rule here That a Family is not named from the house of the mother 3. Twenty years old and upward This is particularly provided for in each of those Pollings above mentioned vid. Exod. 38.26 Numb 26.2 and Exod. 30.14 Numb 14.29.1.20.32.11 And it was unlawfull to attempt the Numbring of the whole People which by God's promise was to be Numberless Gen. 13.16.15.5.16.10.32.12 See 1 Chron. 27.23 24. and compare it with 2 Chron. 25.5 4. Head See verse 16. 16. These were the renowned c. i. e. Men very fit for this Employment being of great Note Authority and Eminence 18. First day Then they set upon the Work which they finished afterwards during their stay in the Wilderness of Sinai v. 19. 21. Forty and six thousand c. Though Reuben were the eldest Son of Jacob his Number was one of the smallest His Father had fore-told that he should â—â—t excell Gen. 49.4 And Moses said Let Reuben live and not die and let his men be few Deut. 33.6 24. Gad The reason why Gad the Son of an Hand-maid is next named whom the Greek omit iâ— this place putting in Judah and placing Gad after Benjamin may
the Standard of Judah and the Tabernacle ch 2.3 For the charge of the children of Israel See the Note on the 7th verse of this Chapter 39. Moses and Aaron See vers 14. Twenty and two thousand The foregoing summs amount to 22300 which is a greater number than that of the First-born of the Israelites which was but 22â—â—3 v. 43. And yet we find the number to be redeemed was 273 v. 46. so that three hundred are omitted here when the several Summs are collected and a price is paid for 273 which were indeed over and above the number here mentioned but 27 short of the real number of the Levites This difficulty will be removed if we grant that the 300 not reckoned here were the First-born of the Levites which being due to God before from the Tribe of Levi as well as the other Tribes Exod. 1â— 2 and ch 34.20 were not to be reckoned among those Levites who were to be taken instead of the First-born of Israel 40. From a month old Compare v. 15. 46. More then the Levites i. e. More then those Levites which were to be here accounted for and more then are reckoned v. 39. 47. The shekel Exod. 30.13 Levit. 27.25 chap. 18.16 Ezek. 45.12 51. According to the word V. 48. CHAP. IV. The ARGUMENT The Age and Time of the Levite's Service The Office of the Priests when the Camp set forward The Carriage of the Kohathites The Charge of Eleazar The Carriage of the Gershonites and of the Merarites who were under the direction of Ithamar The whole Number of the Levites from thirty to fifty Years old 1. AND the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron saying 2. Take the sum of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi after their families by the house of their fathers 3. From thirty years old and upward even untill fifty years old all that enter into the host to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation 4. This shall be the service of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation about the most holy things 5. And when the camp setteth forward Aaron shall come and his sons and they shall take down the covering veil and cover the ark of the testimony with it 6. And shall put thereon the covering of badger's skins and shall spread over it a cloth wholly of blue and shall put in the staves thereof 7. And upon the table of shew-bread they shall spread a cloth of blue and put thereon the dishes and the spoons and the bowls and covers to cover withall and the continual bread shall be thereon 8. And they shall spread upon them a cloth of scarlet and cover the same with a covering of badger's skins and shall put in the staves thereof 9. And they shall take a cloth of blue and cover the candlestick of the light and his lamps and his tongs and his snuff-dishes and all the oyl-vessels thereof wherewith they minister unto it 10. And they shall put it and all the vessels thereof within a coâ—â—ring of badger's skins and shall put it upon a bar 11. And upon the golden altar they shall spread a cloth of blue and cover it with a covering of badger's skins and shall put to the staves thereof 12. And they shall take all the instruments of ministery wherewith they minister in the sanctuary and put them in a cloth of blue and cover them with a covering of badger's skins and shall put them on a bar 13. And they shall take away the ashes from the altar and spread a purple cloth thereon 14. And they shall put upon it all the vessels thereof wherewith they minister about it even the censers the flesh-hooks and the shovels and the basons all the vessels of the altar and they shall spread upon it a covering of badger's skins and put to the staves of it 15. And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary and all the vessels of the sanctuary as the camp is to set forward after that the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it but they shall not touch any holy thing lest they die These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation 16. And to the office of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest pertaineth the oyl for the light and the sweet incense and the daily meat-offering and the anointing oyl and the over-sight of all the tabernacle and of all that therein is in the sanctuary and in the vessels thereof 17. And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron saying 18. Cut ye not off the tribe of the families of the Kohathites from among the Levites 19. But thus do unto them that they may live and not die when they approach unto the most holy things Aaron and his sons shall go in and appoint them every one to his service and to his burden 20. But they shall not go in to see when the holy things are covered lest they die 21. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 22. Take also the sum of the sons of Gershon throughout the houses of their fathers by their families 23. From thirty years old and upward untill fifty years old shalt thou number them all that enter in to perform the service to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation 24. This is the service of the families of the Gershonites to serve and for burdens 25. And they shall bear the curtains of the tabernacle and the tabernacle of the congregation his covering and the covering of the badger's skins that is above upon it and the hanging for the door of the tabernacle of the congregation 26. And the hangings of the court and the hanging for the door of the gate of the court which is by the tabernacle and by the altar round about and their cords and all the instruments of their service and all that is made for them so shall they serve 27. At the appointment of Aaron and his sons shall be all the service of the sons of the Gershonites in all their burdens and in all their service and ye shall appoint unto them in charge all their burdens 28. This is the service of the families of the sons of Gershon in the tabernacle of the congregation and their charge shall be under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest 29. As for the sons of Merari thou shalt number them after their familes by the house of their fathers 30. From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old shalt thou number them every onâ— that entreth in to the service to do the work of the tabernacle of the congregation 31. And this is the charge of their burden according to all their service in the tabernacle of the congregation the boards of the tabernacle and the bars thereof and the pillars thereof and sockets thereof 32. And the pillars of the court round about and their sockets and their
invading their Office Deut. 31.9 Josh 3.6 and 6.6 Die 1 Chron. 13.10 16. Sweet incensâ— Exod. 30.34 Anointing oyl Exod. 30.23 18. Cut ye not off i. e. Do not occasion their destruction by neglecting to appoint them to their Service and leaving the Holy things uncovered v. 19 20. 20. Lest they die See 1 Sam. 6.19 compared with Lev. 16.2 and Exod. 19.12 23. To perform the service Heb. To war the warfare 24. Burdens Or Carriage 25. The Curtains c. i. e. The ten Curtains and the eleven which are mentioned Exod. 26. His covering viz. That of Ram's Skins Exod 26.14 27. Appointment Heb. Mouth 28. Vnder the hand Or In the hand i. e. The care and direction v. 33. 30. Service Heb. Warfare 31. Boards Exod 26.15 32. By name These things being very many of the smallest value and therefore the more liable to miscarry are to be numbred up particularly that not a Pin or Cord might be wanting when the Tabernacle was to be set up again 44. Three thousand and two hundred The Number of the Merarites taken chap. 3. was less than that of the Gershonites or Kohathites But the Number of them who are fit for Service is greater than either of thâ—â— whereas there were four Families of the Kohathites and but two of the Merarites So that though they had the greatest burden and variety of things under their charge they had no cause to complain having also the greatest number of Men fit to do the work belonging to them And as their number and burden was great so was their allowance and encouragement also chap. 7.7 8 9. 47. To do the service of the ministery and the service of the burden See the Note on verse 3. 49. Thus were they numbred c. That they were numbred by Moses c. we are told before The design of Numbring seems to be intimated here as well as the Order in which they are numbred For here they are numbred according to their service and for that reason the Kohathites are first numbred because they were charged with the most Holy and Principal things belonging to the Sanctuary Elsewhere the Sons of Levi stand in another Order Gershon being first named then Kohath and Merari Exod. 6.16 And the same Order is observed where their Families are numbred from a month old and upwards Numb 3.21 27 33. CHAP. V. The ARGUMENT The Vnclean are removed out of the Camp Of Restitution in case of Wrong done Of the Water of Jealousie 1. AND the LORD spake unto Moses saying 2. Command the children of Israel that they put out of the camp every lâ—â—er and every one that hath an issue and whosoever is defiled by the dead 3. Both male and female shall ye put out without the camp shall ye put them that they defile not their camps in the midst whereof I dwell 4. And the children of Israel did so and put them out without the camp as the LORD spake unto Moses so did the children of Israel 5. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 6. Speak unto the children of Israel When a man or woman shall commit any sin that men commit to do a trespass against the LORD and that person be guilty 7. Then they shall confess their sin which they have done and he shall recompense his trespass with the principal thereof and add unto it the fifth part thereof and give it unto him against whom he hath trespassed 8. But if the man have no kinsman to recompense the trespass unto let the trespass be recompensed unto the LORD even to the priest beside the ram of the atonement whereby an atonement shall be made for him 9. And every offering of all the holy things of the children of Israel which they bring unto the priest shall be his 10. And every man's hallowed things shall be his whatsoever any man giveth the priest it shall be his 11. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 12. Speak unto the children of Israel and say unto them If any man's wife go aside and commit a trespass against him 13. And a man lie with her carnally and it be hid from the eyes of her husband and be kept close and she be defiled and there be no witness against her neither she be taken with the manner 14. And the spirit of jealousie come upon him and he be jealous of his wife and she be defiled or if the spirit of jealousie come upon him and he be jealous of his wife and she be not defiled 15. Then shall the man bring his wife unto the priest and he shall bring her offering for her the tenth part of an ephah of barley-meal he shall pour no oyl upon it nor put frankincense thereon for it is an offering of jealousie an offering of memorial bringing iniquity to remembrance 16. And the priest shall bring her near and set her before the LORD 17. And the priest shall take holy water in an earthen vessel and of the dust that is in the floor of the tabernacle the priest shall take and put it into the water 18. And the priest shall set the woman before the LORD and uncover the woman's head and put the offering of memorial in her hands which is the jealousie-offering and the priest shall have in his hand the bitter water that causeth the curse 19. And the priest shall charge her by an oath and say unto the woman If no man have lien with thee and if thou hast not gone aside to uncleanness with another in stead of thy husband be thou free from this bitter water that causeth the curse 20. But if thou hast gone aside to another in stead of thy husband and if thou be defiled and some man hath lien with thee beside thine husband 21. Then the priest shall charge the woman with an oath of cursing and the priest shall say unto the woman The LORD make thee a curse and an oath among thy people when the LORD doth make thy thigh to rot and thy belly to swell 22. And this water that causeth the curse shall go into thy bowels to make thy belly to swell and thy thigh to rot And the woman shall say Amen amen 23. And the priest shall write these curses in a book and he shall blot them out with the bitter water 24. And he shall cause the woman to drink the bitter water that causeth the curse and the water that causeth the curse shall enter into her and become bitter 25. Then the priest shall take the jealousie-offering out of the woman's hand and shall wave the offering before the LORD and offer it upon the altar 26. And the priest shall take an handfull of the offering even the memorial thereof and burn it upon the altar and afterward shall cause the woman to drink the water 27. And when he hath made her to drink the water then it shall come to pass that if she be defiled and have done trespass against her husband that the water
to separate themselves unto the LORD 3. He shall separate himself from wine and strong drink and shall drink no vinegar of wine or vinegar of strong drink neither shall â—e drink any liquor of grapes nor eat moist grapes or dried 4. All the days of his separation shall he eat nothing that is made of the vine-tree from the kernels even to the husk 5. All the days of the vow of his separation there shall no rasor come upon his head untill the days be fulfilled in the which he separateth himself unto the LORD he shall be holy and shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow 6. All the days that he separateth himself unto the LORD he shall come at no dead body 7. He shall not make himself unclean for his father or for his mother for his brother or for his sister when they die because the consecration of his God is upon his head 8. All the days of his separation he is holy unto the LORD 9. And if any man die very suddenly by him and he hath defiled the head of his consecration then he shall shave his head in the day of his cleansing on the seventh day shall he shave it 10. And on the eighth day he shall bring two turtles or two young pigeons to the priest to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation 11. And the priest shall offer the one for a sin-offering and the other for a burnt-offering and make an atonement for him for that he sinned by the dead and shall hallow his head that same day 12. And he shall consecrate unto the LORD the days of his separation and shall bring a lamb of the first year for a trespass-offering but the days that were before shall be lost because his separation was defiled 13. And this is the law of the Nazarite When the days of his separation are fulfilled he shall be brought unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation 14. And he shall offer his offering unto the LORD one he-lamb of the first year without blemish for a burnt-offering and one ew-lamb of the first year without blemish for a sin-offering and one ram without blemish for peace-offerings 15. And a basket of unleavened bread cakes of fine flour mingled with oyl and wafers of unleavened bread anointed with oyl and their meat-offering and their drink-offerings 16. And the priest shall bring them before the LORD and shall offer his sin-offering and his burnt-offering 17. And he shall offer the ram for a sacrifice of peace-offerings unto the LORD with the basket of unleavened bread the priest shall offer also his meat-offering and his drink-offering 18. And the Nazarite shall shave the head of his separation at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation and shall take the hair of the head of his separation and put it in the fire which is under the sacrifice of the peace-offerings 19. And the priest shall take the sodden shoulder of the ram and one unleavened cake out of the basket and one unleavened wafer and shall put them upon the hands of the Nazarite after the hair of his sepâ—ration is shavâ—n 20. And the priest shall wave them for a wave-offering before the LORD this is holy for the priest with the wave-breast and heave-shoulder and after that the Nazarite may drink wine 21. This is the law of the Nazarite who hath vowed and of his offering unto the LORD for his separation besides that that his hand shall get according to the vow which he vowed so he must do after the law of his separation 22. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 23. Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons saying On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel saying unto them 24. The LORD bless thee and keep thee 25. The LORD make his face shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee 26. The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee and give thee peace 27. And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel and I will bless them 2. A vow of a Nazarite i. e. A Religious promise of Abstinence for the Hebrew word signifies to separate or abstain Gen. 49.26 To separate themselves Or make themselves Nazarites Vnto the LORD By this Vow the Nazarite was separated to a greater measure of Sanctity and Obedience and therefore may be said to be separated unto the Lord As the Priests were whose Office and Employment required of them great degrees of Holiness 3. From wine and strong drink That is from Wine and any other Liquor that is apt to bring Drunkenness upon the drinker From new and old Wine says Onkelos The Priests are under the same Prohibition when they went into the Tabernacle Levit. 10.9 They who professed more than ordinary Sanctity were obliged to abstain from Wine as that which might make them forget the Law and might deprive them of the Power of judging of things a-right Prov. 31.5 Hos 4.11 Isa 28.7 with Levit. 10.10 11. 4. Separation Or Nazariteship See v. 1. Vine-tree Heb. Vine of the Wine 5. Rasor Judg. 13.5 1 Sam. 1.11 By Rasor here is meant any thing which took off the Hair Grow In token that he hath preserved himself from legal defilements For had he not he would have been obliged to cut off his Hair See v. 9. and Levit. 14.8 9. And therefore this is fitly subjoined to those words He shall be holy of which the growth of Hair was a proof 6. Dead body This was a Figure of dead Works which do really as a dead Body did legally defile the Man 7. He shall not make himself unclean c. This Law was also given to the Priest See the Notes on Levit. 21.1 Consecration Heb. Separation 9. Defiled Viz. By transgressing v. 6. His cleansing This day was the Seventh from his defilement according to the Law in this case Numb 19.11 12. 11. Sinned i. e. Contracted a Legal defilement by the Dead Hallow his head i. e. Sanctifie or separate his Head a-new 12. Lost Heb. Fall i. e. They shall not come into account as the Greek have it 14. His offering Both his Offering of Praise or Peace-offering for his having performed his Vow And also his Expiatory-offerings or Burnt and Sin-offerings in token of his need of God's Mercy and Pardon even when he had done his best 1 Cor. 4.4 15. Vnleavened bread See Levit. 7.12 And their meat-offering and their drink-offerings i. e. Besides what is mentioned before the ordinary Meat-offering and Drink-offerings of which see Numb 28. 18. And the Nazarite Act. 21.24 Shave This Shaving differs from that mentioned v. 9. which was for Uncleanness contracted whereas this was out of thankfulness for having fulfilled the Vow and for that reason the Hair was put into the fire under the Eucharistical or Peace-offering 19. The sodden shoulder This must be understood of the left shoulder because the right shoulder called the heave-shoulder Levit. 7.34 and in the 20th Verse of
unto the place of which the LORD said I will give it you come thou with us and we will do thee good for the LORD hath spâ—â—â—n good concerning Israel 30. And he said unto him I will not go but I will depart to mine own land and to my kindred 31. And he said Leave us not I pray thee forasmuch as thou knowest how we are to encamp in the wilderness and thou mayest be to us in stead of eyes 32. And it shall be if thou go with us yea it shall be that what goodness the LORD shall do unto us the same will we do unto thee 33. And they departed from the mount of the LORD three days journey and the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them in the three days journey to search out a resting-place for them 34. And the cloud of the LORD was upon them by day when they went out of the camp 35. And it came to pass when the ark set forward that Moses said Rise up LORD and let thine enemies be scattered and let them that hate thee flee before thee 36. And when it rested he said Return O LORD unto the many thousands of Israel 2. Two Trumpets The Sons of Aaron who were to blow with these Trumpets v. 8. were but two at this time when their number was encreased the number of Trumpets was also greater 2 Chron. 5.12 An whole piece viz. For the greater strength and preserving the more distinct and separate Sound 1 Cor. 14.8 3. Blow with them i. e. When the Priests v. 8. shall blow or make a simple or even Sound v. 5. with both of them v. 4. 5. An alarm Or Loud and broken Sound as the Hebrew word imports and the Context intimates Compare 1 Sam. 4.5 as it is in the Hebrew Text. 6. Second time The other times are also to be understood and are expressly mentioned by the Greek Interpreters 7. Not sound c. Because there will be no need of a loud Call See v. 3. and v. 5. 8. An ordinance for ever i. e. Not onely during the stay in the Wilderness but also in After-ages expressed here by throughout your generations 2 Chron. 5.12 9. And ye shall be remembred c. That is God will be mercifull to you See Onkelos and what follows But then it is to be considered that they were obliged by the blowing of the Trumpets to be awakened to a sense of their Sin and the need of God's Mercy Isa 58.1 with Joel 2.15 16 17. 2 Chron. 13.14 10. Gladness viz. Upon the account of Victory obtained or other times of extra-ordinary joy and festivity Solemn days Or Stated festivals of God's appointment Levit. 23. Ye shall blow with the trumpets This was as hath been observed the work of the Priests Compare with this place ch 29.1 1 Chron. 15.24 2 Chron. 5.12 and 7.6 and 29.26 Ezra 3.10 Nehem. 12.35 Psal 81.3 13. According to the commandment of the LORD The Will and Pleasure of God was signified to them by the removal of the Cloud v. 11 12. And by his express Command of which we find mention Deut. 1.6 7. 14. In the first place Chap. 2.3 Nahshon Ch. 1.4 20. Deuel See ch 2.14 21. Sanctuary Ch. 4.4 The other That is the Gershâ—nites and the Merarites v. 17. This they did that the Ark and other Holy Utensils carried by the Kohathites might be forth with received into their proper places 25. Rere-ward On the North-side ch 4.25 Here were collected or gathered together those not mentioned before and such as were less able to fight and those who were legally unclean ch 5.2 did as is probable attend upon his hindmost Standard See Josh 6.9 13. 28. Thus Heb. These 29. Hâ—bab The Father-in-law of Moses as he is called expressly Jud. 4.11 Elsewhere called Jethro Exod. 3.1 â—â— 18.1 31. In stead of eyes If not to guide us in our way which the Cloud was appointed to do yet to advise and counsel us upon occasion See Exod. 18. and the Greek on this place 33. The mount of the LORD That is Mount Sinai when God had after a glorious manner revealed himself unto the Israelites To search out a resting-place for them i. e. To prepare a place where the People might encamp which was signified to them by the resting of the Cloud over the Ark. 35. Rise up LORD Psal 68.1 2. Moses speaks to God who in the Ark was more peculiarly present Compare v. 33. with Deut. 1.33 36. Many thousands Heb. Ten thousand thousands CHAP. XI The ARGUMENT Of the Burning at Taberah The Israelites lust for Flesh and despise Monna Moses complains to God of his great Burden Seventy Men are appointed to bear the Burden with him Quails are given in anger A Plague is sent among them The place called Kibroth-Hattaavah The Israelites remove thence to Hazeroth 1. AND when the people complained it displeased the LORD and the LORD heard it and his anger was kindled and â—e fâ—e of the LORD burnt among â—hem and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp 2. And the people cried unto Moses and when Moses prayed unto the LORD the fire was quenched 3. And he called the name of the place Taberah because the fire of the LORD burnt among them 4. And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting and the children of Israel also wept again and said Who shall give us flesh to eat 5. We remember the fish which we did eat in Egypt freely the cucumbers and the melons and the leeks and the onions and the garlick 6. But now our soul is dried away there is nothing at all besides this manna before our eyes 7. And the manna was as coriander-seed and the colour thereof as the colour of bdellium 8. And the people went about and gathered it and ground it in mills or beat it in a mortar and baked it in pans and made cakes of it and the taste of it was as the taste of fresh oyl 9. And when the dew fell upon the camp in the night the manna fell upon it 10. Then Moses heard the people weep throughout their families every man in the door of his tent and the anger of the LORD was kindled greatly Moses also was displeased 11. And Moses said unto the LORD Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant and wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight that thou layest the burthen of all this people upon me 12. Have I conceived all this people have I begotten them that thou shouldest say unto me Carry them in thy bosom as a nursing-father beareth the sucking child unto the land which thou swarest unto their fathers 13. Whence should I have flesh to give unto all this people for they weep unto me saying Give us flesh that we may eat 14. I am not able to bear all this people alone becaâ—se it is too heavy for me 15. And if thou deal thus with me kill me I pray thee out
of hand if I have found favour in thy sight and let me not see my wretchedness 16. And the LORD said unto Moses Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people and officers over them and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation that they may stand there with thee 17. And I will come down and talk with thee there and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee and will put it upon them and they shall bear the burthen of the people with thee that thou bear it not thy self alone 18. And say thou unto the people Sanctifie your selves against to morrow and ye shall eat flesh for you have wept in the ears of the LORD saying Who shall give us flesh to eat for it was well with uâ— in Egypt therefore the LORD will give you flesh and ye shall eat 19. Ye shall not eat one day nor two days nor five dâ—ys neither ten days nor twenty days 20. But even a whole month untill it come out at your nostrils and it be lothsome unto you because that ye have despiseâ— the LORD which is among you and have wept before him saying Why came we forth out of Egypt 21. And Moses said The people amongst whom I am â—â—t six hundred thousand foot men and thou hast said I will giâ—e them flesh that they may eat a whole month 22. Shaâ—â— the flocks and the â—â—rdâ— be slain for them to suffice them or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them to suffice them 23. And the LORD said unto to Moses Is the LORD's hand waxed short thou shalt see now whether my words shall come to pass unto thee or not 24. And Moses went out and told the people the words of the LORD and gathered the seventy men of the elders of the people and set them round about the tabernacle 25. And the LORD came down in a cloud and spake unto him and took of the spirit that was upon him and gave it unto the seventy elders and it came to pass that when the spirit rested upon them they prophesied and did not cease 26. But there remained two of the men in the camp the name of the one was Eldad and the name of the other Medad and the spirit rested upon them and they were of them that were written but went not out unto the tabernacle and they prophesied in the camp 27. And there ran a young man and told Moses and said Eldad and Medad do prophesie in the camp 28. And Joshua the son of Nun the servant of Moses one of his young men answered and said My lord Moses forbid them 29. And Moses said unto him Enviest thou for my sake would God that all the LORD's people were prophets and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them 30. And Moses got him into the camp he and the elders of Israel 31. And there went forth a wind from the LORD and brought quails from the sea and let them fall by the camp as it were a days journey on this side and as it were a days journey on the other side round about the camp and as it were two cubits high upon the face of the earth 32. And the people stood up all that day and all that night and all the next day and they gathered the quails he that gathered least gathered ten homers and they spread them all abroad for themselves round about the camp 33. And while the flesh was yet between their teeth ere it was chewed the wrath of the LORD was kindled against the people and the LORD smote the people with a very great plague 34. And he called the name of that place Kibroth-hattaavah because there they buried the people that lusted 35. And the people journeyed from Kibroth-hattaavah unto Hazeroth and abode at Hazeroth 1. COmplained Heb. Were as it were complainers They began to mutter and were discontent and uneasie upon their three days march ch 10.38 but did not openly mutiny and complain as they did afterwards It displeased the LORD Heb. It was evil in the ears of the LORD The LORD heard it It is not said that Moses heard it as it is v. 10. when they openly complained Fire of the LORD i. e. A Fire which the Lord sent among them Burnt Psal 78.21 2. Was quenched Heb. Sunk 3. Taberah That is Burning 4. Mixt multitude As Exod. 12.38 Fell a lusting Heb. Lusted a lust Wept again Heb. Returned and wept Who shall give 1 Cor. 10.6 This was a Sin distinct from that mentioned v. 1. and a greater and more severely punished compare v. 1. with v. 33. and much aggravated upon the following accounts I. Their Discontent v. 1. was improved into an open complaint v. 4 5 6. II. They declared their Distrust of God's Power and Providence of which they had had great experience v. 4. and v. 18. with Psal 78.22 III. They unthankfully despised God and his former Mercies v. 6 7 20. IV. They covetously desire Flesh when they had much Cattel of their own Exod. 12.32 38. with Numb 32.4 V. And this they did after God had plentifully provided for their natural necessities Exod. 16.2 5. Freely Without price or for a very mean price The over-flowing of Nile may well be supposed to afford great plenty and besides that some of the Egyptians at least by their Religion could not lawfully taste them Herodot Book II. nor yet the Onions c. which follow 6. Dried away Like the Earth that is parched and rendered barren for want of moisture 7. The Manna Exod. 16.14 31. The following words give us an account that the Manna ought not to have been contemned as here it is For 1. It was pleasant to the sight 2. Of a delightfull taste 3. Fit to be dressed and prepared several ways or with great variety 4. It was fresh every morning 5. And easily obtained Colour thereof as the colour of Heb. The eye of it as the eye of Bdellium Chrystal say the Greek See Exod. 16.31 8. Fresh oyl It had the taste at once of Oyl and Honey two of the choicest provisions of nature Exod. 16.31 12. As a nursing-father That is as one who though he want not Compassion yet cannot quiet a sucking Child as a nursing Mother by her Breast 15. Let me not see my wretchedness i. e. Let me not suffer To see death is to die Luk. 2.26 Psal 89.48 To see Salvation is to be saved Psal 91.16.50.23 And to see Labour and Sorrow is to suffer or to be miserable Jer. 20.18 16. Elders Men at least grave for Wisedom and of Place and Authority who are called Officers Such there were in Egypt Exod. 5.14 And were to be in the Land of Promise Deut. 16.18 And by the advice of Jethro Rulers had been chosen to judge in Civil and smaller Matters Exod. 18.22 26. and of least difficulty Stand there viz. That they may thereby be
the better known to the People compare v. 26 27 28. and there receive the Spirit of Prophecy v. 25. 17. Come down Or Reveal my self as the Chaldee hath it Take of the spirit c. i. e. Impart of the same Gifts to them which were bestowed upon Moses Which does not imply any diminution to Moses and is to be understood according to the subject-matter in a Spiritual sense 18. Sanctifie your selves Or Prepare your selves and be in readiness against to morrow when you may expect Flesh 20. Whole month Heb. Month of days 22. Fish Who have a sort of Flesh 1 Cor. 15.39 23. Is the LORD's hand waxed short Or does the Lord want power Isa 50.2 and 59.1 25. They prophesied and did not cease i. e. They did hereupon for some time prophesie without intermission in token of the power which God had endued them with 1 Sam. 10.10 It does by no means hence follow that this continued with them or that they were Prophets for the future Their Prophesying whether it were predicting Futuâ—ities or eâ—plaining God's Will was in such a manner as might bâ— discerned by some visible and extraordinary Effect v. 27. and 1 Sam. 19.23 24. 26. Went not Perhaps because not in the way when the Command was given or out of modesty declining what they thought themselves unfit for or under some legal defilement which might hinder their approach to the Tabernacle or under some other restraint or impediment vid. 1 Sam. 20.26 Jer. 36.5 28. Forbid them He not having seen them about the Tabernacle verse 16. might question their authority 31. A wind Exod 16.13 Ps 78.26 As it were a days journey Heb. As it were the way of a day 32. Ten Homers That is ten Ephahs Ezek. 45.11 33. Flesh Psal 78.30 31. 34. Kibroth-hattaavah That is the graves of lust 35. Abode at Heb. They were in c. CHAP. XII The ARGUMENT Miriam and Aaron speak against Moses God's displeasure at it Miriam is stricken with a Leprosie She is shut out of the Camp seven days The People remâ—â—â— from Hazeroth 1. AND Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married for he had married an Ethiopian woman 2. And they said Hath the LORD indeed spoken onely by Moses hath he not spoken also by us and the LORD heard it 3. Now the man Moses was very meek above all the men which were upon the face of the earth 4. And the LORD spake suddenly unto Moses and unto Aaron and unto Miriam Come out ye three unto the tabernacle of the congregation And they three came out 5. And the LORD came down in the pillar of the cloud and stood in the door of the tabernacle and called Aaron and Miriam and they both came forth 6. And he said Hear now my words If there be a prophet among you I the LORD will make my self known unto him in a vision and will speak unto him in a dream 7. My servant Moses is not so who is faithfull in all mine house 8. With him will I speak mouth to mouth even apparently and not in dark speeches and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses 9. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them and he departed 10. And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle and behold Miriam became leprous white as snow and Aaron looked upon Miriam and behold she was leprous 11. And Aaron said unto Moses Alas my lord I beseech thee lay not the sin upon us wherein we have done foolishly and wherein we have sinned 12. Let her not be as one dead of whom the flesh is half consumed when he cometh out of his mother's womb 13. And Moses cryed unto the LORD saying Heal her now O God I beseech thee 14. And the LORD said unto Moses If her father had but spit in her face should she not be ashamed seven days let her be shut out from the camp seven days and after that let her be received in again 15. And Miriam was shut out from the camp seven days and the people journeyed not till Miriam was brought in again 16. And afterward the people removed from Hazeroth and pitched in the wilderness of Paran 1. MIriam A Prophetess the Sister of Moses and Aaron Exod. 15.20 She was principal in the fault as may be collected from this Verse as it lies in the Hebrew Text and from v. 10. compare 1 Tim. 2.13 14. And thus the Sin of Lust began with the meaner and more feeble of the People or mixt Multitude ch 11.4 Ethiopian Or Cushite i. e. Zipporah Exod. 2.21 Who was of the Land of Midian which was in the Arabian Cush See Habâ—k 3.7 compare Ezek. 30.9 2 King 19.9 2 Chron. 14.9 with ch 21.16 Isa 18.1 and Zeph. 3.10 Married Heb. Taken i. e. Taken to Wife That he had married a Stranger and not one of the Stock of Israel was perhaps the occasion of the Complaint though the Jewish Writers affirm it to be upon the account of his separating from her that he might with the greater freedom attend upon his holy Function 2. Also by us See Exod. 4.14 15 16. ch 15.20 and Mic. 6.4 Heard it i. e. Took notice of it so as 〈◊〉 punish it Though Moses such was his Meekness did not regard it 3. Very meek Ecclus 45.4 6. In a vision That is an Enigmatical Representation of something thereby signified Such was that of the Wheels and dry â—oâ—es in Ezekiel Of the Ram in Daniel c. Hence a Prophecy is called a Vision Isa 1 1. In a dream Which was generally in the Night and always when the Senses were suspended And here the Representation was frequently obscure and not easily understood Such was that of Jacob's Ladder Pharaoh's Kine c. 7. Not so i. e. He is a Prophet favoured with clearer Revelations Who is faithfull Heb. 3.2 8. Mouth to mouth c. Exod. 33.11 i. e. As one Friend speaketh to another and that clearly and not Enigmatically when one thing is represented and something else is meant as in the Instances above-named of Visions and Dreams The similitude of the LORD No Man hath seen God or can see him The meaning is That as Moses had the Will of God most plainly revealed to him so he was admitted to a greater sight of his Glory than any other See Exod. 33.22 23. 10. Leprous A fit punishment of Pride 12. As one dead The Leper was separated from the Living and defiled as the Dead 14. Shut out Vid. Lev. 23.46 with Numb 19.11 CHAP. XIII The ARGUMENT Heads of the several Tribes sent to search the Land of Canaan Their Names Moses gives them Instructions Their Progress therein and their Relation upon their return 1. AND the LORD spake unto Moses saying 2. Send thou men that they may search the land of Canaan which I give unto the children of Israel of every tribe of
thence they removed and pitched on the other side of Arnon which is in the wilderness that cometh out of the coasts of the Amorites for Arnon is the border of Moab between Moab and the Amorites 14. Wherefore it is said in the book of the wars of the LORD What he did in the Red-sea and in the brooks of Arnon 15. And at the stream of the brooks that goeth down to the dwelling of Ar and lieth upon the border of Moab 16. And from thence they went to Beer that is the well whereof the LORD spake unto Moses Gather the people together and I will give them water 17. Then Israel sang this song Spring up O well sing ye unto it 18. The princes digged the well the nobles of the people digged it by the direction of the law-giver with their staves And from the wilderness they went to Mattanah 19. And from Mattanah to Naâ—â—liel and from Nahaliel to Bamoth 20. And from Bamoth in the valley that is in the country of Moab to the top of Pisgah which looketh toward Jeshimon 21. And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites saying 22. Let me pass through thy land we will not turn into the fields or into the vineyards we will not drink of the water of the well but we will go along by the king's high-way untill we be past thy borders 23. And Sihon would not suffer Israel to pass through his border but Sihon gathered all his people together and went out against Israel into the wilderness and he came to Jahaz and fought against Israel 24. And Israel smote him with the edge of the sword and possessed his land from Arnon unto Jabbock even unto the children of Ammon for the border of the children of Ammon was strong 25. And Israel took all these cities and Israel dwelt in all the cities of the Amorites in Heshbon and in all the villages thereof 26. For Heshbon was the city of Sihon the king of the Amorites who had fought against the former king of Moab and taken all his land out of his hand even unto Arnon 27. Wherefore they that speak in proverbs say Come into Heshbon let the city of Sihon be built and prepared 28. For there is a fire gone out of Heshbon a flame from the city of Sihon it hath consumed Ar of Moab and the lords of the high places of Arnon 29. Wo to thee Moab thou art undone O people of Chemosh he hath given his sons that escaped and his daughters into captivity unto Sihon king of the Amorites 30. We have shot at them Heshbon is perished even unto Dibon and we have laid them waste even unto Nophah which reacheth unto Medeba 31. Thus Israel dwelt in the land of the Amorites 32. And Moses sent to spy out Jaazer and they took the villages thereof and drove out the Amorites that were there 33. And they turned and went up by the way of Bashan and Og the king of Bashan went out against them he and all his people to the battel at Edrei 34. And the LORD said unto Moses Fear him not for I have delivered him into thy hand and all his people and his land and thou shalt do to him as thou didst unto Sihon king of the Amorites which dwelt at Heshbon 35. So they smote him and his sons and all his people untill there was none left him alive and they possessed his land 2552. 1452. 1. KIng Arad Ch. 33.40 By the way of the spies There is no reason why these words should be understood of the way which those Spies went which went 38 years before this to search out the Land ch 13. They may very well be understood of the way which those Spies went which we suppose King Arad to have sent to bring him an account of the motion of the Israelites tho' the Greek understand it of a proper Name 3. Hormah That is utter destruction It is to be considered that these Canaanites were destroyed in this Encounter for which cause the Name of this place where the Victory was obtained might be called Hormah at present But then their Cities which were now devoted to destruction v. 2. were not actually destroyed till after the Israelites were come into the promised Land Jud. 1.17 4. Discouraged Or Grieved Heb. Shortened Because of the way viz. Because it was far about and therefore uneasie to them 5. Our soul lotheth Chap. 11.6 6. The LORD Wisd 16.1 5. 1 Cor. 10.9 Fiery serpents These Serpents might well be called fiery both from their Colour v. 9. and from the Effect of their venomous biting which burnt those who were bitten and because they kept aloft and were probably flying Serpents Isa 14.29 8. A fiery serpent i. e. A Serpent of a fiery Colour as appears from verse 9. where 't is expressly said that Moses made a Serpent of Brass Ezek. 1.7 Set it upon a pole That it may be conspicuous it was to be raised up on high The word we render Pole signifies a Sign and several of the Ancients render the words to such a sense as imports that this was to be set up as a sign And indeed it was a very eximious Type of Christ and particularly of his Death upon the Cross by whom we are redeemed from the Sting of Death and the Power of the Devil that old Serpent Joh. 3.14 whom God sent in the likeness of sinfull flesh and did by this way condemn sin in the flesh Rom. 8.3 9. And c. 2 King 18.4 Joh. 3.14 When he beheld the serpent of brass he lived The recovery was from God and the way very unlikely Neither the Matter or Figure of this Serpent could contribute towards healing the bitten But this was a Type of Christ who condemned sin in the flesh by the likeness of sinfull flesh We are healed by his stripes and receive the hopes of life by his death And therefore this brazen Serpent is truly called a Sign of Salvation Wisd 16.6 7. 10. And pitched in Oboth Ch. 33.43 11. Fje-abarim Or Heaps of Abarim 12. From thence What follows to v. 21. seems not to be an account of the several Stations of the Israelites of which we have an account ch 33. but of some places which they touched or bordered upon in their March and before they sent their Messengers to Sihon King of the Amorites 13. Between Moab and the Amorites Arnon as well as Heshbon was once in the possession of the Moabites but had before this been taken from a former King of Moab by Sihon possibly a former not the present King of the Amorites v. 26 28. Judg. 11.18 22. And it being now in the possession of the Amorites might lawfully be possessed by the Israelites who were Commanded not to distress the Moabites Deut. 2.9 but required at the same time to invade the Land of Sihon the Amorite King of Heshbon Deut. 2.24 14. Wherefore it is said in the book These words seem to be added here
hath he said and shall he not do it or hath he spoken and shall he not make it good 20. Behold I have received commandment to bless and he hath blessed and I cannot reverse it 21. He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel the LORD his God is with him and the shout of a king is among them 22. God brought them out of Egypt he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn 23. Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob neither is there any divination against Israel according to his time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel What hath God wrought 24. Behold the people shall rise up as a great lion and lift up himself as a young lion he shall not lie down until he eat of the prey and drink the blood of the slain 25. And Balak said unto Balaam Neither curse them at all nor bless them at all 26. But Balaam answered and said unto Balak Told not I thee saying All that the LORD speaketh that I must do 27. And Balak said unto Balam Come I pray thee I will bring thee unto another place peradventure it will please God that thou mayest curse me them from thence 28. And Balak brought Balaam unto the top of Peor that looketh toward Jeshimon 29. And Balaam said unto Balak Build me here seven altars and prepare me here seven bullocks and seven rams 30. And Balak did as Balaam had said and offered a bullock and a ram on every altar 1. BVild me here seven Altars Balaam appointed this for the Worship of the true God as appears from v. 4. But herein was blameable that he would have Altars erected in the high places of Baal where now he was ch 22.41 Such were they who feared the Lord and yet had their Sacrifices in the houses of the high places They are said to fear the Lord and serve their own Gods 2 King 17.32 33. Besides this though his number of Sacrifices were not reproveable see Job 42.8 1 Chron. 15.26 2 Chron. 29.21 yet the multiplying of Altars hath a bad name in the Scriptures Hos 8.11 3. Stand by c. Attending upon the Service and expecting success He went to an high place Or he went solitary The Marginal reading is confirmed by the Chaldee and is preferible to the other For Balaam was in an high place before ch 22.41 and Solitude now best complied with the End of his going which was to meet with a Divine Revelation 6. He stood by See verse 3. 7. Parable The word signifies not onely a Similitude or figurative Speech but a weighty Sentence and such as deserves great esteem and regard and so it doth in this place East A place noted for Southsayers Isa 2.6 9. I see him Or I have seen him Balaam had been taken by Balak into the high places that he might thence see and Curse the Israelites which Course proved ineffectual Shall dwell alone i. e. They shall not sojourn in a strange Country as they have done in Egypt but be possessed of a Land of their own And shall not be reckoned among the nations They shall be a peculiar and separate People from the rest of the Nations both in their Religion and Laws and also shall be under a more special Care and Providence of God Exod. 19.5 Levit. 20.24 26. Psal 148.19 20. 2 Sam. 7.23 Psal 76.1 2 3. Ezra 9.2 Esth 3.8 Deut. 11.12 10. The dust The seed say the Greek very agreeably to the sense of the word here God promised Abraham to make his Seed as the Dust of the Earth and not to be numbred like that Gen. 13.16 and this Promise was repeated to Jacob Gen. 28.14 Fourth part i. e. One Camp or Squadron which consisted but of three Tribes and was with that respect the fourth part For thus they were divided by God's Command Numb 2. And perhaps more than this did not fall within his view See chap. 22.41 Me Heb. My soul or My life Death of the righteous i. e. Such a death as those die who are in Covenant with God and obey his Precepts 13. Shalt not see them all Lest he should be dismayed at the sight of so great a number 14. Pisgah Or The hill See Deut. 3.27 and 34.1 16. Put a word Ch. 22.35 19. God is not a man that he should lye c. That is God will make good his Promises and particularly that of bringing this People into the promised Land he not being like a Man who for want of Veracity or Power performs not his Promise 21. He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel That is Whereas it might be hoped by the Enemies of the Israelites that through their default they had forfeited all right to God's Promises he adds He hath not beheld c. It is weakly inferred from these words that God sees no sin in his own People and it is in it self a great untruth That he hath not knowledge of their sins no Man can affirm nor ought any man to say that he approves or will not punish them For I. God hath declared otherwise He said unto Moses I have seen this people and behold it is a stiff-necked people Exod. 32.9 with Deut. 9.13 14. And by the Prophet he said unto the whole Family of Israel whom he brought out of Egypt You onely have I known of all the families of the earth therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities Amos 3.2 II. This cannot be the sense of these words for then Balaam would in vain have given Counsel to draw the Israelites into sin that they might be destroyed of which see an account chap. 24.14 The true sense of these words is next to be inquired after and it is this That God would not give up the Israelites to destruction for their sins which were not like the sins of the neighbouring Countries which were now ready to be destroyed for them He hath not beheld may be rendred in the Present Tense He doth not behold and Neither hath he seen Neither doth he see The word which we render Iniquity is observed to signifie an Idol in other places See 1 Sam. 15.23 Isa 66.3 And the Ancients understood it of Idolatry as is evident from the Vulgar Latin and Onkelos and our Church understands this place in the same sense as may be seen in the Book of Homilies The LORD is God c. i. e. Instead of any Image or Idol which was not now among them God is with them as their King giving them Victory and matter of Triumph See 2 Chron. 13.12 with Numb 10.9 compared with Josh 6.16 1 Sam. 4.5 22. God c. Ch. 24.8 When Philo the Jew cites this passage where 't is said God brought them out of Egypt he does it to this sense That God did put an end to the many Calamities in Egypt and bring their great numbers thence as One Man De vit Mosis
l. 1. And thus are the People of Israel considered God commands Moses to say unto Pharaoh Israel is my son even my first-born and I say unto thee Let my son go Exod. 4.22 23. Again and called my son out of Egypt Hos 11.1 And agreeably hereunto is this passage cited by St. Matth. c. 2.15 and applied to the return of Jesus out of Egypt He hath i. e. Israel who hath God for his help An unicorn It is matter of great question what Creature the Hebrew word denotes and not fit to be debated here It is enough that it denotes one of eminent Power and known so to be in those Eastern Countries and early days of the World 23. No enchantment against Or in Jacob These senses are both true and very consistent with each other Enchantment and Divination was neither at this time practised in Israel nor could they prevail against them The first Sense is favoured by the Ancients the Second confirmed by the Context They despised these things putting their trust in the One Governour of the World De vit Mosis l. 1. These things were too weak to prevail against the Strength of Israel whatever feats they might do upon other People According to this time c. That is The time is now at hand when God shall do great things for Israel bringing them by his mighty Power into the promised Land 24. Behold c. These following words give an account of their vanquishing their Enemies 28. Peor An Hill whence Beth-Peor had its name Deut. 34.6 Jeshimon i. e. The Desart or Wilderness CHAP. XXIV The ARGUMENT Balaam leaves off Enchantments and foretells the Prosperity of the Israelites Balak is thereupon angry with him Balaam's Prophecy of the Star and sundry other matters 1. AND when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel he went not as at other times to seek for inchantments but he set his face toward the wilderness 2. And Balaam lift up his eyes and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes and the spirit of God came upon him 3. And he took up his parable and said Balaam the son of Beor hath said and the man whose eyes are open hath said 4. He hath said which heard the words of God which saw the vision of the Almighty falling into a trance but having his eyes open 5. How goodly are thy tents O Jacob and thy tabernacles O Israel 6. As the valleys are they spread forth as gardens by the river's side as the trees of lign-aloes which the LORD hath planted and as cedar-trees beside the waters 7. He shall pour the water out of his buckets and his seed shall be in many waters and his king shall be higher then Agag and his kingdom shall be exalted 8. God brought him forth out of Egypt he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn he shall eat up the nations his enemies and shall break their bones and pierce them through with his arrows 9. He couched he lay down as a lion and as a great lion who shall stir him up Blessed is he that blesseth thee and cursed is he that curseth thee 10. And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam and he smote his hands together and Balak said unto Balaam I called thee to curse mine enemies and behold thou hast altogether blessed them these three times 11. Therefore now flee thou to thy place I thought to promote thee unto great honour but lo the LORD hath kept thee back from honour 12. And Balaam said unto Balak Spake I not also to thy messengers which thou sentest unto me saying 13. If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD to do either good or bad of mine own mind but what the LORD saith that will I speak 14. And now behold I go unto my people come therefore and I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days 15. And he took up his parable and said Balaam the son of Beor hath said and the man whose eyes are open hath said 16. He hath said which heard the words of God and knew the knowledge of the most High which saw the vision of the Almighty falling into a trance but having his eyes open 17. I shall see him but not now I shall behold him but not nigh there shall come a Star out of Jacob and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel and shall smite the corners of Moab and destroy all the children of Seth. 18. And Edom shall be a possession Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies and Israel shall do valiantly 19. Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city 20. And when he looked on Amalek he took up his parable and said Amalek was the first of the nations but his latter end shall be that he perish for ever 21. And he looked on the Kenites and took up his parable and said Strong is thy dwelling place and thou puttest thy nest in a rock 22. Nevertheless the Kenite shall be wasted until Asshur shall carry thee away captive 23. And he took up his parable and said Alas who shall live when God doeth this 24. And ships shall come from the coast of Chittim and shall afflict Asshur and shall afflict Eber and he also shall perish for ever 25. And Balaam rose up and went and returned to his place and Balak also went his way 1. AS at other times Chap. 23.5 15. To seek for enchantments Heb. To the meeting of enchantments For tho' he offered Sacrifice to the true God yet he had also used Superstitious and Magical Rites which he had hitherto found ineffectual and therefore now he leaves them off as an unprofitable course See the Note on ch 23.1 Toward the wilderness That is Toward the place where Israel encamped as appears from v. 2. 2. The spirit of God came upon him The Divine Spirit the Spirit of Truth came upon him and directed him to foretell of the Messias c. So that the truth of what he foretells may be relyed upon 3. And he took up c. Ch. 23.7 18. Whose eyes are open Heb. Who had his eyes shut but now open That is Who is now enlightened though he were once stupid and blind See v. 1. and ch 22.34 4. Falling into a trance So those who prophesied were wont to do 1 Sam. 19.24 Ezek. 1.28 6. As the valleys c. The tents of Jacob he compares to things very goodly Such are the far extended Valleys Gardens well watered Trees bearing Spices of sweet smell lofty and tall Cedars planted by the Waters 7. He shall pour the water out of his buckets and his seed shall be in many waters These words are a Prophecy of the great encrease of Israel whose Posterity should be very numerous and powerfull This encrease of Posterity is in the
Scripture represented by the flowing out of Waters Isa 48.1 Prov. 5.15 16 17 18. And many waters in the Scripture phrase are put for many people Rev. 17.15 Psal 144.7 Jer. 47.2 His king shall be higher then Agag The Amalekites were at this time a powerfull and daring People See v. 20. with Exod. 17.20 Agag was the common Name as hath been with great probability thought of the Kings of that People As Pharaoh and in after-times Ptolomy was of the Egyptian Kings and then these words foretell the great Power of the Israelites which should exceed that of their most potent Neighbours And with respect to the Amalekites also as the Israelites had in some measure overcome them Exod. 17. so they did it afterwards in the days of Saul 1 Sam. 15. and in the days of Mordecai Esther 3.1 with ch 7.10 8. God c. chap. 23.22 9. He couched Gen. 49.9 10. He smote his hands together In token of great Anger and Displeasure Ezek 21.17 and 22.13 14. Come therefore and I will advertise thee c. Or Come I will counsel thee The Chaldee so renders this Verse as that it does both express Balaam's Counsel as well as his Prediction of what should come to pass in after-times And though his Evil Counsel be not particularly set down here yet both Philo the Jew and Josephus tell us it thus viz. That Balaam upon his departure told Balak that the onely way to prevail upon this people would be to draw them into sin and to that purpose he counselled him to tempt them with their beautifull Women These were first to entice the Israelites with their Beauty and compliant Conversations and when they had entangled their Affections they were to consent to their Embraces upon condition that the Israelites would forsake their own Law and worship the God of the Moabites That this came to pass is evident from chap. 25.1 2 3. And that Balaam was the Author of this Advice is moreover confirmed from ch 31.16 where Moses speaking of the Women of Midian saith These caused the children of Israel through the counsel of Balaam to commit trespass against the Lord in the matter of Peor and there was a plague among the congregation of the Lord. Balaam is also said to have taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before the Children of Israel to eat things sacrificed to Idols and to commit Fornication Rev. 2.14 In the latter days That is In time to come 17. I shall see him but not now c. Or I do see though at a great distance what I am now foretelling A Star out of Jacob A Star a King says the Chaldee And considering what follows Shall smite the corners of Moab it may very well referr to King David 2 Sam. 8.2 Psal 60.8 and the other Kings who subdued Moab 2 King 3.4 But then the Prophecy looks farther even to the Messias an eminent Type of whom David was Jer. 30.9 Ezek. 34.23 And well may he be called a Star here who is elsewhere called The Sun of righteousness Mal. 4.2 and the bright and morning Star Rev. 22.16 And the true light Joh. 1.9 and whose Birth was attended with a Star Matt. 2. And we find that the Jewish Writers acknowledge that Balaam does here foretell of the Messias A Scepter The Chaldee renders it Messias And a Rod or Scepter being the Ensign of a Ruler is put for the Person The Messias is elsewhere called a Ruler Isa 16.1 and chap. 22.23 compared with the Greek a Governour Jer. 30.21 Smite the corners of Moab Or Smite through the princes of Moab How this was verified in David may be learned from 2 Sam. 8.2 But the Messias wrought a greater Conquest than David his Dominion was to be from Sea to Sea and from the River unto the ends of the Earth Ps 72.8 9 10. Ps 2.8 9. He vanquished the Superstition and Idolatry that had overspread the World he did smite the earth with the rod of his mouth and slay the wicked with the breath of his lips Isa 11.4 Now as his Person was typified by David so the advancement of his Kingdom is represented here by his Conquests also over Moab and Edom c. It is said of David that he put Garrisons in Edom and all the Edomites became David's servants 1 Chron. 18.13 and upon this account David himself said Moab is my washpot over Edom will I cast out my shooe Ps 60.8 Compare Isa 63.1 2. All the children of Seth By the Jews this is understood of all Mankind which are called the children of Seth because derived from him Nizachon pag. 70. Abel was killed and we read of no Children he had The Children of Cain perished in the Flood those that escaped and from whom all Men proceeded were the Posterity of Seth and certain it is that the Messias was to have Dominion over the World However it is very probable that this is not the meaning of the place here and that by the Children of Seth is meant some particular People either part of Moab or Ammon or some other neighbouring Country then well known 18. And Edom shall c. See the Note on v. 17. to which add Amos 9.12 and Obadiah v. 18. 19. He that shall have dominion That is David and other powerfull Kings but especially the Messias Of the city particularly of the Edomites 1 King 11.15 And the Messias shall overcome the strongest Enemies of his Church 20. The first of the nations i. e. The first of the nations that warred against Israel Exod. 17. This sense the Chaldee gives of the place And the Victory the Israelites gained over Amalek was not onely a pledge of succeeding Victories over other Enemies but over Amalek also See Exod 17.16 Shall be that he perish for ever Or Shall be even to destruction This was in great measure fulfilled 1 Sam. 30.17 and farther afterward 2 Sam. 8.12 21. Kenites A People of whom was Jethro and who were mingled with the People of Midian and Amalek and that too in very secure places which rendered them secure as if they had been seated in a Rock Exod. 3.1 Judg. 1.16 1 Sam. 15.6 22. Nevertheless the Kenite Heb. Kein shall be wasted They shall from time to time suffer among the People with whom they were joined viz. That of Midian and Amalek c. Vntil Asshur shall carry thee away captive Or How long shall it be ere Asshur carry thee away captive The Kenites who lived in the Land of Israel Judg. 4.11 were involved in the Captivity by the King of Assyria as well as they in the two Tribes in that by the King of Babylon which is also called the King of Assyria Ezr. 6.22 See 1 Chron. 2.55 23. Alas who shall live These words imply that great will be the Calamity of the Times last predicted of 24. Ships shall come from the coast of Chittim Chittim was the Son of Javan who was one of the Sons of Japhet Gen. 10.4 From him
came a People who inhabited Greece or the Isles of the Gentiles Gen. 10.5 and thence a Colony transplanted into Italy Hence Chittim sometimes denotes Greece 1 Maccab. 1.1 and ch 8.5 Sometimes Italy Dan. 11.30 and so the Vulgar renders the word here And in this place it may well denote both Greece and Italy Shall afflict Asshur i. e. Shall afflict the Eastern Empire which was verified by Alexander of Macedonia and by the Romans afterward who subdued Greece and the People whom the Greeks had subdued Afflict Eber i. e. The Hebrews who were afflicted by Antiochuâ— and destroyed by Titus and Vespasian He also shall perish i. e. Chittim The Greeks are perished long since and the Roman Empire in great measure also CHAP. XXV The ARGUMENT The Israelites sin at Shittim they are joined to Baal-Peor The Lord is angry with them Zimri and Cozbi are slain by Phinehas and his Zeal was pleasing to God The Midianites are to be punished 1. AND Israel abode in Shittim and the people begun to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab 2. And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods and and the people did eat and bowed down to their gods 3. And Israel joined himself unto Baal-peor and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel 4. And the LORD said unto Moses Take all the heads of the people and hang them up before the LORD against the sun that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away from Israel 5. And Moses said unto the judges of Israel Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baal-peor 6. And behold one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation 7. And when Phinehas the son of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest saw it he rose up from amongst the congregation and took a javelin in his hand 8. And he went after the man of Israel into the tent and thrust both of them through the man of Israel and the woman through her belly So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel 9. And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand 10. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 11. Phinehas the son of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel while he was zealous for my sake among them that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousie 12. Wherefore say Behold I give unto him my covenant of peace 13. And he shall have it and his seed after him even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood because he was zealous for his God and made an atonement for the children of Israel 14. Now the name of the Israelite that was slain even that was slain with the Midianitish-woman was Zimri the son of Salu a prince of a chief house among the Simeonites 15. And the name of the Midianitish woman that was slain was Cozbi the daughter of Zur he was head over a people and of a chief house in Midian 16. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 17. Vex the Midianites and smite them 18. For they vex you with their wiles wherewith they have beguiled you in the matter of Peor and in the matter of Cozbi the daughter of a prince of Midian their sister which was slain in the day of the plague for Peor's sake 1. SHittim Chap. 33.49 This is called Abel-Shittim and was in the Plains of Moab With the daughters of Moab And with those of Midian also as appears from v. 6 17 18. chap. 31.16 Both these People were conf jederate against Israel chap. 22.7 2. The people did eat That is They did eat of their Sacrifices as the Greek have it and by eating of the remaining parts of the Sacrifice were guilty of Idolatry 1 Cor. 10.20 21. And this sense of the words is confirmed from the words of the Psalmist They joined themselves unto Baal-peor and ate the sacrifices of the dead Ps 106.28 What they did was expressly against their Law Exod. 34.15 and was the contrivance of Balaam who was the Contriver of this Mischief to Israel to eat things sacrificed to Idols Rev. 2.14 3. Baal-peor Baal signifies a Lord or Master and is a more common name of an Idol or false God Peor was an Hill where this Idol was worshipped chap. 23.28 4. Take all the heads of the people Deut. 4.3 Josh 22.17 By the heads of the people here is meant the Judges of Israel as they are called v. 6. viz. The principal Officers among them By their assistance the People who had sinned were to be punished as appears from v. 6. Hang them up i. e. The People who had sinned and not all the Heads of the People for they were concerned in the execution of the Sentence v. 6. See Selden de Synedriis l. 2. c. 1. Against the sun i. e. Publickly and openly It was also provided that those who were hanged should be taken down the same day Deut. 21.22 23. 6. In the sight c. Great was the sin of this Man who durst transgress openly before Moses and the People and at such a time when they were mourning for the Calamity which threatned them and as is probable even after the Plague was begun and at least some of the Offenders had been exemplary in their punishment v. 8. 7. When Phinehas c. Psal 106.30 1 Maccab. 2.54 What Phinehas did will by no means be a warrant to private persons to put the greatest Malefactors to death For besides that Phinehas was one of considerable Authority v. 7. and who wanted not Commission v. 5. It is certain God approved of the action v. 11. and it may well be concluded that as he did it not without the consent of Moses so he did it by the direction of God himself 9. Those that died c. 1 Cor. 10.8 The seeming difference between these words and those of St. Paul is easily reconciled For allowing one thousand to be slain by the Judges v. 5. St. Paul gives a just account of the number of them who died of the Pestilence What we render Plague here does not signifie Pestilence onely but any other sudden stroke and may therefore comprehend the Destruction that befell them from the Judges as well as that which God immediately inflicted 11. Phinehas Ps 106.30 12. Behold I give unto him c. Ecclus 45.24 1 Mac. 2.54 The covenant of peace is expressed v. 13. by an everlasting Priesthood The Office of a Priest was that of a Mediator between God and Man and the End of the Sacrifices and Incense the Type of Prayers was to procure God's Favour Numb 16.47 48. 13. His seed after him c. This was made good we find his Posterity recorded to the Captivity 1 Chron. 6. from v.
LORD 6. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 7. The daughters of Zelophehad speak right thou shalt surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father's brethren and thou shalt cause the inheritance of their father to pass unto them 8. And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel saying If a man die and have no son then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his daughter 9. And if he have no daughter then ye shall give his inheritance unto his brethren 10. And if he have no brethren then ye shall give his inheritance unto his father's brethren 11. And if his father have no brethren then ye shall give his inheritance unto his kinsman that is next to him of his family and he shall possess it and it shall be unto the children of Israel a statute of judgment as the LORD commanded Moses 12. And the LORD said unto Moses Get thee up into this mount Abarim and see the land which I have given unto the children of Israel 13. And when thou hast seen it thou also shalt be gathered unto thy people as Aaron thy brother was gathered 14. For ye rebelled against my commandment in the desart of Zin in the strife of the congregation to sanctifie me at the water before their eyes that is the water of Meribah in Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin 15. And Moses spake unto the LORD saying 16. Let the LORD the God of the spirits of all flesh set a man over the congregation 17. Which may go out before them and which may go in before them and which may lead them out and which may bring them in that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd 18. And the LORD said unto Moses Take thee Joshua the son of Nâ—â— a man in whom is the spirit and lay thine hand upon him 19. And set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation and give him a charge in their sight 20. And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient 21. And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD at his word shall they go out and at his word they shall come in both he and all the children of Israel with him even all the congregation 22. And Moses did as the LORD commanded him and he took Joshua and set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation 23. And he laid his hands upon him and gave him a charge as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses 1. ZElophehad Ch. 26.13 Josh 17.3 3. Died Chap. 14.35 and 26.64 65. Korah Chap. 16. In his own sin i. e. Not as a Ring-leader of any Rebellion or Sedition or as a more notorious Sinner than other Men but as a common and ordinary Sinner to whom yet Death is due 4. Done away Heb. Diminished Their Father being no notorious Sinner his Children might well plead for an Inheritance which these Women had a fair occasion to do in their Father's right at this time because the Summ of the People was just now taken in order to the dividing the Land among them chap. 26.53 5. Brought their cause before the LORD That is He enquired of God in this matter and to that purpose it is probable he went into the Tabernacle See chap. 7.89 and Exod. 25.22 9. Vnto his brethren That is Upon supposition that his Father be dead For if his Father be alive the Inheritance as the Jews say with great probability returns to him and comes not to his Brethren first excepting onely where the Widow of the deceased is married to a surviving Brother as may be collected from v. 10 11. The Father is supposed to be dead v. 10. it being very improbable otherwise that his Brethren should rather inherit than he especially when it is provided that the Inheritance should pass to him that is next of the Family of him who is deceased v. 11. And that the Brethren's claim is from the Father as they were his Children rather than as the Brethren of the deceased vid. Selden de Success cap. XI 12. Get thee up Deut. 32.49 Into this mount Abarim There were a Tract of Mountains so called in the Plains of Moab ch 33.47 This Mountain was called Nebo Deut. 32.49 And they are called Abarim it is like because they were near the passage which was over Jordan as the Hebrew word intimates 13. Aaron Chap. 20.24 14. Rebelled Ch. 20.24 See the Notes on ch 20.12 Water Exod. 17.7 17. Which may go out before them and which may go in before them i. e. Which may rule and govern them in War and Peace and lead them as a Shepherd doth his Flock Deut. 28.6 When Moses expressed his unfitness for Government he says I can no more go out and come in Deut. 31.2 See Psal 121.8 18. Spirit i. e. The Spirit of God enabling him for his great Office He was in this a Type of Jesus Christ Joh. 3.34 with Isa 11.2 Lay thine hand upon him i. e. By that Rite set him a-part to his Office See Numb 8.10 This laying on of Hands see v. 23. was followed with encrease of Gifts from God And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of Wisdom for Moses had laid his hands upon him Deut. 34.9 20. And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him i. e. Thou shalt not treat him barely as a Servant but admit him forthwith as a Partner in the Government as becomes him who is the Elect Judge or Ruler of his People 21. Ask counsel viz. In weighty and important Matters After the judgment of Vrim Exod. 28.30 CHAP. XXVIII The ARGUMENT Of the daily or continual Burnt-offering Of the additional Sacrifice on the Sabbath-day Of that of the New Moons Of that of the Passeover and Feast of Vnleavened Bread Of that of the Feast of Weeks 1. AND the LORD spake unto Moses saying 2. Command the children of Israel and say unto them My offering and my bread for my sacrifices made by fire for a sweet savour unto me shall ye observe to offer unto me in their due season 3. And thou shalt say unto them This is the offering made by fire which ye shall offer unto the LORD two lambs of the first year without spot day by day for a continual burnt-offering 4. The one lamb shalt thou offer in the morning and the other lamb shalt thou offer at even 5. And a tenth part of an ephah of flour for a meat-offering mingled with the fourth part of an hin of beaten oyl 6. It is a continual burnt-offering which was ordained in mount Sinai for a sweet savour a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD 7. And the drink-offering thereof shall be the fourth part of an hin for the one lamb in the holy place shalt thou cause the strong
shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days 13. And ye shall offer a burnt-offering a sacrifice made by fire of a sweet savour unto the LORD thirteen young bullocks two rams and fourteen lambs of the first year they shall be without blemish 14. And their meat-offering shall be of flour mingled with oyl three tenth-deals unto every bullock of the thirteen bullocks two tenth-deals to each ram of the two rams 15. And a several tenth-deal to each lamb of the fourteen lambs 16. And one kid of the goats for a sin-offering beside the continual burnt-offering his meat-offering and his drink-offering 17. And on the second day ye shall offer twelve young bullocks two rams fourteen lambs of the first year without spot 18. And their meat-offering and their drink-offerings for the bullocks for the rams and for the lambs shall be according to their number after the manner 19. And one kid of the goats for a sin-offering beside the continual burnt-offering and the meat-offering thereof and their drink offerings 20. And on the third day eleven bullocks two rams fourteen lambs of the first year without blemish 21. And their meat-offering and their drink-offerings for the bullocks for the rams and for the lambs shall be according to their number after the manner 22. And one goat for a sin-offering beside the continual burnt-offering and his meat-offering and his drink-offering 23. And on the fourth day ten bullocks two rams and fourteen lambs of the first year without blemish 24. Their meat-offering and their drink-offerings for the bullocks for the rams and for the lambs shall be according to their number after the manner 25. And one kid of the goats for a sin-offering beside the continual burnt-offering his meat-offering and his drink-offering 26. And on the fifth day nine bullocks two rams and fourteen lambs of the first year without spot 27. And their meat-offering and their drink-offerings for the bullocks for the rams and for the lambs shall be according to their number after the manner 28. And one goat for a sin-offering beside the continual burnt-offering and his meat-offering and his drink-offering 29. And on the sixth day eight bullocks two rams and fourteen lambs of the first year without blemish 30. And their meat-offering and their drink-offerings for the bullocks for the rams and for the lambs shall be according to their number after the manner 31. And one goat for a sin-offering beside tie continual burnt-offering his meat-offering and his drink-offering 32. And on the seventh day seven bullocks two rams and fourteen lambs of the first year without blemish 33. And their meat-offering and their drink-offerings for the bullocks for the rams and for the lambs shall be according to their number after the manner 34. And one goat for a sin-offering beside the continual burnt-offering his meat-offering and his drink-offering 35. On the eighth day ye shall have a solemn assembly ye shall do â—o servile work therein 36. But ye shall offer a burnt-offering a sacrifice made by fire of a sweet savour unto the LORD one bullock one ram seven lambs of the first year without blemish 37. Their meat-offering and their drink-offerings for the bullock for the ram and for the lambs shall be according to their number after the manner 38. And one goat for a sin-offering beside the continual burnt-offering and his meat-offering and his drink-offering 39. These things ye shall do unto the LORD in your set feasts besides your vows and your free-will-offerings for your burnt-offerings and for your meat-offerings and for your drink-offerings and for your peace-offerings 40. And Moses told the children of Israel according to all that the LORD commanded Moses 1. IN the seventh month viz. From that month in which the Passeover was kept which was constituted the first month of the Ecclesiastical year Exod. 12.2 See the Note on that place It is a day Levit. 23.24 2. One young bullock c. This Offering was to be over and above the additional Offering which belonged to this day as it was the first day of a month when they were obliged to offer two Bullocks ch 28.11 with v. 6. of this Chapter The seeming difference between Levit. 23.18 and Numb 28.27 may hence be fairly reconciled For the two Bullocks one Ram and seven Lambs which were required at the Pentecost or Feast of Weeks Numb 28.27 were to be added to the seven Lambs one Bullock and two Rams which were to be offered with the Bread Levit 23.18 6. Beside See chap. 28.3 and verse 11. 7. Ye shall have Levit. 16.29 and 23.27 11. Beside the sin-offering of atonement Of which see Levit. 16.9 30. 12. A feast That is the Feast of Tabernacles Levit. 23.34 which was kept at the close of their Vintage and Harvest Deut. 16.13 This being a time of Leisure and of Plenty God thought fit to oblige the Israelites to a long attendance and a greater number of Sacrifices than he required at the other Festivals 17. Twelve Here is an abatement of one Bullock for each of the seven days out of that number which they were obliged to offer on that which went before 35. Solemn assembly Levit. 23.36 36. One bullock Though the day were solemn and the great day of the Feast Joh. 7.37 yet were the Sacrifices fewer than of the Seventh Day by six Bullocks and one Ram. And this together with the gradual declining of the Sacrifices appointed in this Feast do fairly mind us of the invalidity of Legal Sacrifices 39. Do Or Offer Beside The Offerings mentioned before were fixed and stated for every Day Week Month or Year at certain times those which follow here were more uncertain upon Emergencies or Voluntary Devotion and Inclination of them who were disposed CHAP. XXX The ARGUMENT Vows and Oaths are to be made good Of the Vow of a Virgin of a Wife and of a Widow or divorced Woman 1. AND Moses spake unto the heads of the tribes concerning the children of Israel saying This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded 2. If a man vow a vow unto the LORD or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond he shall not break his word he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth 3. If a woman also vow a vow unto the LORD and bind herself by a bond being in her father's house in her youth 4. And her father hear her vow and her bond wherewith she hath bound her soul and her father shall hold his peace at her then all her vows shall stand and every bond wherewith she hath bound her soul shall stand 5. But if her father disallow her in the day that he heareth not any of her vows or of her bonds wherewith she hath bound her soul shall stand and the LORD shall forgive her because her father disallowed her 6. And if she had at all an husband when she vowed or uttered ought out of her lips wherewith she bound
her soul 7. And her husband heard it and held his peace at her in the day that he heard it then her vows shall stand and her bonds wherewith she bound her soul shall stand 8. But if her husband disallow her on the day that he heard it then he shall make her vow which she vowed and that which she uttered with her lips wherewith she bound her soul of none effect and the LORD shall forgive her 9. But every vow of a widow and of her that is divorced wherewith they have bound their souls shall stand against her 10. And if she vowed in her husband's house or bound her soul by a bond with an oath 11. And her husband heard it and held his peace at her and disallowed her not then all her vows shall stand and every bond wherewith she hound her soul shall stand 12. But if her husband hath utterly made them void on the day he heard them then whatsoever proceeded out of her lips concerning her vows or concerning the bond of her soul shall not stand her husband hath made them void and the LORD shall forgive her 13. Every vow and every binding oath to afflict the soul her husband may establish it or her husband may make it void 14. But if her husband altogether hold his peace at her from day to day then he establisheth all her vows or all her bonds which are upon her he confirmeth them because he held his peace at her in the day that he heard them 15. But if he shall any ways make them void after that he hath heard them then he shall bear her iniquity 16. These are the statutes which the LORD commanded Moses between a man and his wife between the father and his daughter being yet in her youth in her father's house 1. UNto the heads of the tribes Who were to impart it to the rest of the People whom it concerned 2. A man This denotes both the Sex as appears from v. 3. and a competent age Vow a vow unto the LORD i. e. Make a Religious Promise unto the Lord. Swear an oath c. i. e. Confirm his Vow with an Oath by calling God to witness Break Heb. Profane He shall do c. Provided what he vows be a lawful thing Mark 6.23 3. A woman Who is in Subjection as appears from what follows And therefore the Law extends to other Subjects who are not to dispose of themselves without the consent of their just Superiors A Woman is named because she is most subject Being in her father's house in her youth That is Being in the Family and under the Government of her Father and not disposed of in Marriage See v. 6 9. 5. In the day that he heareth i. e. Forth-with after it is come to his knowledge See v. 8 9 14 15. Shall forgive her Or Will forgive her i. e. Will not impute her not performing such a Vow unto her 6. She vowed Heb. Her vows were upon her 9. Every vow 〈◊〉 widow i. e. Every Vow made in her Widowhood and when she had power to dispose of her self and Actions 10. And if she vowed in her husband's house i. e. If she that is now a Widow or divorced did make her Vow during her Husband's life or before she was divorced from him This sense which is very natural distinguisheth this Law from that in the sixth Verse 11. All her vows shall stand Those Vows which she then made shall oblige her in her Widowhood 13. To afflict the soul Such are Vows of Fasting or Abstinence Levit. 16.29 15. But if he shall any ways make them void c. i. e. If the Husband after he hath by his silence established the Vow of his Wife shall by his Power and Authority over her hinder her from performing such a Vow the sin in this case shall not be imputed to the Wife who was ready to perform her Vow but to her Husband who restrained her CHAP. XXXI The ARGUMENT The Israelites overcome the Midianites and slay Balaam They saved the Women alive at which Moses is offended and commands them what they shall do with them and also to purify themselves Of dividing the Prey and of the Lord's Tribute out of it 1. AND the LORD spake unto Moses saying 2. Avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites afterward shalt thou be gathered unto thy people 3. And Moses spake unto the people saying Arm some of your selves unto the war and let them go against the Midianites and avenge the LORD of Midian 4. Of every tribe a thousand throughout all the tribes of Israel shall ye send to the war 5. So there were delivered out of the thousands of Israel a thousand of every tribe twelve thousand armed for war 6. And Moses sent them to the war a thousand of every tribe them and Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest to the war with the holy instruments and the trumpets to blow in his hand 7. And they warred against the Midianites as the LORD commanded Moses and they slew all the males 8. And they slew the kings of Midian beside the rest of them that were slain namely Evi and Rekem and Zur and Hur and Reba five kings of Midian Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword 9. And the children of Israel took all the women of Midian captives and their little ones and took the spoil of all their cattel and all their flocks and all their goods 10. And they burnt all their cities wherein they dwelt and all their goodly castles with fire 11. And they took all the spoil and all the prey both of men and of beasts 12. And they brought the captives and the prey and the spoil unto Moses and Eleazar the priest and unto the congregation of the children of Israel unto the camp at the plains of Moab which are by Jordan near Jericho 13. And Moses and Eleazar the priest and all the princes of the congregation went forth to meet them without the camp 14. And Moses was wroth with the officers of the host with the captains over thousands and captains over hundreds which came from the battel 15. And Moses said unto them Have ye saved all the women alive 16. Behold these caused the children of Israel through the counsel of Balaam to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD 17. Now therefore kill every male among the little ones and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him 18. But all the women-children that have not known a man by lying with him keep alive for your selves 19. And do ye abide without the camp seven days whosoever hath killed any person and whosoever hath touched any slain purifie both your selves and your captives on the third day and on the seventh day 20. And purifie all your raiment and all that is made of skins and all work of goats hair and all things
as great a share as the Congregation which staid at home though they were but about the fiftieth part of them 28. One soul of five hundred Or One of five hundred This is but the tenth part of what was taken out of the other Moyety belonging to the Congregation This being taken for the Priests the other for the Levites Now as the Levites were far the greater number so the same proportion is observed here as in the Tithes where the Priests received but one tenth of what was paid to the Levites 30. One portion of fifty The Congregation not having hazarded their lives are enjoined to part with ten times as much as those who went to the Battel and in such a proportion as the number of them that went to Battel held to the whole Congregation which was about the fiftieth part For that is the proportion between the 12000 Men of War and the whole Congregation which made up the number of 600000 and upwards ch 26. Flocks Or Goats 32. The rest of the prey i. e. That remained after they had killed the Males and the adult Women v. 17. and possibly eaten some of the Cattel also 37. Six hundred c. Which is exactly the proportion of one in five hundred injoined v. 28. See the Note there 49. Charge Heb. Hand 50. Gotten Heb. Found To make an atonement For they had sinned as appears from v. 14. 52. Offering Heb. Heave-offering 53. For himself See the Note on v. 26. 54. A memorial A Memorial at once of God's Mercy in preserving their number intire and of their Gratitude and Piety in offering up their Tribute of Praise CHAP. XXXII The ARGUMENT The Reubenites and Gadites desire their Inheritance on that side of Jordan Moses is displeased with their Request They offer Conditions whereupon their Request is granted 1. NOW the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of cattel and when they saw the land of Jazer and the land of Gilead that behold the place was a place for cattel 2. The children of Gad and the children of Reuben came and spake unto Moses and to Eleazar the priest and unto the princes of the congregation saying 3. Ataroth and Dibon and Jazer and Nimrab and Heshbon and Elealeh and Shebam and Nebo and Beon 4. Even the country which the LORD smote before the congregation of Israel is a land for cattel and thy servants have cattel 5. Wherefore said they if we have found grace in thy sight let this land be given unto thy servants for a possession and bring us not over Jordan 6. And Moses said unto the children of Gad and to the children of Reuben Shall your brethren go to war and shall ye sit here 7. And wherefore discourage ye the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which the LORD hath given them 8. Thus did your fathers when I sent them from Kadesh-barnea to see the land 9. For when they went up unto the valley of Eshcol and saw the land they discouraged the heart of the children of Israel that they should not go into the land which the LORD had given them 10. And the LORD's anger was kindled the same time and he sware saying 11. Surely none of the men that came up out of Egypt from twenty years old and upward shall see the land which I sware unto Abraham unto Isaac and unto Jacob because they have not wholly followed me 12. Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite and Joshua the son of Nun for they have wholly followed the LORD 13. And the LORD's anger was kindled against Israel and he made them wander in the wilderness forty years untill all the generation that had done evil in the sight of the LORD was consumed 14. And behold ye are risen up in your father's stead an increase of sinfull men to augment yet the fierce anger of the LORD toward Israel 15. For if ye turn away from after him he will yet again leave them in the wilderness and ye shall destroy all this people 16. And they came near unto him and said We will build sheepfolds here for our cattel and cities for our little ones 17. But we our selves will go ready armed before the children of Israel untill we have brought them unto their place and our little ones shall dwell in the fenced cities because of the inhabitants of the land 18. We will not return unto our houses untill the children of Israel have inherited every man his inheritance 19. For we will not inherit with them on yonder side Jordan or forward because our inheritance is fallen to us on this side Jordan eastward 20. And Moses said unto them If ye will do this thing if ye will go armed before the LORD to war 21. And will go all of you armed over Jordan before the LORD untill he hath driven out his enemies from before him 22. And the land be subdued before the LORD then afterward ye shall return and be guiltless before the LORD and before Israel and this land shall be your possession before the LORD 23. But if ye will not do so behold ye have sinned against the LORD and be sure your sin will find you out 24. Build ye cities for your little ones and folds for your sheep and do that which hath proceeded out of your mouth 25. And the children of Gad and the children of Reuben spake unto Moses saying Thy servants will do as my lord commandeth 26. Our little ones our wives our flocks and all our cattel shall be there in the cities of Gilead 27. But thy servants will pass over every man armed for war before the LORD to battel as my lord saith 28. So concerning them Moses commanded Eleazar the priest and Joshua the son of Nun and the chief fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel 29. And Moses said unto them If the children of Gad and the children of Reuben will pass with you over Jordan every man armed to battel before the LORD and the land shall be subdued before you then ye shall give them the land of Gilead for a possession 30. But if they will not pass over with you armed they shall have possessions among you in the land of Canaan 31. And the children of Gad and the children of Reuben answered saying As the LORD hath said unto thy servants so will we do 32. We will pass over armed before the LORD unto the land of Canaan that the possession of our inheritance on this side Jordan may be ours 33. And Moses gave unto them even to the children of Gad and to the children of Reuben and unto half the tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan the land with the cities thereof in the coasts even the cities of the country round about 34. And the children of Gad built Dibon and Ataroth and Aroer 35. And
the LORD and died there in the fortieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt in the first day of the fifth month 39. And Aaron was an hundred and twenty and three years old when he died in mount Hor. 40. And king Arad the Canaanite which dwelt in the south in the land of Canaan heard of the coming of the children of Israel 41. And they departed from mount Hor and pitched in Zalmonah 42. And they departed from Zalmonah and pitched in Punon 43. And they departed from Punon and pitched in Oboth 44. And they departed from Oboth and pitched in Ije-abarim in the border of Moab 45. And they departed from Iim and pitched in Dibon-gad 46. And they removed from Dibon-gad and encamped in Almon-diblathaim 47. And they removed from Almon-diblathaim and pitched in the mountains of Abarim before Nebo 48. And they departed from the mountains of Abarim and pitched in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho 49. And they pitched by Jordan from Beth-jesimoth even unto Abel-shittim in the plains of Moab 50. And the LORD spake unto Moses in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho saying 51. Speak unto the children of Israel and say unto them When ye are passed over Jordan into the land of Canaan 52. Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you and destroy all their pictures and destroy all their molten images and quite pluck down all their high places 53. And ye shall dispossess the inhabitants of the land and dwell therein for I have given you the land to possess it 54. And ye shall divide the land by lot for an inheritance among your families and to the mo ye shall give the more inheritance and to the fewer ye shall give the less inheritance every man's inheritance shall be in the place where his lot falleth according to the tribes of your fathers ye shall inherit 55. But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you then it shall come to pass that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes and thorns in your sides and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell 56. Moreover it shall come to pass that I shall do unto you as I thought to do unto them 2. By the Commandment of the LORD These words may well referr both to their Journeyings which were directed by God Exod. 13.21.14.2 Numb 10.13 and to Moses his description of them in this place which tended to the rendring the History the more credible and to perpetuate the Memory of God's miraculous Works and special Providence 3. Departed from Rameses Exod. 12.37 Here follows an account of Two and forty Mansions reckoning Rameses the place from whence they set forth for one 4. Vpon their Gods See the Note upon Exod. 12.12 6. From Succoth Exod. 13.20 8. Passed through Exod. 15.22 9. Came unto Elim Exod. 15.27 10. By the Red-sea i. e. Upon the Shoar of it 11. Wilderness of Sin Exod. 16.1 14. Rephidim Exod 17.1 15. Wilderness of Sinai Exod. 19.1 Hither they came in the third month after they came out of Egypt and stayed here near a year viz. to the twentieth day of the second month of the following year Numb 10.11 12. 16. At Kibroth-hattaavah i. e. The graves of lust See ch 11.34 This was in the Wilderness of Paran ch 10.12 and three days Journey from their last Mansion v. 33. 17. Encamped Ch. 11.35 18. Rithmah This place was likewise in the Wilderness of Paran ch 12.16 near Kadesh-Barnea ch 13.26 30. Encamped at Moseroth Deut. 10.6 and the Note upon that place 31. Bene-jaakan Called Beeroth of the children of Jaakan Deut. 10.6 See the Note on ch 32.3 32. Hor-hagidgad Called Gudgodah Deut. 10.7 33. Jotbathah The same with Jotbath Deut. 10.7 35. Ezion-gaber This lay on the Shoar of the Red-sea 1 King 9.26 36. Wilderness of Zin Chap. 20.1 Which is Kadesh That is it was at Kadesh where they pitched There was a twofold Kadesh viz. Kadesh-barnea which was the fifteenth Mansion See verse 18. and in the South part of Canaan chap. 34.4 Josh 15.3 and in the Wilderness of Paran chap. 12.16 And Kadesh in the Wilderness of Zin of which mention is made here This was upon the Borders of Edom chap. 20.14 towards Ezion-gaber and the Red-sea chap. 2.8 37. Kadesh Ch. 20.22 Mount Hor See ch 20.22 23. the same with Mosera Deut. 10.6 See the Note on that place 38. Aaron Chap. 20.25 Deut. 32.50 40. King Arad Chap. 21.1 c. 41. Hor Chap. 21.4 44. Ije-abarim Or Heaps of Abarim This is called Iim being absolutely taken verse 45. 49. Abel-shittim Or the Plains of Shittim See chap. 25.1 51. When ye are Deut. 7.2 Josh 11 12. 52. All their pictures All those Images and Representations upon what Material soever they were wrought which were worshipped or designed for such an use See Deut. 16.22 with Levit. 26.1 High places i. e. All Groves or Chappels for Worship which were generally in high places See Deut. 12.2 54. Ye shall divide Chap. 26.53 and the Note on verse 55. Give the more inheritance Heb. Multiply his inheritance Give the less inheritance Heb. Diminish his inheritance 55. Pricks in your eyes and thorns in your sides Josh 23.13 Judg. 2.3 i. e. They shall torment and mischief you as Pricks and Thorns are wont to do CHAP. XXXIV The ARGUMENT Of the Borders of the Land of Canaan The Names of those Men who were to divide it 1. AND the LORD spake unto Moses saying 2. Command the children of Israel and say unto them When ye come into the land of Canaan this is the land that shall fall unto you for an inheritance even the land of Canaan with the coasts thereof 3. Then your south-quarter shall be from the wilderness of Zin along by the coast of Edom and your south-border shall be the out-most coast of the salt-sea east-ward 4. And your border shall turn from the south to the ascent of Abrabbim and pass on to Zin and the going forth thereof shall be from the south to Kadesh-barnea and shall go on to Hazar-addar and pass on to Azmon 5. And the border shall fetch a compass from Azmon unto the river of Egypt and the goings out of it shall be at the sea 6. And as for the western-border you shall even have the great sea for a border this shall be your west-border 7. And this shall be your north-border from the great sea you shall point out for you mount Hor. 8. From mount Hor ye shall point out your border unto the entrance of Hamath and the goings forth of the border shall be to Zedad 9. And the border shall go on to Ziphron and the goings out of it shall be at Hazar-enan this shall be your north-border 10. And ye shall point out your east-border from Hazar-enan to Shepham 11. And the coast shall go down from
Shepham to Riblah on the east-side of Ain and the border shall descend and shall reach unto the side of the sea of Chinnereth east-ward 12. And the border shall go down to Jordan and the goings out of it shall be at the salt-sea This shall be your land with the coasts thereof round about 13. And Moses commanded the children of Israel saying This is the land which ye shall inherit by lot which the LORD commanded to give unto the nine tribes and to the half-tribe 14. For the tribe of the children of Reuben according to the house of their fathers and the tribe of the children of Gad according to the house of their fathers have received their inheritance and half the tribe of Manasseh have received their inheritance 15. The two tribes and the half-tribe have received their inheritance on this side Jordan near Jericho eastward toward the sun-rising 16. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 17. These are the names of the men which shall divide the land unto you Eleazar the priest and Joshua the son of Nun. 18. And ye shall take one prince of every tribe to divide the land by inheritance 19. And the names of the men are these Of the tribe of Judah Caleb the son of Jephunneh 20. And of the tribe of the children of Simeon Shemuel the son of Ammihud 21. Of the tribe of Benjamin Elidad the son of Chislon 22. And the prince of the tribe of the children of Dan Bukki the son of Jogli 23. The prince of the children of Joseph for the tribe of the children of Manasseh Hanniel the son of Ephod 24. And the prince of the tribe of the children of Ephraim Kemuel the son of Shiphtan 25. And the prince of the tribe of the children of Zebulun Elizaphan the son of Parnach 26. And the prince of the tribe of the children of Issachar Paltiel the son of Azzan 27. And the prince of the tribe of the children of Asher Ahihud the son of Shelomi 28. And the prince of the tribe of the children of Naphtali Pedahel the son of Ammihud 29. These are they whom the LORD commanded to divide the inheritance unto the children of Israel in the land of Canaan 3. Your south-quarter Josh 15.1 In this Quarter fell the Lot of the Tribe of Judah And the Land which they were about to enter into was thus set out that they might know the bounds of their Conquest and not think themselves at liberty to invade the Possessions of their Neighbours Salt-sea This is also called the Dead-sea and is the Lake of Sodom See the Note on Gen. 14.3 4. Kadesh-barnea See the Note on ch 33.36 5. Vnto the river of Egypt See Gen. 15.18 with the Note 6. The great sea That is the Sea called the Mediterranean 7. Mount Hor Not the place where Aaron died but a Mount in the Northern Coast of the Land and perhaps Libanus which was remarkable for its Eminence The Vulgar renders it the highest Mountain 11. Side Heb. Shoulder Sea of Chinnereth This is called the Lake of Genesareth Luk. 5.1 and the Sea of Galilee or of Tyberias Joh. 6.1 A farther account of the Bounds of this Land which did lie within Jordan is to be had from the Book of Joshua 14. For the tribe Chap. 52.33 Josh 14.2 3. 17. Eleazar Josh 19.51 CHAP. XXXV The ARGUMENT Eight and forty Cities are appointed for the Levites Of the Suburbs of those Cities Of the Cities of Refuge Of Man-slaughter and of Murder 1. AND the LORD spake unto Moses in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho saying 2. Command the children of Israel that they give unto the Levites of the inheritance of their possession cities to dwell in and ye shall give also unto the Levites suburbs for the cities round about them 3. And the cities shall they have to dwell in and the suburbs of them shall be for their cattel and for their goods and for all their beasts 4. And the suburbs of the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites shall reach from the wall of the city and outward a thousand cubits round about 5. And ye shall measure from without the city on the east-side two thousand cubits and on the south-side two thousand cubits and on the west-side two thousand cubits and on the north-side two thousand cubits and the city shall be in the midst this shall be to them the suburbs of the cities 6. And among the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites there shall be six cities for refuge which ye shall appoint for the man-slayer that he may flee thither and to them ye shall add forty and two cities 7. So all the cities which ye shall give to the Levites shall be forty and eight cities them shall ye give with their suburbs 8. And the cities which ye shall give shall be of the possession of the children of Israel from them that have many ye shall give many but from them that have few ye shall give few every one shall give of his cities unto the Levites according to his inheritance which he inheriteth 9. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 10. Speak unto the children of Israel and say unto them When ye be come over Jordan into the land of Canaan 11. Then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you that the slayer may flee thither which killeth any person at unawares 12. And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger that the man-slayer die not until be stand before the congregation in judgment 13. And of these cities which ye shall give six cities shall ye have for refuge 14. Ye shall give three cities on this side Jordan and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan which shall be cities of refuge 15. These six cities shall be a refuge both for the children of Israel and for the stranger and for the sojourner among them that every one that killeth any person unawares may flee thither 16. And if he smite him with an instrument of iron so that he die he is a murderer the murderer shall surely be put to death 17. And if he smite him with throwing a stone wherewith he may die and he die he is a murderer the murderer shall surely be put to death 18. Or if he smite him with an hand-weapon of wood wherewith he may die and he die he is a murderer the murderer shall surely be put to death 19. The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer when he meeteth him he shall slay him 20. But if he thrust him of hatred or hurl at him by laying of â—â—it that he die 21. Or in enmity smite him with his hand that he die he that sâ—ote him shall surely be put to death for he is a murderer the revenger of blood shall slay the murderer when he meeteth him 22. But if he thrust him suddenly without enmity or have cast upon him any thing without laying
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
tribe whereunto they are received so shall it be taken from the lot of our inheritance 4. And when the jubile of the children of Israel shall be then shall their inheritance be put unto the inheritance of the tribe whereunto they are received so shall their inheritance be taken away from the inheritance of the tribe of our fathers 5. And Moses commanded the children of Israel according to the word of the LORD saying The tribe of the sons of Joseph hath said well 6. This is the thing which the LORD doth command concerning the daughters of Zelopheâ—â—a saying Let them marry to whom they think best onely to the family of the tribe of their father shall they marry 7. So shall not the inheritance of the children of Israel remove from tribe to tribe for every one of the children of Israel shall keep himself to the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers 8. And every daughter that possesseth an inheritance in any tribe of the children of Israel shall be wise unto one of the family of the tribe of her father that the children of Israel may enjoy every man the inheritance of his fathers 9. Neither shall the inheritance remove from one tribe to another tribe but every one of the tribes of the children of Israel shall keep himself to his own inheritance 10. Even as the LORD commanded Moses so did the daughters of Zelophehad 11. For Mahlah Tâ—zah and Hogâ—â—b and Miâ—â—â—â—l and Naab the daughters of Zâ—lapâ—â—bad 〈◊〉 departing 〈…〉 fathers brothers 〈◊〉 12. And they were married into the 〈◊〉 of the sone of Manaâ—â—◠〈…〉 and their 〈…〉 in the tribe 〈…〉 their father 13. These are the commandments and the judgments which 〈◊〉 LORD commanded by the hand of Moses 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 children of Israel in the â—elus of Moab by 〈◊〉 〈…〉 1. AND the chief fathers of the families of the children of Gilead These principal Men it well became to take care of the common Interest of the whole Tribe but then they were it is likely that part of them who had not yet received their Inheritance it being their Interest but were to receive it in Canaan For it is evident that the Daughters of Zelophehad received their Inheritance within the Land of Canaan and not on the other side of Jordan Josh 17.3 2. The LORD Ch. 27.1 Josh 17.3 3. Then shall their inheritance c. This inconvenience might be very great and affect the other Tribes and bring in a great confusion insomuch that the distinction of Tribes might in time be lost for the Inheritance would be in the hands of another Tribe and the Children would be of the Tribe of their Father Whereunto they are received Heb. Vnto whom they shall be 4. And when the jubile c. q. d. This mischief will not be remedied by the year of Jubile which yet was designed for the preserving Inheritances in the Tribes and Families in which they were at the first because by these Marriages the Families will be lost being quite passed away to another Family and Tribe unto which these Daughters shall happen to marry 6. Marry Heb. Be 〈…〉 Too 〈…〉 the family of the tribes They were confined not onely to the Tribe but also to the Family 〈◊〉 appears from 〈…〉 v. 8. and also from the Reason of the Law â—hich â—â—â—â—ed the preservation of the Family as well as of the Tribe And the Daughters of Zelophehad when they begged an Inheritance said Why should the name of our father be done â—ay from among his family ch 25.4 And 〈…〉 reason why the Law was made of marrying a Brother's Wife Deut. 25.6 And agreeably hereunto these Daughters of Zelophehad marry to their first Cousins v. 11. 8. Every daughter that possesseth This Law concerns Daughâ—â—â—◠〈…〉 who might marry into other Tribes And not all Daughters but such onely as were Heiresses 9. Neither shall the inheritance c. Which by this Law was effectually prevented 11. For Mahlah c. ch â—◠〈◊〉 〈…〉 12. Into the families Heb. To some that were of the families THE Fifth Book of Moses CALLED DEUTERONOMY THE General Argument OF THE Fifth Book of MOSES CALLED DEUTERONOMY THIS Book is called Deuteronomy which in the Greek Tongue imports a Repetition of the Law And it is so called very fitly There being in this Divine Book a Repetition not onely of many Facts which had passed before but of many Laws also which were mentioned before When and where these words were spoken we are told ch 1.1 3. Moses puts the Israelites in mind of God's promise of the choice of Rulers the sending Spies and their Disobedience He goes on to mind them of their Passage by the Country of Esau and their going over the Brook Zered And their Victory over Sihon And for their farther encouragement to trust in God for the future he relates the Conquest of Og and the distribution of the conquered Land As also his Command to Joshua and he relates how he was barred from entring into the promised Land chap. 1 2 3. Then follows a most pathetical Exhortation to Obedience and Caution against Idolatry with an account of the Cities of Refuge set apart on this side of Jordan Moses proceeds to mind them of the Covenant in Horeb and repeats to them the Ten Commandments and presseth them to Obedience particularly to the Love and Fear of God They are warned against Communion with the Nations and assured of Victory chap. 4 5 6 7. Moses goes on to press the Israelites to Obedience and warns them not to forget God in their plenty and not to conceit well of themselves and to that purpose minds them of their frequent Rebellions He farther relates the Mercy of God in restoring the Two Tables and separating the Levites and from several Arguments proceeds to move them to Obedience chap. 8 9 10 11. He commands them to destroy all Monuments of Idolatry and to shew due regard to the place which God shou'd choose to place his Name there And not to spare the Enticers to Idolatry nor the City that falls into it He forbids them the disfiguring themselves in Mourning for the dead He lets them know what Creatures may and may not be eaten And gives them farther direction as to the Tithe of the third year chap. 12 13 14. He proceeds to speak of the year of Release of Hebrew Servants of the Firstlings of the Cattel of the several Feasts of Judges and Judgment of Idolatry and the Punishment thereof of hard Controversies and the Determination thereof of the Choice and Duty of a King chap. 15 16 17. Of the Portion of the Priests and Levites The Messiah promised The way of judging of a false Prophet of the Cities of Refuge of removing the Land-mark of Witnesses and the Punishment of a false Witness of Warring and the part of the Priest and Officers on this occasion of the Usage to be shewed towards those they War with of the Trees that are to be spared
the first day of the month that Moses spake unto the children of Israel according unto all that the LORD had given him in commandment unto them 4. After he had slain Sihon the king of the Amorites which dwelt in Heshbon and Og the king of Bashan which dwelt at Astaroth in Edrei 5. On this side Jordan in the land of Moab began Moses to declare this law saying 6. The LORD our God spake unto us in Horeb saying Ye have dwelt long enough in this mount 7. Turn you and take your journey and go to the mount of the Amorites and unto all the places nigh thereunto in the plain in the hills and in the vale and in the south and by the sea-side to the land of the Canaanites and unto Lebanon unto the great river the river Euphrates 8. Behold I have set the land before you go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers Abraham Isaac and Jacob to give unto them and to their seed after them 9. And I spake unto you at that time saying I am not able to bear you my self alone 10. The LORD your God hath multiplied you and behold you are this day as the stars of heaven for multitude 11. The LORD God of your fathers make you a thousand times so many mo as ye are and bless you as he hath promised you 12. How can I my self alone bear your cumbrance and your burden and your strife 13. Take ye wise men and understanding and known among your tribes and I will make them rulers over you 14. And ye answered me and said The thing which thou hast spoken is good for us to do 15. So I took the chief of your tribes wise men and known and made them heads over you captains over thousands and captains over hundreds and captains over fifties and captains over tens and officers among your tribes 16. And I charged your judges at that time saying Hear the causes between your brethren and judge righteously between every man and his brother and the stranger that is with him 17. Ye shall not respect persons in judgment but you shall hear the small as well as the great you shall not be afraid of the face of man for the judgment is God's and the cause that is too hard for you bring it unto me and I will hear it 18. And I commanded you at that time all the things which ye should do 19. And when we departed from Horeb we went through all that great and terrible wilderness which you saw by the way of the mountain of the Amorites as the LORD our God commanded us and we came to Kadesh-barnea 20. And I said unto you Ye are come unto the mountain of the Amorites which the LORD our God doth give unto us 21. Behold the LORD thy God hath set the land before thee go up and possess it as the LORD God of thy fathers hath said unto thee fear not neither be discouraged 22. And ye came near unto me every one of you and said We will send men before us and they shall search us out the land and bring us word again by what way we must go up and into what cities we shall come 23. And the saying pleased me well and I took twelve men of you one of a tribe 24. And they turned and went up into the mountain and came unto the valley of Eshcol and searched it out 25. And they took of the fruit of the land in their hands and brought it down unto us and brought us word again and said It is a good land which the LORD our God doth give us 26. Notwithstanding ye would not go up but rebelled against the commandment of the LORD your God 27. And ye murmured in your tents and said Because the LORD hated us he hath brought us forth out of the land of Egypt to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites to destroy us 28. Whither shall we go up our brethren have discouraged our heart saying The people is greater and taller then we the cities are great and walled up to heaven and moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakims there 29. Then I said unto you Dread not neither be afraid of them 30. The LORD your God which goeth before you he shall fight for you according to all that he did for you in Egypt before your eyes 31. And in the wilderness where thou hast seen how that the LORD thy God bare thee as a man doth bear his son in all the way that ye went until ye came into this place 32. Yet in this thing ye did not believe the LORD your God 33. Who went in the way before you to search you out a place to pitch your tents in in fire by night to shew you by what way ye should go and in a cloud by day 34. And the LORD heard the voice of your words and was wroth and sware saying 35. Surely there shall not one of these men of this evil generation see that good land which I sware to give unto your fathers 36. Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh he shall see it and to him will I give the land that he hath troden upon and to his children because he hath wholly followed the LORD 37. Also the LORD was angry with me for your sakes saying Thou also shalt not go in thither 38. But Joshua the son of Nun which standeth before thee he shall go in thither Encourage him for he shall cause Israel to inherit it 39. Moreover your little ones which ye said should be a prey and your children which in that day had no knowledge between good and evil they shall go in thither and unto them will I give it and they shall possess it 40. But as for you turn ye and take your journey into the wilderness by the way of the Red-sea 41. Then ye answered and said unto me We have sinned against the LORD we will go up and fight according to all that the LORD our God commanded us And when ye had girded on every man his weapons of war ye were ready to go up into the hill 42. And the LORD said unto me Say unto them Go not up neither fight for I am not among you left ye be smitten before your enemies 43. So I spake unto you and you would not hear but rebelled against the commandment of the LORD and went presumptuously up into the hill 44. And the Amorites which dwelt in that mountain came out against you and chased you as bees do and destroyed you in Seir even unto Hormah 45. And ye returned and wept before the LORD but the LORD would not hearken to your voice nor give ear unto you 46. So ye abode in Kadesh many days according unto the days that ye abode there 1. WHich Moses spake i. e. Which Moses had formerly spoken and which are here repeated and set down for the benefit of the surviving Israelites The Red-sea Or Zuph It
who hear the report of them 26. Wilderness of Kedemoth A Wilderness so called from a City of that name mentioned among the Cities which were given to the Reubenites Josh 13.18 With words of peace There are several weighty Reasons may be assigned why Moses took this course with Sihon who was to be destroyed viz. I. That the Israelites might be sensible that their Victory over Sihon was not imputable to his fearfulness and want of courage who was so hardy as to refuse them passage v. 30. II. To strike terror by this Example into the other Nations that would be inclined to resist III. To give the Israelites a proof that God's Counsel should stand in that Sihon hardened himself and refused the Offer of Peace 27. Let me pass Numb 21.21 22. 29. As the children c. Not that the Edomites and Moabites gave them passage through their Land but furnished them with Meat and Water as they went by their Coasts 30. Hardened c. That is He so left him that he was inexorable to the desire of the Israelites 32. Then Sihon Numb 21.23 34. Men and the women and the little ones of every city Heb. Every City of men and women and little ones 36. City that is by the river i. e. Ar Numb 21.15 37. Jabbok This was the Border of Ammon Josh 12.2 which they went not beyond CHAP. III. The ARGUMENT Moses proceeds to relate their Conquest over O G King of Bashan and their Possessing his Country He relateth the Greatness of the Bed of O G and how his Country was distributed to the Reubenites and Gadites and to half of the Tribe of Manasseh He tells us also what he required of these two Tribes and half Moses telleth also that he is not permitted to go into the Land of Canaan 1. THen we turned and went up the way to Bashan and Og the king of Bashan came out against us he and all his people to battel at Edrei 2. And the LORD said unto me Fear him not for I will deliver him and all his people and his land into thy hand and thou shalt do unto him as thou didst unto Sihon king of the Amorites which dwelt at Heshbon 3. So the LORD our God delivered into our hands Og also the king of Bashan and all his people and we smote him untill none was left to him remaining 4. And we took all his cities at that time there was not a city which we took not from them threescore cities all the region of Argob the kingdom of Og in Bashan 5. All these cities were fenced with high walls gates and bars beside unwalled towns a great many 6. And we utterly destroyed them as we did unto Sihon king of Heshbon utterly destroying the men women and children of every city 7. But all the cattel and the spoil of the cities we took for a prey to our selves 8. And we took at that time out of the hand of the two kings of the Amorites the land that was on this side Jordan from the river of Arnon unto mount Hermon 9. Which Hermon the Sidonians call Sirion and the Amorites call it Shener 10. All the cities of the plain and all Gilead and all Bashan unto Salchah and Edrei cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan 11. For onely Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of giants behold his bed-stead was a bed-stead of Iron is it not in Rabbath of the children of Ammon nine cubits was the length thereof and four cubits the breadth of it after the cubit of a man 12. And this land which we possessed at that time from Anoer which is by the river Arnon and half mount Gilead and the cities thereof gave I unto the Reubenites and to the Gadites 13. And the rest of Gilead and all Bashan being the kingdom of Og gave I unto the half-tribe of Manasseh all the region of Argob with all Bashan which was called the land of giants 14. Jair the son of Manasseh took all the country of Argob unto the coasts of Geshuri and Maachathi and called them after his own name Bashan-havoth-jair unto this day 15. And I gave Gilead unto Machir 16. And unto the Reubenites and unto the Gadites I gave from Gilead even unto the river Arnon half the valley and the border even unto the river Jabbok which is the border of the children of Ammon 17. The plain also and Jordan and the coast thereof from Chinnereth even unto the sea of the plain even the salt-sea under Ashdoth-Pisgah east-ward 18. And I commanded you at that time saying The LORD your God hath given you this land to possess it ye shall pass over armed before your brethren the children of Israel all that are meet for the war 19. But your wives and your little ones and your cattel for I know that ye have much cattel shall abide in your cities which I have given you 20. Vntill the LORD hath given rest unto your brethren as well as unto you and untill they also possess the land which the LORD your God hath given them beyond Jordan and then shall ye return every man unto his possession which I have given you 21. And I commanded Joshua at that time saying Thine eyes have seen all that the LORD your God hath done unto these two kings so shall the LORD do unto all the kingdoms whither thou passest 22. Ye shall not fear them for the LORD your God he shall fight for you 23. And I besought the LORD at that time saying 24. O Lord GOD thou hast begun to shew thy servant thy greatness and thy mighty hand for what God is there in heaven or in earth that can do according to thy works and according to thy might 25. I pray thee let me go over and see the good land that is beyond Jordan that goodly mountain and Lebanon 26. But the LORD was wroth with me for your sakes and would not hear me and the LORD said unto me Let it suffice thee speak no more unto me of this matter 27. Get thee up into the top of Pisgah and lift up thine eyes west-ward and north ward and south-ward and east-ward and behold it with thine eyes for thou shalt not go over this Jordan 28. But charge Joshua and encourage him and strengthen him for he shall go over before this people and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see 29. So we abode in the valley over against Beth-peor 1. OG See Numb 21.33 c. ch 29.7 2. Sihon Numb 21.24 3. Og Numb 21.33 4. All the region of Argob This was a Region subject to Bashan v. 13. 1 King 4.13 5. Fenced with high walls And our having taken them may encourage our hopes for the future See Numb 13.28 9. Shener The Chaldee expresseth it by a Mountain of snow 11. His bed-stead c. This account of his Bed-stead which was at that time to be seen in Rabbath is added here as an Evidence of
which I give them to possess it 32. Ye shall observe to do therefore as the LORD your God hath commanded you you shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left 33. You shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you that ye may live and that it may be well with you and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess 1. SAid unto them By their principal Men their Elders or Heads of their several Tribes See chap. 29.10 For Moses must be supposed to have spoken to the whole Congregation of all Israel after the same manner in which they are said to speak to him viz. By the Heads of their Tribes and by their Elders as is expressed in v. 23. of this Chapter where he says Ye came near unto me not that all the Men of Israel did so for it follows by way of Explication even all the Heads of your Tribes and your Elders Keep and do them Heb. Keep to do them This is the great End of their hearing and learning them 2. The LORD c. Exod. 19.5 3. With our fathers viz. With Abraham Isaac and Jacob. It is not said that God did not enter into Covenant with them but that he made not this Covenant with them viz. this at Horeb. Here God did more largely reveal his Will and thereupon solemnly entred into Covenant with the People and their Posterity as appears from the following words 4. Face to face i. e. Clearly and distinctly Numb 12.18 though not in any visible shape ch 4.12 5. I stood between the LORD and you viz. as a Mediator and at your request v. 27. to teach you the Statutes which were given after the Ten Commandments 6. I am the LORD Exod. 20.2 c. with the Notes on that Chapter Levit. 26.1 Psal 81.10 Bondage Heb. Servants 9. Visiting Exod. 34.7 10. And shewing mercy Jer. 32.18 12. Keep It is Remember Exod. 20. but that was in order to the keeping of it 14. Sabbath Gen. 2.2 Heb. 4.4 15. Therefore c. i. e. Thou art obliged upon the account of that Redemption which is mentioned as an argument to Obedience of these Laws v. 6. and Exod 20.2 as well as in Memory of the Creation to observe this day of rest 16. And that it may go well with thee These words are here added to what we read Exod. 20.12 as a farther motive to Obedience and we find the Apostle takes notice of it Eph. 6.3 Upon the whole Obedience to this Precept hath the promise not onely of a long but an happy Life 17. Thou shalt not kill Matt. 5.21 18. Neither c. Luk. 18.20 19. Neither Ro. 13.9 21. Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour's wife c. The words in this Verse contain the same Precept which we find in Exod. 20.17 It is delivered with some variety The most considerable is this That whereas Exod. 20.17 the coveting the Neighbour's House is first forbidden and then the coveting his Wife here on the other hand is first forbid the desire of his Wife and then the coveting his House c. which is a good argument that this Verse as also Exod. 20.17 to which it answers contains but one Commandment however some Men to serve their Ends have divided it into two For if it were two we could not distinguish between the Ninth and Tenth the one being first in one and the other in the other place Nor is it to be supposed that Moses would put the Tenth before the Ninth See the Note on Exod. 20.17 22. He added no more i. e. He did not deliver the following Laws which we find in Exod. ch XXI XXII c. as he did these Moral Precepts by an audible voice and the solemn manner in the midst of the Fire c. but he delivered them to Moses who imparted them to the People 24. We have heard Exod. 19.19 And he liveth Ch. 4.33 It appears that this was a case not to be parallelled and that though they had escaped hitherto yet they were very fearfull for the future v. 25 26. See Judg. 6.22 23. 25. Hear Heb. Add to hear 27. Speak thou unto us Exod. 20.19 29. O that there were such an heart c. These words do fully assure us that their Obedience and the happiness which would thence accrue to them were things greatly pleasing and acceptable to God the most sincere lover of Souls CHAP. VI. The ARGUMENT An Exhortation to the Fear and Love of the One true God and to Obedience to his Laws and Instruction of their children They are warned not to forget God in their Prosperity and particularly against Idolatry 1. NOW these are the commandments the statutes and the judgments which the LORD your God commanded to teach you that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it 2. That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God to keep all his statutes and his commandments which I command thee thou and thy son and thy son's son all the days of thy life and that thy days may be prolonged 3. Hear therefore O Israel and observe to do it that it may be well with thee and that ye may increase mightily as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee in the land that floweth with milk and honey 4. Hear O Israel The LORD our God is one LORD 5. And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart and with all thy soul and with all thy might 6. And these words which I command thee this day shall be in thine heart 7. And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house and when thou walkest by the way and when thou liest down and when thou risest up 8. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes 9. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house and on thy gates 10. And it shall be when the LORD thy God shall have brought thee into the land which he sware unto thy fathers to Abraham to Isaac and to Jacob to give thee great and goodly cities which thou buildedst not 11. And houses full of all good things which thou filledst not and wells digged which thou diggedst not vineyards and olive-trees which thou plantedst not when thou shalt have eaten and be full 12. Then beware lest thou forget the LORD which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt from the house of bondage 13. Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God and serve him and shalt swear by his name 14. Ye shall not go after other gods of the gods of the people which are round about you 15. For the LORD thy God is a jealous God among you lest the anger of the LORD thy God be kindled against thee and destroy thee from off the face of the earth 16. Ye shall not tempt the LORD
the covenant which the LORD made with you then I abode in the mount forty days and forty nights I neither did eat bread nor drink water 10. And the LORD delivered unto me two tables of stone written with the finger of God and on them was written according to all the words which the LORD spake with you in the mount out of the midst of fire in the day of the assembly 11. And it came to pass at the end of forty days and forty nights that the LORD gave me the two tables of stone even the tables of the covenant 12. And the LORD said unto me Arise get thee down quickly from hence for thy people which thou hast brought forth out of Egypt have corrupted themselves they are quickly turned aside out of the way which I commanded them they have made them a molten image 13. Furthermore the LORD spake unto me sayingâ— I have seen this people and behold it is a stiff-necked people 14. Let me alone that I may destroy them and blot out their name from under heaven and I will make of thee a nation mightier and greater then they 15. So I turned and came down from the mount and the mount burned with fire and the two tables of the covenant were in my two hands 16. And I looked and behold ye had sinned against the LORD your God and had made you a molten calf ye had turned aside quickly out of the way which the LORD had commanded you 17. And I took the two tables and cast them out of my two hands and brake them before your eyes 18. And I fell down before the LORD as at the first forty days and forty nights I did neither eat bread nor drink water because of all your sins which ye sinned in doing wickedly in the sight of the LORD to provoke him to anger 19. For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure wherewith the LORD was wroth against you to destroy you But the LORD hearkned unto me at that time also 20. And the LORD was very angry with Aaron to have destroyed him and I prayed for Aaron also the same time 21. And I took your sin the calf which ye had made and burnt it with fire and stamped it and ground it very small even untill it was as small as dust and I cast the dust thereof into the brook that descended out of the mount 22. And at Taberah and at Massah and at Kibroth-hattaavah ye provoked the LORD to wrath 23. Likewise when the LORD sent you from Kadesh-barnea saying Go up and possess the land which I have given you then ye rebelled against the commandment of the LORD your God and ye believed him not nor hearkned to his voice 24. You have been rebellious against the LORD from the day that I knew you 25. Thus I fell down before the LORD forty days and forty nights as I fell down at the first because the LORD had said he would destroy you 26. I prayed therefore unto the LORD and said O Lord GOD destroy not thy people and thine inheritance which thou hast redeemed through thy greatness which thou hast brought forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand 27. Remember thy servants Abraham Isaac and Jacob look not unto the stubbornness of this people nor to their wickedness nor to their sin 28. Lest the land whence thou broughtest us out say Because the LORD was not able to bring them into the land which he promised them and because he hated them he hath brought them out to slay them in the wilderness 29. Yet they are thy people and thine inheritance which thou broughtest out by thy mighty power and by thy stretched-out arm 1. THis day i. e. About this time For day does not always signifie a precise time See the Notes upon Gen. 2.4 2. The children of the Anakims Numb 13.28 3. As a consuming fire Which doeth waste that which stands in its way See chap. 4.24 Heb. 12.29 Quickly But not all at once chap. 7.22 The seeming difference between this place and chap. 7.22 as the words lie in the Hebrew Text is removed by this answer That chap. 7.22 is to be understood of the whole Land and this of the parts of it which they should successively attempt upon 7. In the Wilderness Both in the Wilderness of Shur Exod. 15.22 24. and in the Wilderness of Sin Exod. 16.1 2 3. 8. Also in Horeb viz. In the Wilderness of Sinai whither the Israelites came in the third month after they came forth out of Egypt 9. I abode in the mount Exod. 24.18 and 34.28 10. And the LORD delivered c. See Exod. 31.18 and the Note upon that place The words which the LORD spake with you i. e. The Ten Commandments which God spake from Mount Sinai Exod 20. when the People were assembled to receive the Law Exod. 19.17 For the other Laws were given them by the Mediation of Moses according to their own request Exod. 20.19 compared with Deut. 5.27 12. Arise Exod. 32.7 14. Let me alone i. e. Do not pray or intercede for them See Exod. 32.10 16. Which the LORD had commanded you For God had expressly Commanded them not onely not to worship any Idol or false God Exod. 20.3 4. but not to make with him Gods of Silver or Gold Exod. 20.23 See the Notes on Exod. 20.23 18. I fell down viz. As a Supplicant praying for the People of which see Exod. 34.8 9. As at the first That is as I did upon my coming down from the Mount upon their making and worshipping the Golden Calf For that he did then pray for the People is intimated v. 14. and more fully expressed Exod. 32.11 12 13. 21. Your sin That is the Calf which was the Object of their Idolatrous Worship It is usual in the phrase of the Holy Scripture to call the Object of the Idolatrous Worship by the name of the Sin committed See Isa 31.7 compare Exod. 32.20 and Act. 17.23 with the Marginal reading 22. Taberah c. Numb 11.1 3. Exod 17.7 Numb 11.34 These places bore the Memorial of their Sin and Punishment 25. Thus I fell down c. Of which see verse 18. and the Note there 28. Because the LORD Numb 14.16 with Exod. 32.12 CHAP. X. The ARGUMENT The two Tables are restored and put into the Ark. Of the Death of Aaron Of the Separation of the Levites to the Service of God The Israelites are exhorted to Obedience and particularly to be kind to Strangers 1. AT that time the LORD said unto me Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first and come up unto me into the mount and make thee an ark of wood 2. And I will write on the tables the words that were in the first tables which thou brakest and thou shalt put them in the ark 3. And I made an ark of shittim-wood and hewed two tables of stone like unto the first and went up into the mount having the two tables
in mine hand 4. And he wrote on the tables according to the first writing the ten commandments which the LORD spake unto you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly and the LORD gave them unto me 5. And I turned my self and came down from the mount and put the tables in the ark which I had made and there they be as the LORD commanded me 6. And the children of Israel took their journey from Beeroth of the children of Jaakan to Mosera there Aaron died and there he was buried and Eleazar his son ministred in the priest's office in his stead 7. From thence they journeyed unto Gudgodah and from Gudgodah to Jotbath a land of rivers of waters 8. At that time the LORD separated the tribe of Levi to bear the ark of the covenant of the LORD to stand before the LORD to minister unto him and to bless in his name unto this day 9. Wherefore Levi hath no part nor inheritance with his brethren the LORD is his inheritance according as the LORD thy God promised him 10. And I stayed in the mount according to the first time forty days and forty nights and the LORD hearkned unto me at that time also and the LORD would not destroy thee 11. And the LORD said unto me Arise take thy journey before the people that they may go in and possess the land which I snare unto their fathers to give unto them 12. And now Israel what doth the LORD thy God require of thee but to fear the LORD thy God to walk in all his ways and to love him and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul 13. To keep the commandments of the LORD and his statutes which I command thee this day for thy good 14. Behold the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD 's thy God the earth also with all that therein is 15. Onely the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them and he chose their seed after them even you above all people as it is this day 16. Circumcise therefore the fore-skin of your heart and be no more stiff-necked 17. For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords a great God a mighty and a terrible which regardeth not persons nor taketh reward 18. He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow and loveth the stranger in giving him food and raiment 19. Love ye therefore the stranger for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt 20. Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God him shalt thou serve and to him shalt thou cleave and swear by his name 21. He is thy praise and he is thy God that hath done for thee these great and terrible things which thine eyes have seen 22. Thy fathers went down into Egypt with threescore and ten persons and now the LORD thy God hath made thee as the stars of heaven for multitude 1. HEW Exod. 34.1 3. I made an Ark Or I caused it to be made For if by Ark in this place be meant the Ark of the Covenant as is very probable from verse 5. This Ark was made by Bezaleel Exod. 37.1 and not made before this going of Moses into the Mount but after he came down Exod. 34. But as Moses in this short Repetition of what was past need not strictly observe the Order of Time so he may be said to make that Ark which he commanded to be made Bezaleel made also the Table of Shittim-wood Exod. 37.10 But Moses received a Command to make it Exod. 25.23 4. Commandments Heb. Words 6. And the children of Israel took their journey from Beeroth of the children of Jaakan to Mosera This place is very difficult and the difficulties of it are several and require a distinct Consideration For First It may be inquired what Connexion there is between these words and them that go before Answer Moses having mentioned his Intercession for the Israelites when for their Sins they were in danger to be destroyed and when the Tables of the Law were broken ch 9.26 adds what the effect of this Intercession was viz. That thereby the favour of God was regained of which he gives several instances viz. The restoring the two Tables and placing them in the Ark v. 1 5. The Journeys of them which were not stopped v. 6. And that they journeyed to places well watered also v. 6 7. And though indeed Aaron died yet his Priesthood continued in Eleazar And as God gave them a token of his favour in the Ark of the Covenant so he gave them another in separating the Levites to bear that Ark c. v. 8. Secondly It may be inquired how this Journey from Beeroth of the Children of Jaakan to Mosera can be reconciled with Numb 33.31 where it 's said they departed from Moseroth and pitched in Bene-jaakan Answ Besides many other very material things which might be said towards the removing of this difficulty it is enough to say that the Israelites in their Wandrings in the Wilderness might as well here as they did elsewhere go to and fro viz. From Jaakan to Mosera and back again from Mosera to Jaakan And this supposing these places the same with those in Numbers and the place here truly rendred is all that the words do import See Numb 33.30 And then Moses here doth but insert a passage omitted in the place in the Book of Numbers There Aaron died Obj. But how can this be reconciled with Numb 20.25 28. where it is evident that Aaron died at Mount Hor Answ It is no unusual thing that one place should have different Names especially with respect to the several Parts thereof Thus Horeb and Sinai were two Names of the same Mountain Exod. 3.1 2. compared with Act. 7.30 And so might Mosera be the other Name for Hor or the Name of a Place adjoining to it 7. From thence i. e. From Beeroth of the Children of Jaakan Numb 33.32 where Horhagidgad is the same with Gudgodah here and what is here called Jotbath is called Jotbathah Numb 33.33 8. At that time Or About that time viz. After Moses came down from the Mount For this seems manifestly to referr to verse 5. the 6th and 7th Verses being here brought in by way of Parenthesis And that the words at that time do not necessarily import the very precise time but admit of a Latitude will appear from Gen. 38.1 and the Note upon that place To bear the Ark Which belonged to the Kohathites Numb 3.27 31. To stand before the LORD c. That is to attend upon the Sanctuary and be in readiness for Service 1 Chron. 23.16 And to bless in his name This was the peculiar Office of the Priests the Sons of Aaron Numb 6.23 Who were also the Sons of Levi and are so called when this peculiar Office of theirs is mentioned Deut. 21.5 And though the solemn pronouncing of the Blessing upon the People
acquiesce in their Determination Matters of Faith and meer Belief are not mentioned here much less is it in the least intimated that the Sanhedrin was to be thought Infallible 11. According to the sentence of the law These words imply the Law to be the Rule both to the Sanhedrin and to the People who were not at liberty to do what the Law did clearly forbid but were onely obliged to abide by the Determination of this great Council in these doubtfull Cases 12. Vnto the priest By Priest is meant the Priests which were of this great Council and resided at the place which God did choose Priest is put for Priests as Judge v. 9. is for the Judges of which the Council consisted The Enallage of Numbers is very frequent in the Holy Scripture 14. I will set a king over me c. This they might very lawfully do tho' their manner of doing it afterward was not without fault 1 Sam. 8.7 15. Whom the LORD thy God shall choose God being their King reserved to himself the appointment of his Vice-gerent See 1 Sam. 9.15.10.24.16.12 1 Chron. 28.4 5. 16. He shall not multiply horses c. Lest he should confide in their strength Psal 33.16 17. or upon that account entertain much commerce with Egypt 1 King 10.26 28. as it follows Hath said Or Saith There is no reason why we should render it in the Preterperfect Tense and consequently no need to suppose that Moses refers to any former express Law it is enough that God forbids their return here He was also displeased at their Inclination to return Numb 14.3 4 with v. 11. Compare Exod. 13.17 And appointed several ways by which they were to remember their deliverance thence 18. A copy of this law By which he might be instructed both to govern himself and people 20. That his heart be not lifted up The due consideration of God's Law will serve to keep Men humble in the greatest Prosperity CHAP. XVIII The ARGUMENT God is the Inheritance of the Priests and Levites The Portion of the Priests and the Share of the Levite ministring in the place which God should choose The wicked practices of the Inhabitants of Canaan are to be avoided A promise of the Messiah The Punishment of him who will not obey him as also of the false Prophet A Rule to judge a false Prophet by 1. THE priests the Levites and all the tribe of Levi shall have no part nor inheritance with Israel they shall eat the offerings of the LORD made by fire and his inheritance 2. Therefore shall they have no inheritance among their brethren the LORD is their inheritance as he hath said unto them 3. And this shall be the priest 's due from the people from them that offer a sacrifice whether it be ox or sheep and they shall give unto the priest the shoulder and the two cheeks and the maw 4. The first-fruit also of thy corn of thy wine and of thy oyl and the first of the fleece of thy sheep shalt thou give him 5. For the LORD thy God hath chosen him out of all thy tribes to stand to minister in the name of the LORD him and his sons for ever 6. And if a Levite come from any of thy gates out of all Israel where he sojourned and come with all the desire of his mind unto the place which the LORD shall choose 7. Then he shall minister in the name of the LORD his God as all his brethren the Levites do which stand there before the LORD 8. They shall have like portions to eat beside that which cometh of the sale of his patrimony 9. When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations 10. There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire or that useth divination or an observer of times or an inchanter or a witch 11. Or a charmer or a consulter with familiar spirits or a wizard or a necromancer 12. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee 13. Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God 14. For these nations which thou shalt possess hearkened unto observers of times and unto diviners but as for theâ— the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so to do 15. The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee of thy brethren like unto me unto him ye shall hearken 16. According to all that thou desiredst of the LORD thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly saying Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God neither let me see this great fire any more that I die not 17. And the LORD said unto me They have well spoken that which they have spoken 18. I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren like unto thee and will put my words in his mouth and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him 19. And it shall come to pass that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name I will require it of him 20. But the prophet which shall presume to speak a word in my name which I have not commanded him to speak or that shall speak in the name of other gods even that prophet shall die 21. And if thou say in thine heart How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken 22. When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD if the thing follow not nor come to pass that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously thou shalt not be afraid of him 1. AND his inheritance That is the Lord's Portion or Inheritance which he hath reserved for himself such were Tithes and First-fruits c. Numb 18.12 28. Upon which account the Lord is said to be their Inheritance v. 2. 3. A sacrifice That is a Peace-offering as appears by what follows of the Shoulder which does not exclude the Breast adjoining compared with Levit 7.31 32. and Levit. 10.12 and Numb 14.3 Two cheeks and the maw These are here added to the Portion of the Priests 4. First-fruit See Numb 18.12 5. To minister in the name of the LORD That is to minister or do his Office in the service which God hath appointed and required v. 7. 8. Beside that which cometh of the sale of his patrimony The Levite here is supposed to have left his Country to addict himself constantly to the Service of God And it is provided that he shall not loose by so doing And therefore he is allowed alike Portion with the other Levites which minister beside what he might upon leaving his Country have received for his House or Moveables left him by his Ancestors
might not eat of the Fruit thereof till the fifth year The three first years it was reputed as uncircumcised in the fourth year it was the Lord's and as holy and separate not to be eaten by the Owners of the Trees in the fifth year it might be eaten as that which was common food See Levit. 19.24 25. with the Notes there 10. When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight c. The Jewish Writers do frequently mention two kinds of War viz. That which was particularly commanded by God as that against the Nations which the Israelites were commanded to drive out and that which was chosen by the Jews upon just provocation or in their own defence against other People These words as well as those above referr to the latter of these two as appears from v. 15. compared with v. 5 6 7 8. and Numb 32.7 14. But the women and the little ones These are here exempted from destruction as those who were not concerned in the War nor consulted in the offer of Peace 16. Thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth And therefore here the Women and little ones were to be destroyed which was not allowed in the case above v. 14. The reason of the difference is to be fetched from God's Command and from the danger of Idolatry in sparing them as is expressed v. 18. 19. For the tree of the field is man's life to employ them in the siege The Trees that bore Fruit might not be cut down in a Siege for two reasons I. Because they afforded a support to Man's life For thou mayest eat of them II. Because they need not fear any hurt from them by sparing them as they might from Men whom they saved alive And according to this sense the words may be thus rendred For is the tree of the field a man or as a man to go before thee in the siege q. d. Thou needest not apprehend any danger from sparing these Trees which can make no resistance against thee This Interpretation besides that it agrees well with the Hebrew which our rendring supposes very Elliptical so it agrees with the Ancient Versions of the Vulgar the Greek the Chaldee c. and with Josephus Antiq. l. iv c. viii and Philo the Jew Lib. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 where speaking of this Law he says It was unjust to turn the War which was undertaken against Men upon those things that are faultless c. and presently afterward 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. i. e. It is not fit to war against those things which can make no resistance c. CHAP. XXI The ARGUMENT The Expiation of an uncertain Murther The usage of a Captive Woman taken to wife The First-born may not be deprived of his right The punishment of a Rebellious Son A Law concerning a Malefactor hanged on a Tree 1. IF one be found slain in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it lying in the field and it be not known who hath slain him 2. Then thy elders and thy judges shall come forth and they shall measure unto the cities which are round about him that is slain 3. And it shall be that the city which is next unto the slain man even the elders of that city shall take an heifer which hath not been wrought with and which hath not drawn in the yoke 4. And the elders of that city shall bring down the heifer unto a rough valley which is neither eared nor sown and shall strike off the heifer's neck there in the valley 5. And the priests the sons of Levi shall come near for them the LORD thy God hath chosen to minister unto him and to bless in the name of the LORD and by their word shall every controversie and every stroke be tried 6. And all the elders of that city that are next unto the slain man shall wash their hands over the heifer that is beheaded in the valley 7. And they shall answer and say Our hands have not shed this blood neither have our eyes seen it 8. Be mercifull O LORD unto thy people Israel whom thou hast redeemed and lay not innocent blood unto thy people of Israels charge And the blood shall be forgiven them 9. So shalt thou put away the guilt of innocent blood from among you when thou shalt do that which is right in the sight of the LORD 10. When thou goest forth to war against thine enemies and the LORD thy God hath delivered them into thine hands and thou hast taken them captive 11. And seest among the captives a beautifull woman and hast a desire unto her that thou wouldest have her to thy wife 12. Then thou shalt bring her home to thine house and she shall shave her head and pare her nails 13. And she shall put the raiment of her captivity from off her and shall remain in thine house and bewail her father and her mother a full month and after that thou shalt go in unto her and be her husband and she shall be thy wife 14. And it shall be if thou have no delight in her then thou shalt let her go whither she will but thou shalt not sell her at all for money thou shalt not make merchandise of her because thou hast humbled her 15. If a man have two wives one beloved and another hated and they have born him children both the beloved and the hated and if the first-born son be hers that was hated 16. Then it shall be when he maketh his sons to inherit that which he hath that he may not make the son of the beloved first-born before the son of the hated which is indeed the first-born 17. But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the first-born by giving him a double portion of all that he hath for he is the beginning of his strength the right of the first-born is his 18. If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son which will not obey the voice of his father or the voice of his mother and that when they have chastned him will not hearken unto them 19. Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him and bring him out unto the elders of his city and unto the gate of his place 20. And they shall say unto the elders of his city This our son is stubborn and rebellious he will not obey our voice he is a glutton and a drunkard 21. And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones that he die so shalt thou put evil away from among you and all Israel shall hear and fear 22. And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death and he be to be put to death and thou hang him on a tree 23. His body shall not remain all night upon the tree but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day for he that is hanged is accursed of God that thy land be not defiled which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an
That is thou shalt be prosperous whether thou livest in the City and followest the Imployment of Citizens or in the Country and art imployed in Country Affairs such as Plowing and Sowing and breeding of Cattel c. 4. Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body i. e. Thou shalt be prosperous and happy in thy Children This Blessing does in common concern those of a City and of the Country whereas those which follow do relate especially to them who lead a Country life 5. Blessed c. That is thy Basket and other Receptacles of thy encrease shall be replenished and thou shalt have abundance 6. Blessed c. That is thou shalt be blessed in all thy Undertakings safe in thy Dwellings and in thy Journeys 9. Shall establish thee an holy people unto himself That is he will own thee before all the World for a separate and peculiar People 10. That thou art called by the name of the LORD i. e. Thou art a peculiar People of the Lord's 12. His good treasure i. e. The Heaven as it follows or the lower Heaven This is called the treasure of snow and hail Job 38.22 and of the rain in this place 20. Cursing vexation and rebuke The first of these words is more general and imports adversity But vexation seems to denote the disquiet of Mind under it and rebuke the disappointment and unsuccessfulness which do attend upon it as it follows in all that thou settest thine hand unto 22. And with blasting and with mildew These two are the plagues of Corn with which Men are nourished 1 King 8.37 in which they may be said to be smitten when their Food is thus corrupted 23. Thy heaven that is over thy head c. That is though God send Rain upon other Countries yet he will restrain it from thy Land Levit. 26.19 24. The LORD c. That is instead of Rain thy Land shall be filled with Dust 28. Madness i. e. With distraction that thou shalt not be able to consult wisely Blindness Or ignorance of fit means to be used see v. 29. for that it is to be understood of such Blindness is evident from what follows not onely in the next Verse but from v. 31. and v. 34. 36. Thee and thy king This was fulfilled in the Captivity of Babylon 2 Chron. 36 6. And there shalt thou serve c. Either by choice or by constraint See Jer. 44.17 18 19. Dan. 3.6 37. An astonishment i. e. So great shall thy plagues be that the Beholders thereof shall be astonished See 1 King 9.7 A proverb and a by-word i. e. A common subject of reproach and scorn 43. The stranger c. Not only their Foreign Enemies should prevail over them but those who lived among them by permission and were in a condition much inferior to them shall prosper when they themselves shall decline 46. They shall be upon thee for a sign and for a wonder i. e. These Curses shall not appear like the common afflictions and miseries which fall upon Mankind but they shall be very signal and wonderfull and such as shall draw Men's Eyes after them as things very extraordinary 48. Therefore c. This is highly just that they who refuse the service of God should be Slaves to their Enemies See 2 Chron. 12.8 and instead of the easie yoke of God's Law should be put under a yoke of Iron 49. A nation against thee from far It is very probable from what follows that this referrs to the Romans to whom the Jews were subject under their second Temple and by whom their City and Temple and People were destroyed in the days of Vespasian and Titus 52. He shall besiege thee Of this see Josephus's History of the Jewish War 53. The fruit of thine own body Of this also see Josephus 58. Name The Name of God is God himself and so it is here for it follows The LORD thy God 64. Scatter thee c. It is a great Addition to the Misery of Exiles that they are dispersed from each other and this hath been remarkably the Lot of the Jews Which neither thou nor thy fathers have known This is not said v. 36. and the reason of the Difference seems to be this that though they did know the Gods of Babylon which was nearer to them they did not know those of the Romans at a greater Distance 66. Hang in doubt viz. It shall be at the pleasure of thine Enemies amongst whom thou art 67. In the morning c. That is thou shalt be restless weary of the Day in which thou beholdest grievous Objects and of the Darkness of the Night in which thou fearest an unseen Danger 68. Egypt Where we find Numbers of them when they were subdued by the Romans Joseph Jewish Wars l. 7. By the way Or To the way i. e. Egypt Compare Deut. 17.16 And no man shall buy you So vile they will be that though exposed to sale and some of them sold yet the Market will be overstocked and glutted with them CHAP. XXIX The ARGUMENT Moses minds the Israelites of the Works of God which they had seen and thence exhorts them to Obedience All are to enter into Covenant with God The Wrath of God against him who should flatter himself in an Evil way The Miseries which their Disobedience would bring upon them Secret things belong unto God 1. THese are the words of the covenant which the LORD commanded Moses to make with the children of Israel in the land of Moab beside the covenant which he made with them in Horeb. 2. And Moses called unto all Israel and said unto them Ye have seen all that the LORD did before your eyes in the land of Egypt unto Pharaoh and unto all his servants and unto all his land 3. The great temptations which thine eyes have seen the signs and those great miracles 4. Yet the LORD hath not given you an heart to perceive and eyes to see and ears to hear unto this day 5. And I have led you forty years in the wilderness your clothes are not waxen old upon you and thy shooe is not waxen old upon thy foot 6. Ye have not eaten bread neither have ye drunk wine or strong drink that ye might know that I am the LORD your God 7. And when ye came unto this place Sihon the king of Heshbon and Og the king of Bashan came out against us unto battel and we smote them 8. And we took their land and gave it for an inheritance unto the Reubenites and to the Gadites and to the half tribe of Manasseh 9. Keep therefore the words of this covenant and do them that ye may prosper in all that ye do 10. Ye stand this day all of you before the LORD your God your captains of your tribes your elders and your officers with all the men of Israel 11. Your little ones your wives and thy stranger that is in thy camp from the hewer of thy wood unto the drawer of to
water 12. That thou shouldest enter into covenant with the LORD thy God and into his oath which the LORD thy God maketh with thee this day 13. That he may establish thee to day for a people unto himself and that he may be unto thee a God as he hath said unto thee and as he hath sworn unto thy fathers to Abraham to Isaac and to Jacob. 14. Neither with you onely do I make this covenant and this oath 15. But with him that standeth here with us this day before the LORD our God and also with him that is not here with us this day 16. For ye know how we have dwelt in the land of Egypt and how we came through the nations which ye passed by 17. And ye have seen their abominations and their idols wood and stone silver and gold which were among them 18. Lest there should be among you man or woman or family or tribe whose heart turneth away this day from the LORD our God to go and serve the gods of these nations lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood 19. And it come to pass when he heareth the words of this curse that he bless himself in his heart saying I shall have peace though I walk in the imagination of mine heart to add drankenness to thirst 20. The LORD will not spare him but then the anger of the LORD and his jealousie shall smoke against that man and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him and the LORD shall blot out his name from under heavâ—â— 21. And the LORD shall separate him unto evil out of all the tribes of Israel according to all the curses of the covenant that are written in this book of the law 22. So that the generation to come of your children that shall rise up after you and the stranger that shall come from a fâ—â— land shall say when they see the plagues of that land and the sicknesses which the LORD hath laid upon it 23. And that the whole land thereof is brimstone and salt and burning that it is not sown nor beareth nor any grass groweth therein like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah Admah and Zeboim which the LORD overthrew in his anger and in his wrath 24. Even all nations shall say Wherefore hath the LORD done thus unto this land What meaneth the heat of this great anger 25. Then men shall say Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD God of their fathers which he made with them where he brought them forth out of the land of Egypt 26. For they went and served other gods and worshipped them gods whom they knew not and whom he had not given unto them 27. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against this land to bring upon it all the curses that are written in this book 28. And the LORD rooted them out of their land in anger and in wrath and in great indignation and cast them into another land as it is this day 29. The secret things belong unto the LORD our God but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for even that we may do all the words of this law 1. BEside the covenant which he made with them in Horeb. This is the same Covenant with that in Horeb But because they had broken that and because they are now just entring into the promised Land and Moses had given them a more full Explication of the Law and was ready to die he renews the Covenant which they had before entred into 4. Yet the LORD hath not given you an heart to perceive and eyes to see c. That is God hath thought fit for your Sins and Provocations to leave you to your own Stupidity and Blindness of Heart God had done great things for them In his love and in his pity he redeemed c. But they rebelled and vexed his holy Spirit Isa 63.9 10. And that they were utterly inexcusable will appear from what follows v. 5 6 7. In which words we are told that God took great care of them that they might be at leisure to consider For they were not distracted with the cares for Food and Raiment c. God having made a great and miraculous Provision for them 6. Bread i. e. Bread which required not any labour of plowing or sowing of threshing and grinding c. But Manna from Heaven prepared ready to your Hands Wine or strong Drink These would have required some considerable Pains Instead of that they were supplied with Water which followed them 7. We smote them We were not enfeebled for want of Wine and strong Drink nor left without the Divine Assistance 10. All of you They were all concerned and therefore all stood ready to renew their Covenant 11. The hewr c. i. e. The meanest Servant Jos 9.27 12. And into his Oath What is rendred Oath signifies rather a Curse which was generally annexed to an Oath See the LXXII and v. 19 20. And because this Covenant had Curses annexed which were solemnly denounced against Transgressours Chap. 27.14 15. The entring into Covenant and into the Curse in case of failure are here conjoined Nehem. 10.29 15. With him that is not here i. e. With your Posterity The promise was to Abraham and his Seed 16 17. These two Verses contain Motives to incline them to enter into Covenant with God viz. Both because God had brought them out of Egypt and throuh other Nations and because they had had the opportunity of discerning the Folly of these People in worshipping Idols which cannot help them 18. Lest there should be c. These words connect with that Declaration which God makes in order to prevent the Sinner's flattering himself in an Evil way v. 20. We may find a like Expression Gen. 3.22 23. A root that beareth gall and wormwood That is an Evil principle called an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God Heb. 3.12 which will infect and poison the Mind and produce the Curses denounced which will be very bitter Compare Act. 8.23 Heb. 12.15 19. To add drunkenness to thirst That is to abound in all manner of Wickedness To add sin to sin Isa 30.1 And drink it up like water Job 34.7 which course of Wickedness does but begâ—t a greater Inclination to do wickedly still As Drunkenness does not 〈◊〉 but increase the Thirst Isa 56.12 20. Blot out his name i. e. Destroy him For Name is frequently put for the person to whom that Name does belong as hath been observed 21. Shall separate him unto Evil c. Whereas such a Sinner may think to escape in a Crowd and flatter himself that the Blessings promised to God's People among whom he lives shall be his Portion he shall be singled out and rendred a Monument of God's Displeasure 23. Burning i. e. Parched and dried up and made barren Psal 107.34 26. He had not given unto them See
and the Preserver of thy Life And so he is of thy Prosperity which Life sometimes signifies see v. 19. and all the Comforts of Life CHAP. XXXI The ARGUMENT Moses does greatly encourage the Israelites and Joshua their Leader Moses delivers a Copy of the Law to the Priests with a command to read it every seventh Year God foretells the Apostacy of the Israelites and declares his displeasure thereupon He appoints a Song as a witness against them He encourageth Joshua The Law to be put into the Ark. Moses foretells the Apostacy of the Israelites 1. AND Moses went and spake these words unto all Israel 2. And he said unto them I am an hundred and twenty years old this day I can no more go out and come in also the LORD hath said unto me Thou shalt not go over this Jordan 3. The LORD thy God he will go over before thee and he will destroy these nations from before thee and thou shalt possess them and Joshua he shall go over before thee as the LORD hath said 4. And the LORD shall do unto them as he did to Sihon and to Og kings of the Amorites and unto the land of them whom he destroyed 5. And the LORD shall give them up before your face that ye may do unto them according unto all the commandments which I have commanded you 6. Be strong and of a good courage fear not nor be afraid of them for the LORD thy God he it is that doth go with thee he will not fail thee nor forsake thee 7. And Moses called unto Joshua and said unto him in the sight of all Israel Be strong and of a good courage for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them and thou shalt cause them to inherit it 8. And the LORD he it is that doth go before thee he will be with thee he will not fail thee neither forsake thee fear not neither be dismayed 9. And Moses wrote this Law and delivered it unto the priests the sons of Levi which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD and unto all the elders of Israel 10. And Moses commanded them saying At the end of every seven years in the solemnity of the year of release in the feast of tabernacles 11. When all Israel is come to appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing 12. Gather the people together men and women and children and thy stranger that is within thy gates that they may hear and that they may learn and fear the LORD your God and observe to do all the words of this law 13. And that their children which have not known any thing may hear and learn to fear the LORD your God as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it 14. And the LORD said unto Moses Behold thy days approach that thou must die call Joshua and present your selves in the tabernacle of the congregation that I may give him a charge And Moses and Joshua went and presented themselves in the tabernacle of the congregation 15. And the LORD appeared in the tabernacle in a pillar of a cloud and the pillar of the cloud stood over the door of the tabernacle 16. And the LORD said unto Moses Behold thou shalt sleep with thy fathers and this people will rise up and go a whoring after the gods of the strangers of the land whither they go to be among them and will forsake me and break my covenant which I have made with them 17. Then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day and I will forsake them and I will hide my face from them and they shall be devoured and many evils and troubles shall befall them so that they will say in that day Are not these evils come upon us because our God is not amongst us 18. And I will surely hide my face in that day for all the evils which they shall have wrought in that they are turned unto other gods 19. Now therefore write ye this song for you and teach it the children of Israel put it in their mouths that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel 20. For when I shall have brought them into the land which I sware unto their fathers that floweth with milk and honey and they shall have eaten and filled themselves and waxen fat then will they turn unto other gods and serve them and provoke me and break my covenant 21. And it shall come to pass when many evils and troubles are befallen them that this song shall testifie against them as a witness for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed for I know their imagination which they go about even now before I have brought them into the land which I sware 22. Moses therefore wrote this song the same day and taught it the children of Israel 23. And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge and said Be strong and of a good courage for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them and I will be with thee 24. And it came to pass when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book until they were finished 25. That Moses commanded the Levites which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD saying 26. Take this book of the law and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God that it may be there for a witness against thee 27. For I know thy rebellion and thy stiff neck behold while I am yet alive with you this day ye have been rebellious against the LORD and how much more after my death 28. Gather unto me all the elders of your tribes and your officers that I may speak these words in their ears and call heaven and earth to record against them 29. For I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt your selves and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you and evil will befall you in the latter days because ye will do evil in the sight of the LORD to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands 30. And Moses spake in the ears of all the congregation of Israel the words of this song until they were ended 2. I can no more go out and come in See the Note on Numb 27.17 The strength of Moses was at present vigorous chap. 34.7 but he could not think it could last long besides this God had declared that he should not go over Jordan as it follows here 9. This law i. e. The whole body of it Vnto the priests the sons of Levi which bare the ark c. The fairest account of these words and the most unexceptionable is this That there is here an Ellipsis of
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
It was the custom to set out proper and peculiar Inheritances by a Cord or Line and hence this Cord sometimes signifies the Inheritance set out by it and the Cord of an Inheritance signifies a separate and peculiar Inheritance or Portions of Land Josh 17.5 Amos 7.17 Zech. 2.1 2. and Psal 16.5 6. 10. He that is God found him It is to be considered for the better apprehending the sense of the place that the Hebrew word which is translated found signifies not onely to find but to suffice or to provide sufficiently for as appears from Numb 11.22 and Josh 17.16 And this latter sense of the word agrees best with the Context here For it cannot so properly be said that God found the Israelites in the Desart as that he sustained them and provided sufficiently for them there Besides that both the Greek and the Chaldee render this place in this latter sense of the words Compare what is elsewhere said to this purpose ch 8.15 Jer. 2.6 Hos 13.5 He led him about The reading in the Margent he compassed him about agrees exactly with the Greek as well as with the Hebrew Text and better with the Context and scope of the words than what is retained in the Text Psal 32.7 and it speaks the great protection on every side which the Israelites received from God in the Wilderness He instructed him This God did by giving his Law to the Israelites in the Wilderness He kept him as the apple of his eye That is as the sight of the Eye is by God's Care and wise Providence fenced about and preserved from harm by the Eye-lids by its deep situation and by several other means so did he preserve in the Wilderness Israel from harm and danger 11. As an eagle c. The care of God over the Israelites is well compared to that of an Eagle towards her young when she does by her voice stir them up hover over them cover them bear and defend them by her strength and for the preservation whereof she is fitted by the quickness of her Eye in espying danger by her inclination to her young by her swiftness and great strength Compare Exod. 19.4 Isa 46.3 4. Rev. 12.14 12. Alone i. e. Without the help of any strange God as it follows At the commandment of the Lord they rested in their tents and at the commandment of the Lord they journeyed Numb 9.23 13. He made him ride on the high places of the earth or land That is he gave him the good Land which for its situation its strength or fruitfulness being called the high places of the land conformably thereunto God is said to have made him ride on them when he gave it him in possession Isa 58.14 To suck honey out of the rock c. These words give us a farther account of the fruitfulness of this Land the Fields whereof did not onely yield an increase but the Rocky and steep places which generally are barren afforded Honey and Oyl This was a Land of Hills and Valleys Deut. 11.11 14. With fat of lambs There is a two fold fat The fat of the inwards of a Beast that was allowed to be offered or the Suet this was to be offered up upon the Altar and by no means to be eaten But then there was the fat that was mingled and interspersed with the rest of the Flesh which not being appropriated to the Altar might lawfully be eaten Levit. 3.9 with Levit. 7.23 By the fat of Lambs in this place is meant fatted or well-fed Lambs Of the breed of Bashan i. e. Of the fairest and best kind Bashan was a place famous for Cattel Numb 32.4 33. The fat of kidneys of wheat i. e. The finest and plumpest Wheat Psal 81.16 The Kidneys of Wheat is but a Metaphorical Expression there being some resemblance between the figure of that Grain and the Kidneys Blood of the grape Or Red Wine which in colour is like Blood Isa 27.2 15. Jeshurun waxed fat c. That is Israel grew rich c. Jeshurun comes from a word that signifies Vpright and it is evident that it is put for Israel who was under great obligations to be upright but instead thereof in his prosperity rebelled against God as a pampered Horse kicks The rock of his salvation i. e. God his strong and mighty Saviour and Deliverer 16. They provoked him to jealousie with strange gods i. e. With their Idolatry they made him Jealous or very angry Exod. 20.5 chap. 34.14 This the Israelites frequently did Psal 78.58 1 King 14.22 17. They sacrificed unto devils Whatever pretext they might have for their Idolatry when they sacrificed they did it unto Devils the wasters and destroyers of Mankind and not unto God their Saviour 2 Chron. 11.15 They sacrificed their sons and daughters unto devils and shed innocent blood even the blood of their sons and of their daughters whom they sacrificed unto the Idols of Canaan Psal 106.37 38. And the Gentiles also in their Sacrifices to Idols sacrificed to Devils and when they did pertake of those Sacrifices they did communicate with Devils 1 Cor. 10.20 21. Whom they knew not Or Who knew not them as the words may be rendred They had received no Benefits by them as they had from the Lord the God of Israel Hos 13.15 19. Because of the provoking of his sons and of his daughters That is because his Children called here his Sons and Daughters had provoked him or stirred up his Anger to which sense the Vulgar and the Chaldee render the words Daughters are here expressly named because the Women were notoriously guilty of provoking God by their Idolatry Thus we read The women knead their dough to make cakes to the queen of heaven and to pour out drink-offerings unto other gods that they may provoke me to anger Jer. 7.18 And again The Women burn incense to other gods Jer. 44.15 And the women sat weeping for Tammuz Ezek. 8.14 20. I will see what their end shall be I will discover by this course what shall become of them or what shall happen to them at the last for their provocations To this sense the Greek render the words 21. With that which is not God i. e. With Idols presently afterward called Vanities because they are nothing 1 Cor. 8.4 and consequently are not able to help their Worshippers 1 Sam. 12.21 1 King 16.13 I will move them to jealousie with those which are not a people c. The meaning is that God would by a people that was not peculiar to him as the Israelites were provoke them to Jealousie And this God fulfilled by delivering them to the Assyrians Chaldaeans and their other Enemies who were none of his People and by rejecting them and taking the Gentiles into his favour and into the Church of Christ Rom. 11.14 And to this purpose the Apostle applies the words of the Prophet I will call them my people which were not my people Rom. 9.25 This did greatly provoke the Jews
not again 12. And of Benjamin he said The beloved of the LORD shall dwell in safety by him and the LORD shall cover him all the day long and he shall dwell between his shoulders 13. And of Joseph he said Blessed of the LORD be his land for the precious things of heaven for the dew and for the deep that coucheth beneath 14. And for the precious fruits brought forth by the sun and for the precious things put forth by the moon 15. And for the chief things of the ancient mountains and for the precious things of the lasting hills 16. And for the precious things of the earth and fulness thereof and for the good will of him that dwelt in the Bush let the blessing come upon the head of Joseph and upon the top of the head of him that was separated from his brethren 17. His glory is like the firstling of his bullock and his horns are like the horns of unicorns with them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earth and they are the ten thousands of Ephraim and they are the thousands of Manasseh 18. And of Zebulun he said Rejoice Zebulun in thy going out and Issachar in thy tents 19. They shall call the people unto the mountain there they shall offer sacrifices of righteousness for they shall suck of the abundance of the seas and of treasures hid in the sand 20. And of Gad he said Blessed be he that enlargeth Gad he dwelleth as a lion and teareth the arm with the crown of the head 21. And he provided the first part for himself because there in a portion of the law-giver was he seated and he came with the heads of the people he executed the Justice of the LORD and his judgments with Israel 22. And of Dan he said Dan is a lion's whelp he shall leap from Bashan 23. And of Naphtali he said O Naphtali satisfied with favour and full with the blessing of the LORD possess thou the west and the south 24. And of Asher he said Let Asher be blessed with children let him be acceptable to his brethren and let him dip his foot in oyl 25. Thy shooes shall be iron and brass and as thy days so shall thy strength be 26. There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun who rideth upon the heaven in thy help and in his excellency on the skie 27. The eternal God is thy refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee and shall say Destroy them 28. Israel then shall dwell in safety alone the fountain of Jacob shall be upon a land of corn and wine also his heavens shall drop down dew 29. Happy art thou O Israel who is like unto thee O people saved by the LORD the shield of thy help and who is the sword of thy excellency and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee and thou shalt tread upon their high places 1. THE man of God That is the Prophet of the LORD as the Chaldee renders it See 1 Sam. 9.6 And the Title to the ninetieth Psalm Blessed i. e. He did pronounce and predict the following Blessings upon the several Tribes of Israel and pray to God to bestow them Compare v. 6 7. 2. And he said the LORD came from Sinai c. Before he proceeds to bless the several Tribes he premises an Account of God's special Favour to the whole Body of the People The LORD came from Sinai i. e. He revealed himself as the Chaldee well explains this Place from Sinai where he gave his Law and revealed his Will and Pleasure to them Rose up It is to be considered that what we render rose up is in the Hebrew expressed by a word which peculiarly signifies such a rising up as that of the Sun in the Morning And is the same word which is used where it is said Vnto you that fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise Malach. 4.2 It might have been rendered appeared as it is by the vulgar and signifies a splendid or glorious Appearance Compare Hab. 3.3 4. From Seir That is Idumaea by which the Israelites passed The meaning is that as God revealed himself from Sinai when he gave them his Law So he did after that as they passed on by Seir and Paran give them evident Proofs of his Presence with them and special Providence over them Mount Paran Paran is the Name of a Wilderness by which the Israelites passed Deut. 1.1 This Mount either denotes some particular Mountain so called or intimates the Mountainous part of that Wilderness He came with ten thousands of Saints That is when God revealed himself from Sinai and gave his Law he was attended with a great Number of holy Angels The chariots of God are twenty thousand even thousands of Angels the LORD is among them as in Sinai Psal 68.17 Compare Dan. 7.10 Rev. 5.11 Well might Stephen say that the Law was received by the disposition of Angels Acts 7.53 and St. Paul that it was ordained by Angels in the hand of a Mediator Gal. 3.19 It is elsewhere called the word spoken by Angels Heb 2.2 From his right hand went a fiery Law i. e. He gave as Men do when with their Right-hands they deliver their Gifts a fiery Law The Law given at Mount Sinai is called a fiery Law because God spake the Words thereof out of the midst of the fire Deut. 5.22 Compare Exod. 19.18 as also Psalm 104.4 with Gal. 3.19 3. The people i. e all the Tribes of Israel All his saints are in thy hand He hath a special care of the Israelites that Holy Nation Exod. 19.6 who sat at his Feet compare Luk. 10.39 Act. 22.3 and promised Subjection and Obedience to him Exod. 24. 4. Inheritance A possession of great value and such an one as was to descend to their Posterity Thy testimonies have I taken as an Heritage for ever for they are the rejoicing of my heart Psal 119.111 5. He was king i. e. Moses was a Prince or Governour he gave Laws and ruled the People 6. Let Reuben live c. q. d. Though Reuben have lost his Birth-right for his Incest and thereupon fell into his Father's displeasure Gen. 49.4 and some of his Sons were guilty of Rebellion Numb 16.1 yet let not his Posterity cease to be a distinct and prosperous Tribe And whereas they have engaged upon receiving their Inheritance on this side Jordan to leave their Wives and Children there and to expose themselves to the hazzard of War with their Brethren Numb 32.26 27. let none of them that stay behind or pass over Jordan perish but let their intire number be preserved 7. Hear LORD the voice of Judah c. Whereas Judah's Hand is to be in the Neck of his Enemies Gen. 49.8 and he is to be the first that is to fight against the Canaanites after the death of Joshua Judg. 1.1 and will consequently be exposed to danger in his
Expeditions Hear his voice O Lord when in his distress he shall call upon thee and bring him safely back from the Wars to his own People Strengthen his hands O Lord and save him from his Enemies It hath been thought that Simeon is here included though he be not expressed And that may the more reasonably be supposed because not onely Simeon's Inheritance was within the Inheritance of Judah Josh 19.1 but he was also joined with Judah in those Wars against the Canaanites in which the Divine Aid is implored for Judah here in those Words Hear Lord which words import the reason of Simeon's Name Compare Gen. 29.33 8. Let thy Thummim and thy Vrim be with thy holy one The Vrim and the Thummim were placed in the Breast-plate and this Breast-plate was appropriate to Aaron and to the succeeding High-Priests the Sons of Aaron Exod. 28.30 and the meaning of these words is q. d. Let the great Dignity of the High-Priesthood continue in the Posterity of Aaron who was of this Tribe of Levi and dignified with this separate and holy Office Whom thou didst prove at Massah viz. Whom thou hast sufficiently tried and proved Massah signifies Trial or Proof and is not a proper Name And the words may be rendred Whom in proving thou didst prove And this Sense is confirmed by the Greek Vulgar Latin and Chaldee and Syriac and the Hebrew Text narrowly considered gives great ground to preferr this Sense Because the Particle here which we have translated as signifies in and is not the same which we translate at in the following Words Thou didst strive i. e. Whom thou didst punish or chastise as that Hebrew word does signifie Isa 49.25 Jer. 2.9 but not deprive of the Dignity of the Priesthood At the waters of Meribah See Numb 20.13 9. Who said c. Which Tribe of Levi in that general Defection Exod. 32. did upon God's Command without all respect of persons or favour to their nearest Relations slay those who had been guilty of Idolatry v. 28 29. They have observed c. Compare Mal. 2.5 6. and Psal 99.7 10. They shall teach c. That is the Priests the Levites Compare Ezek. 44.23 24. Levit. 10.11 11. His substance That is his Store Compare Deut. 8.18 He had no Inheritance but yet had his Provisions allotted him by God 12. The beloved of the LORD shall dwell in safety by him i. e. Benjamin favoured of God shall have his Inheritance in a safe place viz. about Jerusalem the Holy City and the Temple or Place of God's special Residence among the Israelites Compare Josh 18.11 28. He shall dwell between his shoulders i. e. His Temple shall be situated in his land as the Chaldee renders the last Words Compare Numb 34.11 and Josh 15.10 13. For the deep c. i. e. for the Springs in the lower Parts of the Land 14. Brought forth Or ripened By the Moon Or Monthly 15. Lasting hills See the Note on Gen. 49.26 16. Of him that dwelt in the bush That is Of God who appeared in the Bush to Moses Exod 3.2 17. Like the firstling of his bullock viz. for Strength and Power See Ps 68.9 The ten thousands c. Gen. 48.19 18. Rejoice Zebulun c. See the Notes on Gen. 49. v. 13. and v. 15. 19. Vnto the mountain viz. Of God's House as appears from the following words Compare Isa 2.2 3. Sacrifices of righteousness i. e. Sacrifices of Praise and Thanksgiving for the abundance of all things Compare Ps 4.5 with Psal 50.14 and 51.19 They shall suck i. e. They shall by their Traffick and Merchandise get great Riches which is expressed by the abundance of the Seas and treasures hid in the Sand Because their Wealth came to them from the Seas into their Ports or Sea-shoars 20. That enlargeth Gad That is who hath given him a large possession and will deliver him out of his straits See the Note on Gen. 49.19 As a lion and teareth c. These words speak his great Courage and Conquest over the Power of his Enemies Of both which see 1 Chron. 12.8 and 1 Chron. 5.8 with v. 19 20 21 22. 21. He provided the first part for himself That is he chose his Inheritance with the first on this side Jordan Numb 32.1 Portion of the Lawgiver i. e. That part of the Country which Moses the Lawgiver entred upon and which he divided Numb 32.33 Seated Heb. Cieled or hid They were protected in fenced Cities which they built for the security for their Wives and Children Num. 32.34 35 36. And he came c. That is after he had made provision for the safety of his Family and Cattel he accompanied the Leaders and Captains of the People and assisted them in conquering the Land and destroying the Inhabitants who were justly by God devoted to destruction Josh 1.14 22. Dan is a lion's whelp he shall leap from Bashan i. e. Dan is nimble and ready for Prey like a young Lion from Bashan a place of Flocks and Cattel that skips at the Lambs or other prey 23. Possess thou the west and the south His Tribe lay North and East but yet he was so situated that by Zebulun who lay next him and upon the Coast of the great Sea he could easily be possessed of the Commodities of the Sea which we here translate West Again lying upon the River Jordan Josh 19.33 he had the advantage of enjoying those Commodities which came down that River from the Southern parts of the Land 24. Dip his foot in oyl i. e. He shall have plenty of Oyl Compare Job 29.6 and Gen. 49.20 25. Thy shooes shall be iron c. Or under thy feet shall be iron Compare Deut. 8.9 As thy days so shall thy strength be i. e. Thy strength shall bear proportion to thy days That shall be great and they shall be many 26. Who rideth upon the heaven in thy help i. e. He does dispose the Heavens above for thy aid and assistance which he affords thee readily From the Clouds he sends Thunder and Lightning Hail and Tempest to the discomfiting his People's Enemies Thus had God done Exod. 9.23 and thus did he do afterward Josh 10.10 11. Compare Psal 18.9 10. In his excellency c. See Psal 68.33 34. 28. The fountain of Jacob i. e. Jacob's Posterity that came from him as from a Fountain which is here put for the Streams as in Psal 104.10 Compare Psal 68.26 and Isai 48.1 29. The sword of thy excellency i. e. It is not thy own Sword hath gotten thee the Victory and thy Renown but God's Assistance Thine enemies c. Such shall be thy Conquests and Success over the Power called here the high places of thine Enemies that they who are such shall yet not own their Enmity but at least yield a feigned subjection to thee Compare Deut. 32.13 Psal 44.18 and 66.3 CHAP. XXXIV The ARGUMENT Moses goeth up unto Mount Nebo and takes a view of the Land from thence He dieth there Of his Burial and Age and the time which the People mourned for him Joshua succeeds him Moses commended 1. AND Moses went up from the plains of Moab unto the mountain of Nebo to the top of Pisgah that is over against Jericho and the LORD shewed him all the land of Gilead unto Dan. 2. And all Naphtali and the land of Ephraim and Manasseh and all the land of Judah unto the utmost sea 3. And the south and the plain of the valley of Jericho the city of palm-trees unto Zoar. 4. And the LORD said unto him This is the land which I sware unto Abraham unto Isaac and unto Jacob saying I will give it unto thy seed I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes but thou shalt not go over thither 5. So Moses the servant of the the LORD died there in the land of Moab according to the word of the LORD 6. And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab over against Beth-Peor but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day 7. And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died his eye was not dim nor his natural force abated 8. And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days so the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended 9. And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom for Moses had laid his hands upon him and the children of Israel hearkened unto him and did as the LORD commanded Moses 10. And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses whom the LORD knew face to face 11. In all the signs and the wonders which the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land 12. And in all that mighty hand and in all the great terror which Moses shewed in the sight of all Israel 1. ALL the land of Gilead unto Dan i. e. The Land of Gilead on this side Jordan unto a place called afterwards Dan in the Northern Border of the Land of Canaan Josh 19.47 Judg. 18.29 2. Vtmost sea That is the Mediterranean-sea the Western Border of the Land See Deut. 11.24 5 According to the word c. That is as God had foretold he should 6. He buried him That is the Lord buried him by the Ministry of Angels or at least without imploying any of the Israelites therein Compare Gen. 7.16 No man knoweth of his sepulchre c. That there might be no occasion of Idolatry or Superstition given to the Israelites 8. Thirty days Compare Numb 20.29 9. Wisdom This is here mentioned as that which is very necessary in a Governour of others Compare 1 King 3.9 For Moses had laid his hands upon him The laying of the Hands of Moses is not brought in as a cause but as a sign of Joshua's Wisdom For Moses laid his Hands on him by God's direction and to make it known that he was the person appointed and fitted by God for the Employment he was called to Take thee Joshua the son of Nun a man in whom is the spirit and lay thine hands upon him Numb 27.18 10. There arose not a prophet c. See Numb 12.8 FINIS