for Sodom and in so doing and so frequently expressed a great Charity toward that sinfull people 26. I will spare This is an act of grace and favour God does not make it a Law to himself for the future Ezek. 14.18 33. The Lord went his way Or disappeared The glory of the Lord says the Chaldee See the Note on ch 17. v. 23. His place i. e. To the Plains of Mamre where the Lord is said to have appeared unto him v. 1. CHAP. XIX The ARGUMENT Lot entertains two Angels The wicked Sodomites are stricken with blindness Lot warns his Sons-in-law to quit Sodom who despise his admonition Lot with his Wife and Daughters is brought out of Sodom and escapes to Zoar. Sodom and Gomorrah are destroyed Lot's Wife becomes a Pillar of Salt The incestuous Original of Moab and Ammon 1. AND there came two angels to Sodom at even and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground 2. And he said Behold now my lords turn in I pray you into your sâ—â—vants house and tarry all night â—â—d wash your feet and ye shall riâ—â— up early and go on your ways And they said Nay but we will abide in the street all night 3. And he pressed upon them greatly and they turned in unto him and entred into his house and he made them a feast and did bake unleavened bread and they did eat 4. But before they lay down the men of the city even the men of Sodom compassed the house round both old and young all the people from every quarter 5. And they called unto Lot and said unto him Where are the men which came in to thee this night bring them out unto us that we may know them 6. And Lot went out at the door unto them and shut the door after him 7. And said I pray you brethren do not so wickedly 8. Behold now I have two daughters which have not known man let me I pray you bring them out unto you and do ye to them as is good in your eyes only unto these men do nothing for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof 9. And they said Stand back And they said again This one fellow came in to sojourn and he will needs be a judge Now will we deal worse with thee then with them And they pressed sore upon the man even Lot and came near to break the door 10. But the men put forth their hand and pulled Lot into the house to them and shut to the door 11. And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness both small and great so that they wearied themselves to find the door 12. And the men said unto Lot Hast thou here any besides son in law and thy sons and thy daughters and whatsoever thou hast in the city bring them out of this place 13. For we will destroy this place because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the LORD and the LORD hath sent us to destroy it 14. And Lot went out and spake unto his sons in law which married his daughters and said Vp get you out of this place for the LORD will destroy this city but he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law 15. And when the morning arose then the angels hastened Lot saying Arise take thy wife and thy two daughters which are here lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city 16. And while he lingered the men laid hold upon his hand and upon the hand of his wife and upon the hand of his two daughters the LORD being mercifull unto him and they brought him forth and set him without the city 17. And it came to pass when they had brought them forth abroad that he said Escape for thy life look not behind thee neither stay thou in all the plain escape to the mountain lest thou be consumed 18. And Lot said unto them Oh not so my lord 19. Behold now thy servant hath found grace in thy sight and thou hast magnified thy mercy which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life and I cannot escape to the mountain lest some evil take me and I die 20. Behold now this city is near to flee unto and it is a little one Oh let me escape thither is it not a little one and my soul shall live 21. And he said unto him See I have accepted thee concerning this thing also that I will not overthrow this city for the which thou hast spoken 22. Haste thee escape thither for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither therefore the name of the city was called Zoar. 23. The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entred into Zoar. 24. Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven 25. And he overthrew those cities and all the plain and all the inhabitants of the cities and that which grew upon the ground 26. But his wife looked back from behind him and she became a pillar of salt 27. And Abraham gat up early in the morning to the place where he stood before the LORD 28. And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah and toward all the land of the plain and beheld and lo the smoak of the country went up as the smoak of a furnace 29. And it came to pass when God destroyed the cities of the plain that God remembred Abraham and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow when he overthrew the cities in the which Lot dwelt 30. And Lot went up out of Zoar and dwelt in the mountain and his two daughters with him for he feared to dwell in Zoar and he dwelt in a cave he and his two daughters 31. And the first born said unto the younger Our father is old and there is not a man in the earth to come in unto us after the manner of all the earth 32. Come let us make our father drink wine and we will lie with him that we may preserve seed of our father 33. And they made their father drink wine that night and the first-born went in and lay with her father and he perceived not when she lay down nor when she arose 34. And it came to pass on the morrow that the first-born said unto the younger Behold I lay yesternight with my father let us make him drink wine this night also and go thou in and lie with him that we may preserve seed of our father 35. And they made their father drink wine that night also and the younger arose and lay with him and he perceived not when she lay down nor when she arose 36. Thus were both the daughters of Lot with child by their father 37. And the first-born bare a son and called his name Moab the same is the father of the Moabites unto this day 38. And the younger
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 Birth of Seth in that line did descend from Adam The word Book among the Ancients was applied to very small Writings or Chapters Thus the Bill of Divorcement is called Deut. 24.1 An Epistle 2 Sam. 11.14 A Register of Names Nehem. 7.5 2. Adam Or Man Gen. 1.27 3. An hundred and thirty years By years are meant Solar not Lunar years throughout the whole Chapter If a year were put for a month in these places then would Cainan Mahalaleel and Enoch be supposed to have had Children before they were six years old In his own lickness i. e. Like to him not onely in his faculties and bodily gifts and endowments but also in his mortality and the depravedness of his nature 5. All the days c. This very particular account which is given of Adam and his Descendants by Seth to the Floud serves to set forth the care and good providence of God And that it does I. As it assures us of God's blessing those Men in giving them Children both sons and daughters there not being any among them that was deprived of this Blessing II. By acquainting us with the long lives of those Men for the better replenishing of the Earth which God had made III. As it informs us of God's peculiar care of these good Men in exempting them from the Floud For it appears by computation that these righteous persons were not destroyed by the Floud which was brought upon the world of the ungodly 2 Pet. 2.5 There was not any one of them besides Noah whose Age reached unto the Floud And that seems to be the reason that the time of their death is precisely set down here which is not thus particularly done in the generations which are mentioned Gen. 11. 22. Walked with God i. e. Was a Religious Man he pleased God and had therefore a true faith in Him Heb. 11.5 6. and a firm belief of future rewards Jude v. 14 15. 24. He was not i. e. He was not found Heb. 11.5 viz. among the Inhabitants of this lower World God took him i. e. God took him to himself He was translated that he should not see death Heb. 11.5 29. Noah He was the tenth from Adam The Hebrew word signifies rest His Father fore-tells of him This same shall comfort us He brought comfort and rest to mankind By improving the Art of Husbandry he eased Men as to the toil of their hands ch 9. v. 20. He was also a means of saving Mankind from utter ruine by the Floud and upon his Oblations received assurance that God would not again curse the ground any more for man's sake ch 8. v. 21. 32. Shem Ham and Japheth Japheth was the eldest Shem the second and Ham the youngest See ch 7. v. 6. with ch 11. v. 10. ch 9. v. 24. ch 10. v. 21. The following Story being most concerned in the Off-spring of Shem and the Church of God being among his Off-spring he is here named in the first place CHAP. VI. The ARGUMENT The Causes which moved God to bring the Floud upon the World Noah findeth favour A character of him and an account of his Sons Noah is commanded to build an Ark. He is directed as to the Matter Form and End of it 1. AND it came to pass when men began to multiply on the face of the earth and daughters were born unto them 2. That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair and they took them wives of all which they chose 3. And the LORD said My Spirit shall not always strive with man for that he also is flesh yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years 4. There were giants in the earth in those days and also after that when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men and they bare children to them the same became mighty men which were of old men of renown 5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was onely evil continually 6. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth and it grieved him at his heart 7. And the LORD said I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth both man and beast and the creeping thing and the fowls of the air for it repenteth me that I have made them 8. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD 9. These are the generations of Noah Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations and Noah walked with God 10. And Noah begat three sons Shem Ham and Japheth 11. The earth also was corrupt before God and the earth was filled with violence 12. And God looked upon the earth and behold it was corrupt for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth 13. And God said unto Noah The end of all flesh is come before me for the earth is filled with violence through them and behold I will destroy them with the earth 14. Make thee an ark of Gopher-wood rooms shalt thou make in the ark and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch 15. And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of the length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits the breadth of it fifty cubits and the height of it thirty cubits 16. A window shalt thou make to the ark and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof with lower second and third stories shalt thou make it 17. And behold I even I do bring a floud of waters upon the earth to destroy all flesh wherein is the breath of life from under heaven and every thing that is in the earth shall die 18. But with thee will I establish my covenant and thou shalt come into the ark thou and thy sons and thy wife and thy sons wives with thee 19. And of every living thing of all flesh two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark to keep them alive with thee they shall be male and female 20. Of fowls after their kind and of cattel after their kind of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind two of every sort shall come unto thee to keep them alive 21. And take thou unto thee of all food that is eaten and thou shalt gather it to thee and it shall be for food for thee and for them 22. Thus did Noah according to all that God commanded him so did he 2. The Sons of God i. e. The Worshippers of God who were descended from Seth chap. 4. v. 26. These are called God's Children Compare Deut. 14.1 2 Cor. 6.18 with Isai 43.6 7.44.5.65.1 The daughters of men That is the daughters of the ungodly Race of Cain 1 Cor. 3.3 Chose Their choice was determined by Beauty whereas favour is deceitfull and beauty is vain Prov. 31.30 3. My Spirit shall not always strive with man i. e. Man
before his dead i. e. From the place where he saâ—e mourning over his dead Isa 47.1 Job 2.13 Of Heth Those who descended from Heth the Son of Canaan ch 10.15 4. A sojourner Heb. 11.13 6. A mighty Prince Or Prince of God Hebr. They esteemed Abraham highly for his regard to God and upon the score of God's blessings upon him See ch 21. v. 22. His great piety was exemplary and God's mercies visible Hence they call him a Prince of God i.e. a person very eximious and venerable Things that are very excellent are said to be of God Compare Psal 36.6 and 80.10 7. Bowed himself In token of thankfulness as well as reverence 9. Machpelah What we render the Cave of Machpelah the Ancients render the double cave the word Machpelah denoting such a sense 'T is probable that this burying-place had a double Cave whence it was so called 10. Gates Hebr. Gate They that go in at the gate are the Citizens or Inhabitants of that place ch 34. v. 24. 13. Money Abraham will buy a burying-place and in so doing he prevented a future Controversie and withall received a pledge in this purchase of the inheritance which God had promised 15. Four hundred Shekels See the Note on ch 20. v. 16. 16. Weighed Payment was then made by weight not by tale Compare ch 43. v. 21. Currant money with the Merchant i. e. Abraham used no guile or deceit in his payment but weighed so much Silver as those who understood those matters could not refuse 18. For a possession He having before this no possession in that Land 19. After this i. e. After he had paid for this burying-place 20. Made sure Being purchased and that before the whole City CHAP. XXIV The ARGUMENT Abraham takes an Oath of his servant not to take a wife to his son of the daughters of Canaan He takes his journey into the Country whence Abraham came to get a wife for Isaac He prays to God for Success and is heard Rebekah meets him who with her father's Consent goes with Abraham's servant and becomes the wife of Isaac 2148. 1856. 1. AND Abraham was old and well stricken in age and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things 2. And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house that ruled over all that he had Put I pray thee thy hand under my thigh 3. And I will make thee swear by the LORD the God of heaven and the God of the earth that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites amongst whom I dwell 4. But thou shalt go unto my country and to my kindred and take a wife unto my son Isaac 5. And the servant said unto him Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest 6. And Abraham said unto him Beware thou that thou bring not my son thither again 7. The LORD God of heaven which took me from my father's house and from the land of my kindred and which spake unto me and that sware unto me saying Vnto thy seed will I give this land he shall send his angel before thee and thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence 8. And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee then thou shalt be clear from this my oath only bring not my son thither again 9. And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master and sware to him concerning that matter 10. And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master and departed for all the goods of his master were in his hand and he arose and went to Mesopotamia unto the city of Nahor 11. And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the evening even the time that women go out to draw water 12. And he said O LORD God of my master Abraham I pray thee send me good speed this day and shew kindness unto my master Abraham 13. Behold I stand here by the well of water and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water 14. And let it come to pass that the damsel to whom I shall say Let down thy pitcher I pray thee that I may drink and she shall say Drink and I will give thy camels drink also let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servent Isaac and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master 15. And it came to pass before he had done speaking that behold Rebekah came out who was born to Bethuel son of Milcah the wife of Nahor Abraham's brother with her pitcher upon her shoulder 16. And the damsel was very fair to look upon a virgin neither had any man known her and she went down to the well and filled her pitcher and came up 17. And the servant ran to meet her and said Let me I pray thee drink a little water of thy pitcher 18. And she said Drink my lord and she hasted and let down her pitcher upon her hand and gave him drink 19. And when she had done giving him drink she said I will draw water for thy camels also untill they have done drinking 20. And she hasted and emptied her pitcher into the trough and ran again unto the well to draw water and drew for all his camels 21. And the man wondering at her held his peace to wit whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not 22. And it came to pass as the camels had done drinking that the man took a golden ear ring of half a shekel weight and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold 23. And said Whose daughter art thou tell me I pray thee is there room in thy fathers house for us to lodge in 24. And she said unto him I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah which she bare unto Nahor 25. She said moreover unto him We have both straw and provender enough and room to lodge in 26. And the man bowed down his head and worshipped the LORD 27. And he said Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth I being in the way the LORD led me to the house of my master's brethren 28 And the damsel ran and told them of her mother's house these things 29. And Rebekah had a brother and his name was Laban and Laban ran out unto the man unto the well 30. And it came to pass when he saw the ear-ring and bracelets upon his sisters hands and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister saying Thus spake the man unto me that he came unto the man and behold he stood by the camels at the well 31. And he said Come in thou blessed of the LORD wherefore standest thou without for I
have prepared the house and room for the camels 32. And the man came into the house and he ungirded his camels and gave straw and provender for the camels and water to wash his feet and the mens feet that were with him 33. And there was set meat before him to eat but he said I will not eat untill I have told mine errand And he said Speak on 34. And he said I am Abraham's servant 35. And the LORD hath blessed my master greatly and he is become great and he hath given him flocks and herds and silver and gold and men-servants and maid-servants and camels and asses 36. And Sarah my master's wife bare a son to my master when she was old and unto him hath he given all that he hath 37. And my master made me swear saying Thou shalt not take a wife to my son of the daughters of the Canaanites in whose land I dwell 38. But thou shalt go unto my fathers house and to my kindred and take a wife unto my son 39. And I said unto my master Peradventure the woman will not follow me 40. And he said unto me the LORD before whom I walk will send his angel with thee and prosper thy way and thou shalt take a wife for my son of my kindred and of my father's house 41. Then shalt thou be clear from this my oath when thou comest to my kindred and if they give not thee one thou shalt be clear from my oath 42. And I came this day unto the well and said O LORD God of my master Abraham if now thou do prosper my way which I go 43. Behold I stand by the well of water and it shall come to pass that when the virgin cometh forth to draw water and I say to her Give me I pray thee a little water of thy pitcher to drink 44. And she say to me Both drink thou and I will also draw for thy camels let the same be the woman whom the LORD hath appointed out for my master's son 45. And before I had done speaking in mine heart Behold Rebekah came forth with her pitcher on her shoulder and she went down unto the well and drew water and I said unto her Let me drink I pray thee 46. And she made haste and let down her pitcher from her shoulder and said Drink and I will give thy camels drink also so I drank and she made the camels drink also 47. And I asked her and said Whose daughter art thou And she said The daughter of Bethuel Nahor's son whom Milcah bare unto him and I put the ear-ring upon her face and the bracelets upon her hands 48. And I bowed down my head and worshipped the LORD and blessed the LORD God of my master Abraham which had led me in the right way to take my master's brother's daughter unto his son 49. And now if you will deal kindly and truly with my master tell me and if not tell me that I may turn to the right hand or to the left 50. Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said The thing proceedeth from the LORD we cannot speak unto thee bad or good 51. Behold Rebekah is before thee take her and go and let her be thy master's son's wife as the LORD hath spoken 52. And it came to pass that when Abraham's servant heard their words he worshipped the LORD bowing himself to the earth 53. And the servant brought forth jewels of silver and jewels of gold and raiment and gave them to Rebekah he gave also to her brother and to her mother precious things 54. And they did eat and drink he and the men that were with him and tarried all night and they rose up in the morning and he said Send me away unto my master 55. And her brother and her mother said Let the damsel abide with us a few days at the least ten after that she shall go 56. And he said unto them Hinder me not seeing the LORD hath prospered my way send me away that I may go to my master 57. And they said We will call the damsel and enquire at her mouth 58. And they called Rebekah and said unto her Wilt thou go with this man And she said I will go 59. And they sent away Rebekah their sister and her nurse and Abraham's servant and his men 60. And they blessed Rebekah and said unto her Thou art our sister be thou the mother of thousands of millions and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them 61. And Rebekah arose and her damsels and they rode upon the camels and followed the man and the servant took Rebekah and went his way 62. And Isaac came from the way of the well Lahai-roi for he dwelt in the south country 63. And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the even-tide and he lift up his eyes and saw and behold the camels were coming 64. And Rebekah lift up her eyes and when she saw Isaac she lighted off the camel 65. For she had said unto the servant What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us and the servant had said It is my master therefore she took a veil and covered her self 66. And the servant told Isaac all things that he had done 67. And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent and took Rebekah and she became his wife and he loved her and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death 1. OLD 2148. 1856. He was now One hundred and forty years old This appears by comparing ch 21.5 with ch 25.20 2. Servant 'T is probable that this was Eliezer the Steward of his House ch 15.2 My thigh This was a rite in taking an Oath used also ch 47.29 Besides Abraham having received the blessing and promise of good things commands his servant to put his hand there where he had received the sign of his faith For believing the Divine promises he received the Seal of Circumcision and commanded him there to put his hand that being mindfull of the promise and the circumcision he might not defile his Master's noble race with a foreign Marriage Says Theodoret Quaest 74. in Genes 3. By the Lord c. By whom alone it was lawfull to swear Deut. 6.13 He being both of infinite knowledge and power Canaanites Who were a wicked people and devoted to destruction Compare ch 9.25 with Deut. 7.3 4. and to marry the promised seed to any of that race would be inconsistent with the Divine predictions 5. Thou camest Abraham came thence but not Isaac 6. That thou bring not my son thither again Or lest thou return my son thither as it is in the Hebrew which words are to be understood with relation to Abraham's coming thence As ch 15.16 7. His Angel To guide and defend thee Angels are ministring Spirits Heb. 1.14 Gen. 48 1â— Exod. 14.19 and 23.20 8. Clear i. e. Thou shalt not be obliged by this Oath 10. For all the goods c. Or and
it time that the cattel should be gathered together water ye the sheep and go and feed them 8. And they said We cannot untill all the flocks be gathered together and till they roll the stone from the well's mouth then we water the sheep 9. And while he yet spake with them Rachel came with her father's sheep for she kept them 10. And it came to pass when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother's brother and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother that Jacob went near and rolled the stone from the well's mouth and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother 11. And Jacob kissed Rachel and lifted up his voice and wept 12. And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father's brother and that he was Rebekah's son and she ran and told her father 13. And it came to pass when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob his sister's son that he ran to meet him and embraced him and kissed him and brought him to his house and he told Laban all these things 14. And Laban said to him Surely thou art my bone and my flesh and he abode with him the space of a month 15. And Laban said unto Jacob Because thou art my brother shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought tell me what shall thy wages be 16. And Laban had two daughters the name of the elder was Leah and the name of the younger was Rachel 17. Leah was tender-eyed but Rachel was beautifull and well-favoured 18. And Jacob loved Rachel and said I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter 19. And Laban said It is better that I give her to thee then that I should give her to another man abide with me 20. And Jacob served seven years for Rachel and they seemed unto him but a few days for the love he had to her 21. And Jacob said unto Laban Give me my wife for my days are fulfilled that I may go in unto her 22. And Laban gathered together all the men of the place and made a feast 23. And it came to pass in the evening that he took Leah his daughter and brought her to him and he went in unto her 24. And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid for an hand-maid 25. And it came to pass that in the morning behold it was Leah and he said to Laban What is this thou hast done unto me did not I serve with thee for Rachel wherefore then hast thou beguiled me 26. And Laban said It must not be so done in our country to give the younger before the first-born 27. Fulfill her week and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years 28. And Jacob did so and fulfilled her week and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also 29. And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah his hand-maid to be her maid 30. And he went in also unto Rachel and he loved also Rachel more than Leah and served with him yet seven other years 31. And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated he opened her womb but Rachel was barren 32. And Leah conceived and bare a son and she called his name Reuben for she said Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction now therefore my husband will love me 33. And she conceived again and bare a son and said Because the LORD hath heard that I was hated he hath therefore given me this son also and she called his name Simeon 34. And she conceived again and bare a son and said Now this time will my husband be joyned unto me because I have born him three sons therefore was his name called Levi. 35. And she conceived again and bare a son and she said Now will I praise the LORD therefore she called his name Judah and left bearing 1. EAst Eastward from Canaan Isa 41.2 2. In the field Not far from Haran where Laban dwelt as appears by what follows 3. In his place This was for the preservation of the Water 5. The Son of Nahor i. e. His Grandchild See the Note on ch 20.12 7. High day i. e. It is a great while to night 8. We cannot i. e. We have not strength enough v. 2. and perhaps they could not justly do it till the whole company met The word will bear this sense ch 34.14 10. Rolled the stone In which possibly he might be assisted by the Shepherds present 12. Brother i. e. Kinsman Compare ch 13.8 and v. 13. of this Chapter 13. All these things viz. Which were the occasion of this Journey of his 14. My Bone The Chaldee well renders it my Kinsman Month A time of tryal See v. 21. 19. To thee Who art a Kinsman and of whom I have already made some tryal 20. Seven years Not before he married her but afterward Hence 't is said That they seemed to him but a few days whereas the time would rather have seemed long had he not been married to her Prov. 13.12 21. Said Or had said For my days are fulfilled i. e. It is time that I were married He was now at least Seventy six years old And Esau who was of the same age had been married about Thirty six years ch 26.34 It is possible that Jacob may in these words referr to the Months tryal mentioned v. 14. It is certain that these words cannot be meant of the Expiration of his seven years service And that will appear to any Man who shall consider the following Particulars I. This would suppose that Jacob had twelve Children in the space of seven years Gen. 30.25.31.41 which is by no means allowable For Leah had seven at seven several Births which might well take up seven years Besides 't is certain that she intermitted bearing for some time Gen. 29.35.30.17 And in the mean time we have an account of the birth of Dan and Naphtali Gad and Asher before Leah bore Issachar Zebulun and Dinah Gen. 30. II. This Opinion supposeth Reuben to have been but about four years old at most when he brought the Mandrakes mentioned Gen. 30.14 For after this his Mother not being then with Child bore three Children at three several births And it is probable that Joseph was born after this Gen. 30.22 III. The consideration of Jacob's age who was when he went to Laban about seventy six years old and the birth of Hezron and Hamul ch 46.12 forbids us to receive this Opinion according to which Judah could not be above three or four years older than Joseph and consequently could not be above forty three or forty four years old when he with his Grand-children went into Egypt Joseph being then at most but forty years old Gen. 41.46 To compose this it must be suppos'd by those who would defend this Opinion That Judah married at twelve and had Er when he was thirteen years old That Er married at twelve and Onan at the same age Tamar staid for Shelah after the days
were multiplied and Judah's Wife died Gen. 38.12 and then she bore Pharez to Judah We will allow but three years for this And then supposing Pharez to marry at twelve years of age and that he had Hezron and Hamul supposing them twins at the age of thirteen and that they went into Egypt at one year old All this amounts but to forty three years These things being duly put together do justify this Interpretation and sufficiently expose that Opinion That Jacob served seven years before he married Leah That I may go in c. Not take her away that he could not justly do till he had served seven years 23. In the Evening Jacob might easily be deceived partly from the darkness which Josephus mentions and also because they that were newly married were veiled ch 24. v. 65. 25. Did not I serve thee c. i. e. Not onely Covenant to serve thee but actually served thee and gave thee a proof of my Industry for a Month v. 14. Beguiled me 'T was great fraud in Laban and to Jacob a great affliction but such as might put him in mind of the guile which he had used in procuring his Father's Blessing 26. It must not This is a mere pretence And he ought to have told Jacob of it before had there been any weight in it 27. Fulfill her week i. e. Keep the Solemnity of seven days feasting which space was allowed for Marriage-feasts Judg. 14.12 Shalt serve This confirms what is said upon v. 20. 31. Hated i. e. Loved less than Rachel as 't is v. 30. Hating is in the Scripture-phrase put for Loving less Compare Luke 14.26 with Matt. 10.37 33. Heard i. e. Understood 35. Judah As his Mother praised God which gave the first occasion of his name so his Brethren were to praise him ch 49. v. 8. From him his Brethren in after-times were called Jews Left bearing i. e. For a little while she ceased to bear CHAP. XXX The ARGUMENT Rachel is discontented at her barrenness She giveth unto Jacob her maid Bilhah who beareth Dan and Naphtali Leah gives to Jacob her maid Zilpah who bears Gad and Asher Reuben finds Mandrakes and brings them to Leah She parts with them to Rachel on a certain condition Leah bears Issachar and Zebulun and Dinah Rachel at length beareth Joseph Jacob desires to leave Laban who thereupon makes a Contract with him for wages Jacob's policy and his increase of Wealth 1. AND when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children Rachel envied her sister and said unto Jacob Give me children or else I die 2. And Jacob's anger was kindled against Rachel and he said Am I in God's stead who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb 3. And she said Behold my maid Bilhah go in unto her and she shall bear upon my knees that I may also have children by her 4. And she gave him Bilhah her hand-maid to wife and Jacob went in unto her 5. And Bilhah conceived and bare Jacob a son 6. And Rachel said God hath judged me and hath also heard my voice and hath given me a son therefore called she his name Dan. 7. And Bilhah Rachel's maid conceived again and bare Jacob a second son 8. And Rachel said With great wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister and I have prevailed and she called his name Naphtali 9. When Leah saw that she had left bearing she took Zilpah her maid and gave her Jacob to wife 10. And Zilpah Leah's maid bare Jacob a son 11. And Leah said A troup cometh and she called his name Gad. 12. And Zilpah Leah's maid bare Jacob a second son 13. And Leah said happy am I for the daughters will call me blessed and she called his name Asher 14. And Reuben went in the days of wheat-harvest and found mandrakes in the field and brought them unto his mother Leah Then Rachel said to Leah Give me I pray thee of thy sons mandrakes 15. And she said unto her Is it a small matter that thou hast taken my husband and wouldest thou take away my son's mandrakes also And Rachel said Therefore he shall lie with thee to night for thy son's mandrakes 16. And Jacob came out of the field in the evening and Leah went out to meet him and said Thou must come in unto me for surely I have hired thee with my son's mandrakes And he lay with her that night 17. And God hearkned unto Leah and she conceived and bare Jacob the fifth son 18. And Leah said God hath given me mine hire because I have given my maiden to my husband and she called his name Issachar 19. And Leah conceived again and bare Jacob the sixth son 20. And Leah said God hath endued me with a good dowry now will my husband dwell with me because I have born him six sons and she called his name Zebulun 21. And afterwards she bare a daughter and called her name Dinah 22. And God remembred Rachel and God hearkned to her and opened her womb 23. And she conceived and bare a son and said God hath taken away my reproach 24. And she called his name Joseph and said The LORD shall add to me another son 25. And it came to pass when Rachel had born Joseph that Jacob said unto Laban Send me away that I may go unto mine own place and to my country 26. Give me my wives and my children for whom I have served thee and let me go for thou knowest my service which I have done thee 27. And Laban said unto him I pray thee if I have found favour in thine eyes tarry for I have learned by experience that the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake 28. And he said Appoint me thy wages and I will give it 29. And he said unto him Thou knowest how I have served thee and how thy cattel was with me 30. For it was little which thou hadst before I came and it is now increased unto a multitude and the LORD hath blessed thee since my coming and now when shall I provide for mine own house also 31 And he said What shall I give thee and Jacob said Thou shalt not give me any thing if thou wilt do this thing for me I will again feed and keep thy flock 32. I will pass through all thy flock to day removing from thence all the speckled and spotted cattel and all the brown cattel among the sheep and the spotted and speckled among the goats and of such shall be my hire 33. So shall my righteousness answer for me in time to come when it shall come for my hire before thy face every one that is not speckled and spotted amongst the goats and brown amongst the sheep that shall be accounted stollen with me 34. And Laban said Behold I would it might be according to thy word 35. And he removed that day the he goats that were ring-straked and spotted and all the she-goats that were speckled and spotted and every one that had
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
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
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
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
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.
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
your God as ye tempted him in Massah 17. You shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God and his testimonies and his statutes which he hath commanded thee 18. And thou shalt do that which is right and good in the sight of the LORD that it may be well with thee and that thou mayest go in and possess the good land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers 19. To cast out all thine enemies from before thee as the LORD hath spoken 20. And when thy son asketh thee in time to come saying What mean the testimonies and the statutes and the judgments which the LORD our God hath commanded you 21. Then thou shalt say unto thy son We were Pharaoh's bondmen in Egypt and the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand 22. And the LORD shewed signs and wonders great and fore upon Egypt upon Pharaoh and upon all his houshold before our eyes 23. And he brought us out from thence that he might bring us in to give us the land which he sware unto our fathers 24. And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes to fear the LORD our God for our good always that he might preserve us alive as it is at this day 25. And it shall be our righteousness if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD â—â—r God as he hath commanded us 1. GO Heb. Pass over 2. Fear the LORD The fear of God being the principle of Obedience is frequently in the Scripture put for the whole of Religion or Godliness 4. One LORD He is but one in his Essence and onely to be worshipped 1 Cor. 8.5 6. These words are by way of Explication of the first Precept of the Decalogue chap. 5.7 5. Thou shalt love This love of God is another great Principle of Obedience and that which renders the Fear of him acceptable to him See chap. 10.12 Matth. 22.37 Mark 12.30 Luk 10.27 6. And these words See chap. 11.18 7. Teach them diligently Heb. Wheâ— or Sharpen i. e. Inculcate them that they may take deep Root and make a lasting Impression 8. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thy hand c. Their great care to remember these Precepts is commended to them by these Expressions For we do not forget what is fastened to our Hands and placed before our Eyes See the Notes upon Exod. 13.9 and v. 16. Compare Prov. 6.21 11. When c. ch 8.10 c. 12. Then beware c. Prosperity is generally very dangerous to Mankind Hence it is they are warned at such times of Plenty and Affluence of worldly things to beware ch 8.11 These things being a great snare and occasion of Pride and Haughtiness and many other Vices See Psal 73. and compare v. 5. with v. 6. and v. 7. with v. 8. 1 Tim. 6.9 17. Bondage Heb. Bondmen or Servants 13. Fear Chap. 10.12 20. and 13.14 By his name viz. Onely by his Name This Interpretation cannot be rejected with any reason Swearing could never be lawfull but when it was necessary and all that the Israelites were obliged to from these words was this that when they did swear they should do it by the Name of God onely and not by any Creature Matt. 5.34 Those words in this Verse serve Him are expressed by Christ by Him onely shalt thou serve Matth. 4.10 And the Greek here render those words to the same sense Hence it appears that the Doctrine which Christ taught does not contradict a Moral Precept of Moses 16. Ye shall not tempt c. Mat. 4.7 The meaning is ye shall not provoke him to anger by putting his Justice and Veracity to the proof and trial which Men do then when they break his Laws or call his Truth and good Providence in question As ye tempted Exod. 17.2 20. In time to come Heb. To morrow Testimonies This word seems to import those Laws especially which were the Memorials or Witnesses of something past v. g. The Passeover was a Memorial of their deliverance from Egypt as the Sabbath was both of that and of the World's Creation 22. Sore Heb. Evil 25. Our righteousness Both the Vulgar Latin and Greek understand this word Righteousness to import Mercy as it is observed to do in some other places And then the meaning of the words is this That God will be mercifull to us for the future if we obey his Laws And this agrees with verse 24. where this Obedience is said to be for our good always c. CHAP. VII The ARGUMENT The seven Nations are to be destroyed and likewise their Monuments of Idolatry No Covenants or Affinities with them allowed God's great love to the Israelites Great Motives to Obedience 1. WHen the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it and hath cast out many nations before thee the Hittites and the Girgashites and the Amorites and the Canaanites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites seven nations greater and mightier then thou 2. And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee thou shalt smite them and utterly destroy them thou shalt make no covenant with them nor shew mercy unto them 3. Neither shalt thou make marriages with them thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son 4. For they will turn away thy son from following me that they may serve other gods so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you and destroy thee suddenly 5. But thus shall ye deal with them ye shall destroy their altars and break down their images and cut down their groves and burn their graven images with fire 6. For thou art a holy people unto the LORD thy God the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself above all people that are upon the face of the earth 7. The LORD did not set his lâ—ve upon you nor choose you because ye were more in number then any people for ye were the fewest of all people 8. But because the LORD loved you and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt 9. Know therefore that the LORD thy God he is God the faithfull God which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations 10. And repayeth them that hate him to their face to destroy them he will not be slack to him that hateth him he will repay him to his face 11. Thou shalt therefore keep the commandments and the statutes and the judgments which I command thee this day to do them 12. Wherefore it shall come to pass if ye hearken to these judgments and keep and do them that the LORD thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant and the
which he hath given thee the unclean and the clean may eat thereof as of the roe-buck and as of the hart 16. Onely ye shall not eat the blood ye shall pour it upon the earth as water 17. Thou mayest not eat within thy gates the tithe of thy corn or of thy wine or of thy oyl or the firstlings of the herds or of thy flock nor any of thy vows which thou vowest nor thy free-will-offerings or heave-offering of thine hand 18. But thou must eat them before the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose thou and thy son and thy daughter and thy man-servant and thy maid servant and the Levite that is within thy gates and thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God in all that thou puttest thine hands unto 19. Take heed to thy self that thou forsake not the Levite as long as thou livest upon thy earth 20. When the LORD thy God shall enlarge thy border as he hath promised thee and thou shalt say I will eat flesh because thy soul longeth to eat flesh thou mayest eat flesh whatsoever thy soul lusteth after 21. If the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen to put his name there be too far from thee then thou shalt kill of thy herd and of thy flock which the LORD hath given thee as I have commanded thee and thou shalt eat in thy gates whatsoever thy soul lusteth after 22. Even as the roe-buck and the hart is eaten so thou shalt eat them the unclean and the clean shall eat of them alike 23. Onely be sure that thou eat not the blood for the blood is the life and thou mayest not eat the life with the flesh 24. Thou shalt not eat it thou shalt pour it upon the earth as water 25. Thou shalt not eat it that it may go well with thee and with thy children after thee when thou shalt do that which is right in the sight of the LORD 26. Onely thy holy things which thou hast and thy vows thou shalt take and go unto the place which the LORD shall choose 27. And thou shalt offer thy burnt-offerings the flesh and the blood upon the altar of the LORD thy God and the blood of thy sacrifices shall be poured out upon the altar of the LORD thy God and thou shalt eat the flesh 28. Observe and hear all these words which I command thee that it may go well with thee and with thy children after thee for ever when thou doest that which is good and right in the sight of the LORD thy God 29. When the LORD thy God shall cut off the nations from before thee whither thou goest to possess them and thou succeedest them and dwellest in their land 30. Take heed to thy self that thou be not snared by following them after that they be destroyed from before thee and that thou enquire not after their gods saying How did these nations serve their gods even so will I do likewise 31. Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God for every abomination to the LORD which he hateth have they done unto their gods for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods 32. What thing soever I command you observe to do it thou shalt not add thereto nor diminish from it 2. Ye shall utterly destroy Ch. 7.5 God did not think it enough to forbid them Idolatry but commands them to destroy all the Monuments and Memorials thereof Possess Or Inherit 3. You shall overthrow Heb. Break down their altars c. Judg. 2.2 This enumeration of Particulars after what was said v. 2. speaks God's great care that the Israelites should flie from all Idolatry 4. Ye shall not do so unto the LORD your God By diligent comparing what is said above v. 2 3. and what follows v. 5 6. it appears that the meaning of this place is q. d. Ye shall not for the publick worship of God set up several Altars in sundry Mountains and Groves c. as the Idolatrous Nations did but serve him publickly in one place which he should choose v. 5 6. 5. Choose Or set a-part for that purpose as he did Jerusalem afterwards 1 King 8.29 2 Chron. 7.12 To put his name there i. e. To dwell or more especially to be present there where he is worshipped according to his Will The Name of God is put for God himself see Levit. 24.11 16. and 2 Sam. 6.2 And so it is â—â—â—re there is mention of calling on his Name building an House to his Name believing on his Name Psal 80.18 23.3 1 Chron. 22.8 and that so it is in this place is evident from the words of God to Solomon concerning the Temple which he had built I have chosen this place to my self for an house of sacrifice 2 Chron. 7.12 And this sense is confirmed from the following words in this Verse Even unto his habitation shall ye seek and from v. 11. There shall be a place which the Lord your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there 6. And thither ye shall bring c. This Command was for the preventing Idolatry which would not easily have been prevented had they been allowed their several Groves and Altars which the Idolaters had made use of And your tithes By Tithes here are not meant the Tithes paid to the Levites which were holy unto the Lord Levit. 27.30 and therefore not to be eaten by the People v. 18. nor yet the Tithe of those Tithes which was paid to the Priests Numb 18.26 and belonged onely to them and their Families Neh. 10.38 But a second Tithe which the People were to set aside after they had paid the Levites and which they might eat together with the Levite the Stranger Fatherless and Widow of which see Deut. 14.22 23 27 29. This second Tithe which the People was commanded to set aside every year was thus to be imployed viz. It was to be eaten for two years together in Jerusalem when God had chosen that place v. 17 18. and ch 14.23 and might be eaten by the first Owners and their Families with the Levites And in case the persons setting aside this Tithe lived at a great distance from Jerusalem they were allowed to turn it into Money and spend it there chap. 14.24 25 26. But every third year this same Tithe was to be laid up in the Country whence it did arise and to be eaten there not onely with the Levites as that which was spent at Jerusalem but with the other poor People of the Neighbourhood chap. 14.28 29. And heave-offerings of your hand viz. The first-fruits of the Earth of which see chap. 18.4 with chap. 26.2 The firstlings of your herds c. These are expressed as distinct from the first-fruits of the Earth expressed before by Heave-offerings 7. Ye shall eat viz. Your allowed part 8. This day That is this time of your wandring in the Wilderness where they could
free-will-offering of thine hand which thou shalt give unto the LORD thy God according as the LORD thy God hath blessed thee 11. And thou shalt rejoyce before the LORD thy God thou and thy son and thy daughter and thy man-servant and thy maid-servant and the Levite that is within thy gates and the stranger and the fatherless and the widow that are among you in the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen to place his name there 12. And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in Egypt and thou shalt observe and do these statutes 13. Thou shalt observe the feast of tabernacles seven days after that thou hast gathered in thy corn and thy wine 14. And thou shalt rejoyce in thy feast thou and thy son and thy daughter and thy man-servant and thy maid-servant and the Levite the stranger and the fatherless and the widow that are within thy gates 15. Seven days shalt thou keep a solemn feast unto the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD shall choose because the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy increase and in all the works of thine hands therefore thou shalt surely rejoice 16. Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose in the feast of unleavened bread and in the feast of weeks and in the feast of tabernacles and they shall not appear before the LORD empty 17. Every man shall give as he is able according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee 18. Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates which the LORD thy God giveth thee throughout thy tribes and they shall judge the people with just judgment 19. Thou shalt not wrest judgment thou shalt not respect persons neither take a gift for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise and pervert the words of the righteous 20. That which is altogether just shalt thou follow that thou mayest live and inherit the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee 21. Thou shalt not plant thee a grove of any trees near unto the altar of the LORD thy God which thou shalt make thee 22. Neither shalt thou set thee up any image which the LORD thy God hateth 1. THE month of Abib See Exod 12.2 and the Note upon that place and also upon Exod. 13.4 By night In the night that was done which moved Pharaoh to consent to the Israelites going out of Egypt and in the night he commanded them to go Exod. 12.29 30 31. And the Chaldee expresseth the sense to this purpose viz. He wrought wonders for thee in the night By the Death of the First-born their liberty was procured 2. Thou shalt therefore sacrifice the passeover c. Thou shalt kill the Paschal Lamb as is prescribed Exod 12. Of the flock and the herd Or the flock and herd viz. besides the Paschal Lamb thou shalt for Peace-offerings during the time of this Feast sacrifice not onely of the Flock but of the Herd also which Passeover-offerings or Chagigah were to continue during the Seven days after the Paschal Lambs were offered These were of the Flock and Herd of which see Numb 28.18 19 20 21 22 23 24. Thus King Josiah is said to have given to the People of the Flock Lambs and Kids for Passeover-offerings and of the Herd he gave Bullocks also 2 Chron. 35.7 That these Bullocks were for the Chagigah or Peace-offerings is evident from v. 13. They rosted the passeover with fire according to the Ordinance but the other holy Offerings i. e. The Peace-offerings or Chagigah sod they in Pots and in Caldrons c. And it follows thereupon And divided them speedily among all the people Whence it is very evident that these Sacrifices were the Chagigah or Peace-offerings which did attend upon the Paschal Solemnity It is evident from the Text itself that the Words cannot be understood of the Paschal Lambs and that they cannot be understood of whole Burnt-offerings or Sin-offerings because the People did not partake of them whereas these are said to be divided among the people In the place This circumstance was not provided for at the first Institution of the Passeover and is therefore mentioned here See chap. 12.5 3. Thou shalt eat no leavened bread with it This Precept was to continue during the seven days of the Passeover-offerings and was in memory of the Affliction of Egypt and their hasty Coming thence which afforded not time to leaven their Bread and to render it more savoury See Exod. 12.15 4. Vntill the morning See Exod. 12.10 6. At even at the going down of the sun When the Sun declines or in the Afternoon See the Note upon Exod. 12.6 At the season c. i. e. At that time of year c. 7. Thou shalt turn in the morning Not in the Morning of the Fifteenth day for that was a Solemn day in which no work was allowed to be done and was the First day of the Feast of Unleavened bread Levit. 23.6 7. And therefore it must be understood either 1. Of the Morning of the Sixteenth day of the Month and then those who lived near Jerusalem might return thither against the Seventh day of the Feast Or 2. The Morning after the Seventh day of the Feast which was the last and a solemn day Levit 23.8 See 2 Chron. 30.21 and 35.17 Thy Tents That is thy Dwellings which are called Tents here with respect to their present Condition in the Wilderness 8. Solemn assembly Heb. Restraint The reason of its being so called is intimated in the following words Thou shalt do no work therein 9. Seven weeks c. As the Feast of Passeover was instituted in remembrance of the deliverance out of Egypt so was this as is probable in remembrance of their receiving the Law of which and of the several Names of this Feast See the Note on Levit. 23.16 10. According as the LORD thy God hath blessed thee This imports more than what was prescribed Levit. 23.17 and Numb 28.27 13. Thou shalt observe c. Of which see the Note on Levit 23.34 15. Thou shalt surely rejoice viz. With a sense of God's Mercy in giving the Land of Promise to thee and the Fruits of it which thou hast now received See v. 13. 18. In all thy gates That is in all thy Cities the Gate being the place where the Judges sate 20. Altogether just viz. Without respect to Persons or Rewards 21. A grove of any trees viz. After the usage of Idolaters 1 King 15.13 22. Any image Or Statue or Pillar viz. Such as Idolaters were wont to erect CHAP. XVII The ARGUMENT What is blemished may not be sacrificed The Punishment of the Idolater What the Israelites were to do in cases of difficulty in matters of Judgment The Punishment of the Contumacious A Law concerning choosing a King and certain Rules whereby the King chosen was to govern himself
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
be his desire and thou shalt rule over him 8. And Cain talked with Abel his brother and it came to pass when they were in the field that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and slew him 9. And the LORD said unto Cain Where is Abel thy brother and he said I know not am I my brother's keeper 10. And he said What hast thou done the voice of thy brother's bloud crieth unto me from the ground 11. And now art thou cursed from the earth which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's bloud from thy hand 12. When thou tillest the ground it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth 13. And Cain said unto the LORD My punishment is greater than I can bear 14. Behold thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth and from thy face shall I be hid and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth and it shall come to pass that every one that findeth me shall slay me 15. And the LORD said unto him Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain vengeance shall be taken on him seven-fold And the LORD set a mark upon Cain lest any finding him should kill him 16. And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD and dwelt in the land of Nod on the east of Eden 17. And Cain knew his wife and she conceived and bare Enoch and he builded a city and called the name of the city after the name of his son Enoch 18. And unto Enoch was born Irad and Irad begat Mehujael and Mehujael begat Methusael and Methusael begat Lamech 19. And Lamech took unto him two wives the name of the one was Adah and the name of the other Zillah 20. And Adah bare Jabal he was the father of such as dwell in tents and of such as have cattel 21. And his brother's name was Jubal he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ 22. And Zillah she also bare Tubal-Cain an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron and the sister of Tubal-Cain was Naamah 23. And Lamech said unto his wives Adah and Zillah Hear my voice ye wives of Lamech hearken unto my speech for I have slain a man to my wounding and a young man to my hurt 24. If Cain shall be avenged seven-fold truly Lamech seventy and seven-fold 25. And Adam knew his wife again and she bare a son and called his name Seth for God said she hath appointed me another seed in stead of Abel whom Cain slew 26. And to Seth to him also there was born a son and he called his name Enos then began men to call upon the Name of the LORD 1. KNew Eve his Wife The following words declare the sence of these And this modest way of speaking is not only used but farther explained Numb 31.17 Judg. 21.12 This was after Adam had eaten of the Tree of knowledge and was cast out of the Garden and not permitted to come at the Tree of life He could not now hope to live for ever ch 3.24 He therefore takes the onely course to preserve Mankind From the Lord Lo Children are an heritage of the Lord Psal 127.3 Gen. 30.2 2. Abel The word in the Hebrew signifies vanity as that of Cain denotes possession 3. In process of time i. e. At the return of some set and solemn time of divine Worship 4. Had respect unto Or was pleased with as some ancient Versions have it God gave some visible sign of His respect it being said that God testified of Abel's gifts Heb. 11.4 And it is probable that God did this by consuming Abel's offering with fire from Heaven For thus did God use to declare his approbation and acceptance of the Oblation Lev. 9.24 Judg. 6.21 1 King 18.38 1 Chron. 21.26 2 Chron. 7.1 Abel and to his offering To Abel first and then to his Offering It is the Offerer that God principally regards Abel was a righteous person 1 Job 3.10 Matt. 23.35 And by Faith he offered his Sacrifice Heb. 11.4 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination unto the Lord Prov. 15.8 And he offered a more excellent Sacrifice than Cain did Heb. 11.4 And hence both he and his Offering were approved by God who is no respecter of persons Acts 10.34 35. 5. But unto Cain c. His Works were Evil. He offered without Faith and Charity Heb. 11.4 6. 1 Joh. 3.12 Besides there is a Tradition among the Jewish Writers that Cain in his discourse with Abel denied the good providence of God and future rewards and punishments And then he wanted that Faith without which it is impossible to please God Heb. 11.6 His countenance fell That is he was dejected 7. If thou doest well c. q. d. If thy Works be Good thou wilt be accepted The pious mind of the offerer being regarded more than the offering If thou doest not well That is if thy Works be Evil. Sin lieth at the door i. e. Thy punishment is not far off Thy sin will find thee out Numb 32.23 Sin is sometime put for its Reward or Punishment as well as for the Sacrifice by which it is atoned Numb 12.11 2 Cor. 5.21 Levit. 4.24 And it may be said to lie at the door when it is near at hand Matt. 24.33 Jam. 5.9 And unto thee shall be his desire c. i. e. By doing well thou shalt preserve that Superiority over thy Brother which thy Birth-right gives thee a claim unto See chap. 3.16 Abel will then yield to thee not onely as the Elder Brother but as to a Pattern and Example of Vertue These words are connected with those If thou doest well and not with those which immediately go before See an Example to the same purpose chap. 10.12 8. Talked Some very ancient Versions give us to understand that Cain invited Abel into the Field and some others have told us that there he disputed against the Providence of God and future Rewards and Punishments 9. Where See the Note on chap. 3.9 I know not By this it appears that he was void of a belief of God's Providence If he had believed that he could not have thought his Murder hid from God 10. What hast thou done These words serve to awaken him to a due sense of his Sin The voice of thy c. i. e. The hainousness of thy Sin in killing thy Brother and cutting off so righteous a Man and one who might have been an happy Parent of a numerous and good Posterity which might have replenished the World 11. From the Earth Which received thy Brother's bloud and from whence the Cry of it is come unto me This Earth shall refuse to give thee her fruits or a certain dwelling as it follows 12. Her strength i. e. Her fruit or encrease which speaks the strength of the Earth Joel 2.22 This was a fit punishment of Cain who was a tiller of the ground v.
2. A fugitive i. e. Thou shalt wander about not having a setled and fixed Habitation 14. From the face of the Earth That is from that land or ground where now I am and which I have tilled The Hebrew word which is here rendred Earth is not the same word which is so rendred v. 12. but a word of a narrower extent and which is rendred ground v. 2 3. And in those places it signifies tilled ground and ground improved and is used with a particular reference to that very ground which Cain tilled The same word is used v. 11. And though it be rendred Earth there yet it might have been as well rendred Ground as it is in the places mentioned and as it signifies When Cain is said to be cursed from the Earth it seems to referr especially to that ground where he then was and where he shed his Brother's bloud And Cain says here that he is driven from the face of the Earth i. e. From that Ground or Land where he was for it cannot be understood of the Earth in the largest sence in which he was to be a fugitive and vagabond v. 12. From thy face shall I be hid i. e. I shall be separated from that place where thou hast more peculiarly manifested thy self This God does in his Church and this he did at the Altar or place where the Sacrifices were offered See verse 4. and Gen. 28.16 17. Every one that findeth Whether Man or Beast The guilty Man fears every thing and flies when no Man pursues It is reasonable to believe that there were more of Mankind in the World than those whose Birth is expresly mentioned See verse 16 17. and chap. 5.4 15. Seven-fold i. e. Abundantly Compare Levit. 26.28 Mark Whether by over-awing the rest of the Creatures or what other way soever it were God thought fit to preserve the first Murderer alive as a lasting and sad Example to the World of the greatness of his Crime 16. Nod So called from Cain's wandring up and down 17. He builded Or he was building as it is in the Hebrew It does not appear from the original Text that he finished it much less that he had a fixed habitation there v. 12. 19. Two Wives Polygamy was a deviation from the first institution of Marriage Gen. 2.24 It is brought into use by Cain's off-spring Though it were afterwards indulged to the Israelites and so was Divorce also for the hardness of their hearts Matt. 19.8 20. Have cattel Or of Shepherds and of such as feed cattel which agrees with several ancient Versions 23. And Lamech said c. The occasion of this Speech of Lamech's not being revealed it cannot be reasonably expected that any man should positively determine the full sence thereof Thus much seems plain that they are vaunting words intimating his expectation of God's extraordinary regard to him though he had or should kill a man as Cain did many times beyond what he shewed to Cain as appears from v. 24. He seems from Cain's indemnity to encourage himself in his violence and wickedness 25. Called i. e. She called as it is in the Hebrew Text which she did not do without the consent of Adam as appears from chap. 5.3 26. Then began c. After Seth and Enos were born Religion did arise to a greater degree than it had arrived to under the Off-spring of Cain who are therefore onely called the children of Men whereas the Religious Off-spring of Seth and Enos are called the children of God ch 6. v. 2. CHAP. V. The ARGUMENT The Genealogy the Age and Death of the Off-spring of Adam by Seth unto the days of Noah being an account of the Patriarchs or principal Heads of Families of those who continued in the Worship of the true God See the Note on ch 6. v. 2. The Piety of Enoch and his Translation The Birth of Noah and of his Sons 1. THis is the book of the generations of Adam in the day that God created man in the likeness of God made he him 2. Male and female created be them and blessed them and called their name Adam in the day when they were created 3. And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years and begat a son in his own likeness after his image and called his name Seth. 4. And the days of Adam after he had begotten Seth were eight hundred years and he begat sons and daughters 5. And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years and he died 6. And Seth lived an hundred and five years and begat Enos 7. And Seth lived after he begat Enos eight hundred and seven years and begat sons and daughters 8. And all the days of Seth were nine hundred and twelve years and he died 9. And Enos lived ninety years and begat Cainan 10. And Enos lived after he begat Cainan eight hundred and fifteen years and begat sons and daughters 11. And all the days of Enos were nine hundred and five years and he died 12. And Cainan lived seventy years and begat Mahalaleel 13. And Cainan lived after he begat Mahalaleel eight hundred and forty years and begat sons and daughters 14. And all the days of Cainan were nine hundred and ten years and he died 15. And Mahalaleel lived sixty and five years and begat Jared 16. And Mahalaleel lived after he begat Jared eight hundred and thirty years and begat sons and daughters 17. And all the days of Mahalaleel were eight hundred ninety and five years and he died 18. And Jared lived an hundred sixty and two years and he begat Enoch 19. And Jared lived after he begat Enoch eight hundred years and begat sons and daughters 20. And all the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty and two years and he died 21. And Enoch lived sixty and five years and begat Methuselah 22. And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years and begat sons and daughters 23. And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years 24. And Enoch walked with God and he was not for God took him 25. And Methuselah lived an hundred eighty and seven years and begat Lamech 26. And Methuselah lived after he begat Lamech seven hundred eighty and two years and begat sons and daughters 27. And all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty and nine years and he died 28. And Lamech lived an hundred eighty and two years and begat a son 29. And he called his name Noah saying This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands because of the ground which the LORD hath cursed 30. And Lamech lived after he begat Noah five hundred ninety and five years and begat sons and daughters 31. And all the days of Lamech were seven hundred seventy and seven years and he died 32. And Noah was five hundred years old and Noah begat Shem Ham and Japheth 1. THE Book of the generations i. e. The Catalogue of those that after
shall not always continue but shall be destroyed in which words God threatens the drowning of Mankind by the floud of waters What we render strive is by the ancient Versions rendered by a word that signifies to continue or abide And what is rendred with Man in the Hebrew signifies as well in Man And then it will be easie to understand the importance of these words by comparing chap. 7.22 where it is said That all in whose nostrils was the breath of life Hebr. the breath of the spirit of life died Compare Gen. 2.7 Eccles 12.7 Heb. 12.9 For that he also is flesh i. e. For that he is a depraved mortal creature addicted to the works of the flesh Jud. v. 16 19. An hundred and twenty years i. e. So much time Men shall be allowed before the coming of the Floud to repent in Thus the long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah while the Ark was a preparing 1 Pet. 3.20 Besides the World did not want a Preacher of Righteousness among them 2 Pet. 2.5 This warning began twenty years before the Birth of Japhet of whose Birth we have an account v. 10. in its due place For what is said chap. 5.32 is there added to complete the Genealogy which is the subject of that Chapter 4. Giants i. e. Not onely Men of great stature Numb 13.32 33. but of insolent tempers v. 5 11. and consequently such as struck a terror upon Men of smaller size and strength After that i. e. After that Race of Men last mentioned Mighty men i. e. Men of great power and force Of renown Or of great fame for their exploits in the wicked World 5. Every imagination c. i. e. All the secret thoughts and purposes of his mind were always bent upon Evil. Not onely the practices of Men were Evil as it is said that God saw that the wickedness of Man was great but the principles from whence those actions flowed were generally corrupted also 6. It repented God cannot properly be said to Repent 1 Sam. 15.29 The Scripture speaks in the language of the children of men as the Jews commonly express it and attribute many things to God which strictly speaking belong not to him Because when Men undoe what they had done they are said to repent God after this manner of Men is said to repent when he destroyeth that which he had made This in God does not imply any alteration or defect And it grieved him at his heart Or He was displeased and angry as the word in the Hebrew is observed to signifie See Gen. 34. v. 7. at the Evil heart of Man of which mention is made in the end of verse 5. 8. Found grace That is obtained favour Compare Heb. 11.7 9. Perfect in his generations i. e. He was an upright and sincere Man and unblameable in the midst of a wicked and ungodly World 11. The Earth That is the Inhabitants of it ch 11. v. 1. Violence Or Rapine They were irreligious toward God and unjust to one another 12. All flesh i. e. The whole Race of Mankind Compare Isai 40.5 with Psal 78.39 His way Or course of living But especially Religion which is the way of serving God and to happiness and is called the way Act. 22.4.18.26 14. Gopher-wood The Chaldee renders it by a word that signifies Cedar Whatever the Wood were it is certain that it was Wood fit for this purpose And the word in the Hebrew language seems to imply that the Wood was of a bituminous or pitchy nature which yet for the greater security was to be pitched within and without 15. Cubits Supposing a Cubit to be but a foot and half which hath been a commonly received opinion we shall not have any just cause to think that the Ark wanted any capacity for the reception of those creatures and that provision which was to be lodged there But we are not obliged to believe this common opinion which supposeth a Cubit to be but 18 inches Allowing it to be somewhat more than 21 the capacity of the Ark will be much greater But of this matter they who please may consult Dr. Cumberland's Book printed 1686. 16. A window Or a light possibly of some strong and Diaphanous stone to give light into the Ark. See the Note on Gen. 8.6 In a cubit c. i. e. Thou shalt raise the top of the Ark one Cubit that the Cover of it being sloping may the better conveigh the waters falling upon it Door By which Noah and his family and the living creatures were to enter With lower c. The Lower story was probably for the greater beasts The second for stowage of provision The third for Noah's family and the fowls and perhaps some of the smaller creatures 18. Covenant The word in this place signifies a promise to preserve Noah and his family c. though it generally signifie a mutual compact or agreement v. 19. And thus sometimes this word signifies See Numb 18.19 and chap. 25.12 13. 19. Two of every sort Not that there shall be but two of any sort compare ch 7. v. 2. but there must be two at least viz. male and female of every kind v. 20. 22. So did he Compare Heb. 11.7 CHAP. VII The ARGUMENT Noah and his Family by God's direction enter into the Ark The living Creatures do so likewise The time when the Floud began the great increase the effects and continuance of it 1. AND the LORD said unto Noah Come thou and all thy house into the ark for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation 2. Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens the male and his female and of beasts that are not clean by two the male and his female 3. Of fowls also of the air by sevens the male and the female to keep seed alive upon the face of all the earth 4. For yet seven days and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth 5. And Noah did according unto all that the LORD commanded him A. M. 1656. 2349. 6. And Noah was six hundred years old when the floud of waters was upon the earth 7. And Noah went in and his sons and his wife and his sons wives with him into the ark because of the waters of the floud 8. Of clean beasts and of beasts that are not clean and of fowls and of every thing that creepeth upon the earth 9. There went in two and two unto Noah into the ark the male and the female as God had commanded Noah 10. And it came to pass after seven days that the waters of the floud were upon the earth 11. In the six hundredth year of Noah's life in the second month the seventeenth day of the month the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up and the windows of heaven were opened
stands charged with chap. 6.11 13. Besides this cruelty would have disposed men to murder which is severely forbidden in the following words 5. The bloud of your lives i. e. That bloud which shall without just cause be spilt in the death of a man Require i. e. Find out and punish Psal 9.12 Deut. 18.19 with Acts 3.23 Beast viz. That shall shed man's bloud This afterwards God made into a Law Exod. 21.28 Brother So every man is to another man which does aggravate the Sin of Murder 6. Sheddeth i. e. Wittingly and without just cause Compare Deut. 19.4 12. By man i. e. By the Magistrate to whom this properly belongs Rom. 13.4 By witnesses according to the sentence of the Judges says the Chaldee Paraphrast See Numb 35.19 29 30. Exod. 21.12 For in the image c. This also aggravates the Sin of Murder It is a great Trespass upon God as it destroys his likeness See ch 1.24 And Self-murder upon this account is forbid as well as Killing others 11. My Covenant Or Promise For it is an absolute promise on God's part Isa 54.19 that there shall not be any more such a Floud to destroy the Earth 13. Bow i. e. The Rain-bow as Josephus hath it This Bow was in its Causes before and did questionless exist but is not till now made a pledge or token of God's Covenant or Promise 14. In the cloud There from whence Men might reasonably have feared another Floud 15. To destroy all flesh Some Inundations or particular Flouds are no objection against God's veracity 16. Remember See the Note on ch 8.1 18. Of Canaan He had other Sons besides ch 10.6 But Canaan is here mentioned as the Head of a cursed Race and in order to the ensuing relation v. 25. 20. Began It is not implied that Noah was not an Husbandman before Compare Luk. 12.1 with Matt. 16.1 25. Canaan He is justly thought to be partaker in the sin with his Father and 't is not for nothing that he is twice named with him v. 18 22. and then no wonder that we find him under a Curse Prov. 30.17 and not his Brethren Noah foretells the Evils which should befall his Off-spring of which we read at large in the Book of Joshua A servant of servants i. e. A mean or vile servant See for the phrase Eccles 1.2 Thus the Lord of Lords is the supreme Lord. 26. Lord God Who is the Author of all the Blessings that Shem shall receive and is therefore to be praised Shem is here blessed in that God is said to be the Lord God of Shem. Compare Psal 144.15 27. God c. Noah fore-tells I. That God would give the greater part of the Earth in proportion to what Shem or Ham should possess to the Sons of Japheth This sence agrees best with the Hebrew Text and may be confirmed from chap. 10. II. That He would preserve his Church among the Off-spring of Shem which is expressed by dwelling in his tents God had his House among them and of that Race he sent his Son who dwelt or pitched his Tent among them Joh. 1.14 III. The servile and base condition of Canaan's Race And Canaan shall be his Servant CHAP. X. The ARGUMENT The Original of the several Nations which sprang from the Sons of Noah The numerous Off-spring of Japheth and their large Possessions The Posterity of Ham and more particularly of Nimrod The Children of Shem. 1. NOW these are the generations of the sons of Noah Shem Ham and Japheth and unto them were sons born after the floud 2. The sons of Japheth Gomer and Magog and Modai and Javen and Tubal and Meshech and Tiras 3. And the sons of Gomer Ashkeraz and Riphath and Togarmah 4. And the sons of Javan Elishah and Tarshish Kittim and Dodanim 5. By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands every one after his tongue after their families in their nations 6. And the sons of Ham Cush and Mizraim and Phut and Canaan 7. And the sons of Cush Seba and Havilah and Sabtah and Raamah and Sabtecha and the sons of Raamah Sheba and Dedan 8. And Cush begat Nimrod he began to be a mighty one in the earth 9. He was a mighty hunter before the LORD wherefore it is said Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD 10. And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel and Erech and Accad and Calneh in the land of Shinar 11. Out of that land went forth Ashur and builded Nineveh and the city Rehoboth and Calah 12. And Resen between Nineveh and Calah the same is a great city 13. And Mizraim begat Ludim and Anamim and Lehabim and Naphtuhim 14. And Pathrusim and Casluhim out of whom came Philistiim and Caphtorim 15. And Canaan begat Sidon his first born and Heth 16. And the Jebusite and the Emorite and the Girgasite 17. And the Hivite and the Arkite and the Sinite 18. And the Arvadite and the Zemarite and the Hamathite and afterward were the families of the Canaanites spread abroad 19. And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon as thou comest to Gerar unto Gaza as thou goest unto Sodom and Gomorrah and Admah and Zeboim even unto Lashah 20. These are the sons of Ham after their families after their tongues in there countries and in their nations 21. Vnto Shem also the father of all the children of Eber the brother of Japheth the elder even to him were children born 22. The children of Shem Elam and Ashur and Arphaxad and Lud and Aram. 23. And the children of Aram Vz and Hul and Gether and Mash 24. And Arphaxad begat Salah and Salah begat Eber. 25. And unto Eber were born two sons the name of one was Peleg for in his days was the earth divided and his brothers name was Joktan 26. And Joktan begat Almodad and Sheleph and Hazermaveth and Jerah 27. And Hadoram and Vzal and Diklah 28. And Obal and Abimael and Sheba 29. And Ophir and Havilah and Jobab all these were the sons of Joktan 30. And their dwelling was from Mesha as thou goest unto Sephar a mount of the east 31. These are the sons of Shem after their families after their tongues in their lands after their nations 32. These are the families of the sons of Noah after their generations in their nations and by these were the nations divided in the earth after the flood 2. Gomer See Ezek 38.6 Hence 't is thought the Cimbrians came Josephus expresly tells us that the Galatians came hence Joseph Antiq. l. 1. c. 7. Magog Whence came the Scythians says Josephus Compare Ezek. 38.2 3 15. and chap. 39.2 6. Madai Hence the Medes Joseph Javan From whom the Greeks sprang Iâ—â—ia according to Josephus comes hence Hence Greece is called Javan Isa 66.19 Dan. 8.21 and ch 10.21 Tubal Of whom says Josephus came the Iberians Meshech It hath been thought that the Moscovites Josephus expresly affirms that the Cappadocians sprang from Meshech Tiras Hence the
Thracians 3. Ashkenaz Josephus derives from him a People whom he calls 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Whatever they were it is probable that from that People who descended from Ashkenaz the Germans were afterwards derived Riphath Whence the Paphlagonians for so the Riphathaeans were called says Josephus Togarmah From whom the Phrygians 4. Elisha Hence the Aeolians says Josephus Tarshish Who gave name to Cilicia which was so called says Josephus There was also the City Tarsus Kittim The Hebrews says Josephus call all Islands and most Maritime places Kittim and that from Cyprus which he would have to be the seat of Javan's posterity here Dodanim 'T is thought that Epirus and part of Peloponnesus belonged to Dodanim 5. Isles of the Gentiles The Hebrew word which we render Isles does not onely signifie places encompassed by the Sea but remote places from whence they came by Sea Isa 40.15.42.4 with Matt. 12.21 Ezek. 27.3 1 Maccab. 14.5 After their families in their nations i. e. The several Families which made up the several Nations had a separate lot and portion in the Nation to which they belonged 6. Cush Hence the Aethiopians as is very commonly believed But yet it is very certain that some other people nearer to Canaan than Aethiopia were derived and denominated from Cush And they lived in Arabia toward the Red Sea It appears that Cush and Midian are joined together and seem to denote the same Country Hab. 3.7 The Wife of Moses is called a Cushite Numb 12. 1. who was a Woman of Midian Exod. 2.16 21. And that Cush denotes a Country near at hand and not Aethiopia which with respect to Canaan lay beyond Egypt will be evident to him who will take the pains diligently to compare the following places Ezek. 29.10 with Ezek. 30.9 and 2 Kings 19.9 and 2 Chron. 21.16 Isa 20.4 5. Isa 18.1 with Zephan 3.10 Mizraim The word denotes the Egyptians Phut From him the Inhabitants of Lybia Canaan From him the Canaanites 7. Seba From him the Sabeans had their Names 9. A mighty hunter before the Lord i. e. An open and great Tyrant and a bold Contemner of God See Jer. 16.16 10. Babel So called from the confusion of Languages ch 11. v. 9. Shinar So called as 't is thought because from thence the people were driven upon the confusion of Languages ch 11. v. 2. 11. Went forth Ashur Or he went into Assyria as it is in the Margent That is Nimrod went thither According to this rendring the Original is Elliptical So it is elsewhere in the like manner 2 Sam. 6.10 with 1 Chron. 13.13 2 Sam. 10.2 with 1 Chron. 19.2 12. The same i. e. Nineveh Jon. 1. Or perhaps Resen before mentioned which is thought to be the same with Larissa And then no wonder that Moses should call it a great City when Xenophon Expedit Cyri l. iij. calls it so in so many words and gives us a particular account of the greatness of its Walls c. 13. Ludim i. e. Lud and his Posterity the Ludims The form of that word as of several others that follow being plural and denoting several Nations probably in Africa 14. Out of whom came Philistim Heb. From thence the Philistims They were not of the Race of Canaan but of Mizraim Nor did they originally possess the Land of Canaan but were removed from Caphtor thither Amos 9.7 Jer. 47.4 15. Sidon Whence the City Sidon had its Name Heth From whom the Hittites of whom and of the following Race of Canaan see the Book of Joshua 21. The Father of all the children of Eber And so consequently the Father of the Hebrews who had their Name from him From him Abram is called an Hebrew Gen. 14.13 And his Posterity Hebrews Gen. 39.14 Exod. 1.15 16. It must notwithstanding be confessed that some have thought Eber in this place not to be a proper Name and that Abraham is called an Hebrew not from Eber as that is a proper Name but as it imports one that comes from beyond the River Euphrates And then what we render the children of Eber imports the Inhabitants beyond the River Euphrates 22. Elam From whom the Elamites or Persians Ashur From whom the Assyrians Arphaxad From whom the Chaldees says Josephus They are called Chasdim in the Hebrew but not from Chesed the Son of Nahor Gen. 22.22 For they were so called before his Birth Gen. 15.7 Lud From whom the Lydians Aram From whom the Aramites or Syrians 23. Vz See Job 1. v. 1. The Seat of the Idumeans Lam. 4.21 24. Eber See verse 21. 25. Peleg The Hebrew word imports division Divided i. e. The Inhabitants of the Earth were dispersed upon the Confusion of Languages ch 11. which gave occasion to his Name he being born at that time says Josephus 26. Joktan These Sons of Joktan Josephus placeth in the Indies from the River Cophen Ophir is one of his Sons and from his Land in India Solomon's Ships fetched Gold c. 2 Chron. 9.10 CHAP. XI The ARGUMENT The inhabitants of the Earth speak all one language They proudly attempt the building of a city and and high Tower Their language is confounded The city called Babel and from thence they are scattered upon the face of all the Earth The great age and death of Shem. Of his posterity to Abram Abram comes from Ur to Haran The age and death of Terah the father of Abram 1. AND the whole earth was of one language and of one speech 2. And it came to pass as they journeyed from the east that they found a plain in the land of Shinar and they dwelt there 3. And they said one to another Go to let us make brick and burn them throughly And they had brick for stone and slime had they for mortar 4. And they said Go to let us build us a city and a tower whose top may reach unto heaven and let us make us a name lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth 5. And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower which the children of men builded 6. And the LORD said Behold the people is one and they have all one language and this they begin to do and now nothing will be restrained from them which they have imagined to do 7. Go to let us go down and there confound their language that they may not understand one anothers speech 8. So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth and they left off to build the city 9. Therefore is the name of it called Babel because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth 10. These are the generations of Shem Shem was an hundred years old and begat Arphaxad two years after the floud 11. And Shem lived after he begat Arphaxad five hundred years and begat sons and daughters 12. And Arphaxad lived
that bless thee and curse him that curseth thee and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed 4. So Abram departed as the LORD had spoken unto him and Lot went with him and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran 2083. 1922. 5. And Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his brothers son and all their substance that they had gathered and the souls that they had gotten in Haran and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan and into the land of Canaan they came 6. And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem unto the plain of Moreh And the Canaanite was then in the land 7. And the LORD appeared unto Abram and said Vnto thy seed will I give this land and there builded he an altar unto the LORD who appeared unto him 8. And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent having Beth-el on the west and Hai on the east and there he builded an altar unto the LORD and called upon the Name of the LORD 9. And Abram journeyed going on still toward the south 10. And there was a famine in the land and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there for the famine was grievous in the land 11. And it came to pass when he was come near to enter into Egypt that he said unto Sarai his wife Behold now I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon 12. Therefore it shall come to pass when the Egyptians shall see thee that they shall say This is his wife and they will kill me but they will save thee alive 13. Say I pray thee thou art my sister that it may be well with me for thy sake and my soul shall live because of thee 14. And it came to pass that when Abram was come into Egypt the Egyptians beheld the woman that she was very fair 15. The Princes also of Pharaoh saw her and commended her before Pharaoh and the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house 16. And he intreated Abram well for her sake and he had sheep and oxen and he-asses and men servants and maid-servants and she-asses and camels 17. And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram's wife 18. And Pharaoh called Abram and said What is this that thou hast done unto me Why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife 19. Why saidst thou She is my sister so I might have taken her to me to wife now therefore behold thy wife take her and go thy way 20. And Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him and they sent him away and his wife and all that he had 1. HAD said viz. Before he came to Haran Act. 7.2 3. with Gen. 11.31 Get thee out i. e. Go thou at least whether thy Relatives go with thee or no So it follows Of thy country and from thy kindred and from thy father's house I will shew thee God did not tell him whither and Abram's obedience was therefore the greater argument of his faith in God that he went out not knowing whither he went Heb. 11.8 with Isa 41.2 2. Great Nation i. e. The Head and Father of a great Nation See ch 17. v. 4. Bless thee viz. In all things ch 24. v. 1. Not onely with Temporal but Spiritual Blessings Gal. 3.9 14. Thy Name i. e. Thy Renown and Fame I will make great See ch 23.6 and ch 6.4 with the Note on ch 11.4 Thou shalt be Or be thou as it is in the Hebrew 3. And I will c. God in this promise to Abram assures him that he will not onely bless him but his friends and that he that should be Abram's enemy should be cursed In thee i. e. In thy seed ch 22. v. 18. And that Seed is Christ Gal. 3.16 Act. 3.25 All the families i. e. Not onely the Jews and those that descended from Abram according to the flesh but all the faithfull Rom. 4.11 Gal. 3.7 9. 4. So Abram i. e. Upon this Promise or Covenant on God's part Abram departed first from Vr and then after his father's death from Haran Here begin the 430 Years mentioned Exod. 12.40 41. Gal. 3.17 2083. 1922. 5. The souls that they had gotten i. e. The Persons which they had gotten the possession of Their Domesticks and especially their Servants who were part of their Possessions The word we render Souls signifies Persons ch 14. v. 21. And Servants ch 36. v. 6. Rev. 18.13 And the word we here render gotten signifies to procure or get the possession of a thing Deut. 8.17 The Jews add that these Souls which they had gotten were instructed in the true Religion which opinion of theirs as it is very ancient and constantly received among them so it is so far from being inconsistent with the Text that it will appear highly probable to him that compares ch 14 v. 14. ch 17. v. 23. with ch 18. v. 19. 6. The place of Sichem i. e. The place where afterwards Sichem was See ch 34. v. 24. Plain of Moreh i. e. A Plain beset perhaps with Oaks called Moreh of which see ch 35.4 Josh 24.25 26. Jud. 9.6 Canaanite Abram's worshipping the true God among this wicked people was the more commendable and for that reason it may be mentioned in this place By Canaanite in this place is probably meant some particular Tribe or Families more specially so called who in Abram's time dwelt in that part of the Country For sometime the word Canaanite is to be taken in that restrained sence as Gen. 13. v. 7. Exod. 3.8 17. It is evident that those are reckoned as a distinct Tribe or People from the Canaanites who were yet the Off-spring of Canaan and consequently Canaanites Compare Gen. 10.15 7. An Altar For Sacrifice To which we may suppose him moved by the promise above mentioned Appeared See ch 13.3 4. 8. Beth-el It is the name of a place called Luz and after this Beth-el which word signifies the House of God ch 28. v. 19. Tent He did not build an House being but a Sojourner in a strange Land Heb. 11.9 Called upon i. e. Worshipped Prayed says the Chaldee 11. To look upon i. e. Of Aspect She was now but about her middle age ch 23.1 had born no children and may well be supposed of that vigour and comeliness which might be a temptation to the Egyptian people 13. My sister And so she was But of that see the Notes on ch 20. v. 12. My soul shall live i. e. I shall be spared and well used Because of thee Because of thy words says the Chaldee 15. Pharaoh This is the common name of the Kings of Egypt for a long time after 17. With great Plagues Josephus tells us that it was with disease and sedition It is probable that a disease was at least part of the infliction God here made good his promise to Abram v. 3. Compare Psal
promised it to him even his Seed ch 13. v. 15 17. he desires to know who of his Seed shall inherit it and when He questions not God's veracity but desires a more distinct knowledge of this matter And the following words fully answer this request of his 9. Take me c. These creatures were clean and fit for Sacrifice But seem not here made use of for Sacrifice but for Confirmation of God's Covenant and Promise Compare Jer. 34.18 10. Divided he not When they were used in Sacrifice they were not to be divided by the Law made afterwards 11. Fowls The Hebrew word is fowl and seems to imply some one of the more ravenous sort and is a fit representation of Pharaoh who afflicted Abram's seed Compare Ezek. 17.3 7 12. And one of the Chaldee Paraphrasts expounds fowls here by the Idolatrous people Carkases A fit resemblance of the afflicted condition of Abram's posterity Drove them away He put them to flight says the Chaldee 12. Horror of great darkness A token of the affliction of his feed predicted in the next verse Compare Esther 8.16 and Psal 88.6 and Psal 107.14 13. Four hundred years This time begins at the birth of Isaac and ends at the Israelites departure out of Egypt And in this space three things were to befall Abram's seed which are here distinctly named as also Act. 7.6 I. That it should be a stranger in a land not theirs and so Isaac and Jacob were II. That they should serve And so they did in Egypt ch 47.6 with Exod. 1.11 III. That they should be afflicted And so the Israelites were very greatly a considerable time before they came out of Egypt From the birth of Isaac to the coming out of Egypt were Four hundred years which appears thus From Isaac's birth to that of Jacob were Sixty years ch 25.26 Thence to the birth of Joseph were Ninety ch 41.46 with ch 45.6 11.41.30 and 47.9 Thence to Joseph's death One hundred and ten years ch 50. v. 26. Thence to the birth of Moses Sixty years which space of time the undoubted beginning and end of these Four hundred years require Thence to the Eightieth year of Moses when they came out of Egypt Eighty years In all Four hundred years 14. Judge i. e. Punish See the Book of Exodus and Psal 105.27 28 c. Substance Compare Exodus 12.35 15. And thou c. q. d. But though thy posterity shall be thus afflicted thou shalt die in peace and full of years ch 25.8 16. In the fourth generation The fourth generation Hebr. i. e. The fourth from the descent into Egypt Thus was Caleb the fourth from Judah 1 Chron. 2. And Aaron and Moses the fourth descent from Levi Exod. 6.16 18 20. Amorites These are named being very considerable for their power Amos 2.9 And those among whom Abram lived ch 13.18 and ch 14.13 Not yet full There is a certain measure of wickedness beyond which God will not spare a sinfull Land And though the seasons of punishing Nations with a general ruine be known to God onely yet when a Land adds to its Sins it does both hasten and assure to it self destruction Compare Jer. 51.13 Matt. 23.32 1 Thessal 2.16 with Ezek. 14.14 17. And it came to pass that when the sun went down and it was dark behold a smoaking furnace and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces 18. In that same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram saying Vnto thy seed have I given this land from the river of Egypt unto the great river the river Euphrates 19. The Kenites and the Kenizites and the Kadmonites 20. And the Hittites and the Perizzites and the Rephaims 21. And the Amorites and the Canaanites and the Girgashites and the Jebusites CHAP. XVI The ARGUMENT Sarai bearing no children gives Hagar to Abram she conceives and despiseth her mistress and being therefore hardly used by her fled from her An Angel meets her and puts her upon returning and submitting to Sarai He foretells her the birth of a son directs her what to call him and describes his temper c. Of the place where the Angel met her The birth of Ishmael 1. NOW Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children and she had an handmaid an Egyptian whose name was Hagar 2. And Sarai said unto Abram Behold now the LORD hath restrained me from bearing I pray thee go in unto my maid it may be that I may obtain children by her and Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai 3. And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife 4. And he went in unto Hagar and she conceived and when she saw that she had conceived her mistress was despised in her eyes 5. And Sarai said unto Abram My wrong be upon thee I have given my maid into thy bosom and when she saw that she had conceived I was despised in her eyes the LORD judge between me and thee 6. But Abram said unto Sarai Behold thy maid is in thy hand do to her as it pleaseth thee And when Sarai dealt hardly with her she fled from her face 7. And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness by the fountain in the way to Shur 8. And he said Hagar Sarai's maid whence camest thou and whither wilt thou go and she said I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai 9. And the angel of the LORD said unto her Return to thy mistress and submit thy self under her hands 10. And the angel of the LORD said unto her I will multiply thy seed exceedingly that it shall not be numbred for multitude 11. And the angel of the LORD said unto her Behold thou art with child and shalt bear a son and shalt call his name Ishmael because the LORD hath heard thy affliction 12. And he will be a wild man his hand will be against every man and every man's han against him and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren 13. And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her Thou God seest me for she said Have I also here looked after him that seeth me 14. Wherefore the well was called Beer-lahairoi Behold it is between Cadesh and Bered 15. And Hagar bare Abram a son and Abram called his son's name which Hagar bare Ishmael 16. And Abram was fourscore and six years old when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram 1. SArai Notwithstanding the foregoing promises Sarai did not bear any Child Nor had God as yet promised that she should Besides she is now Seventy five years old and not likely to bear any v. 3. Hand-maid Or Bond-woman ch 21.10 Gal. 4.30 2. Restrained Lo children are an heritage of the Lord Psal 127.3 Obtain children by her Or be builded by her v. 4. Compare Ruth 4.11 with the Note on Exod. 1.21 3. Ten years And was
the fear of God is not in this place and they will slay me for my wife's sake 12. And yet indeed she is my sister she is the daughter of my father but not the daughter of my mother and she became my wife 13. And it came to pass when God caused me to wander from my father's house that I said unto her This is thy kindness which thou shalt shew unto me at every place whither we shall come say of me He is my brother 14. And Abimelech took sheep and oxen and men-servants and women-servants and gave them unto Abraham and restored him Sarah his wife 15. And Abimelech said Behold my land is before thee dwell where it pleaseth thee 16. And unto Sarah he said Behold I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver behold he is to thee a covering of the eyes unto all that are with thee and with all other thus she was reproved 17. So Abraham prayed unto God and God healed Abimelech and his wife and his maid-servants and they bare children 18. For the LORD had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech because of Sarah Abraham's wife 1. FRom thence i. e. From the Plains of Mamre ch 18. v. 1. He removed as is probable upon occasion of the destruction of Sodom of which he was an Eye-witness ch 19. 27 28. Gerar viz. In the Country of the Philistines ch 26. v. 1. When it was that the matter here spoken of happened is not certain because not revealed The reason why this relation comes in in this place is obvious enough We have another instance here we have one in the foregoing Chapter that God was not prone to destroy the innocent and righteous We must not suppose the order of time observed in this relation though the likeness of the argument be 'T is probable this might happen not long after Abraham came from Egypt We have not yet the account of Isaac's birth and have no reason to believe that Sarah was in Egypt where she staid some time v. 17 18. whiles she was big with Isaac That would not be a fit time for this journey besides her condition in that case might soon have been discovered What year of Abraham's and Sarah's life this happened in is not certain 2. Said This was mutually agreed on See ch 12. 13. and v. 5. of this Chapter Took Sarah Supposing her at liberty and with an intention to make her his Wife See v. 6. 3. God came i. e. God did reveal himself to Abimelech Ps 105.14 In a dream by night This was no natural and ordinary dream which is commonly attended with vanity Eccles 5.7 Isa 29.7 8. and therefore not to be heeded But a super-natural one sent by God and bringing with it its evidence and assurance This is one of the ways by which God revealed himself to his Prophets Numb 12.6 And sometimes he thus revealed himself to those whom he had not chosen for his peculiar people for the benefit of those whom he had thus chosen As to Pharaoh Nebuchadnezzar and Abimelech c. A dead man i. e. Thou shalt certainly die But then there is a condition implied in this as in other threats viz. If he did not restore unto Abraham his Wife v. 7. See Jonah 3.4 Ezek. 33.14 15. Besides the words imply what punishment Adultery deserves in God's account 4. Near her See verse 6. A righteous Nation i. e. People who are innocent See v. 17 18. 5. Integrity Or Sincerity Being far from designing any injury to another man 6. With-held Or Restrained See v. 17. To touch her See ch 26.11 1 Cor. 7.1 Prov. 6.29 and v. 4. of this Chapter 7. For he is a Prophet And therefore not to be injured Psal 105.15 and also the fitter Person to pray for him Jer. 27.18 8. Sore afraid Being terrified probably by the Divine Judgment upon Sodom 11. The fear of God c. This fear of God being the great restraint upon men's lusts and passions By the fear of the Lord men depart from evil Prov. 16.6 12. She is my sister And Lot is called his brother ch 13.8 Sarah was the daughter of Haran who died before Terah ch 11.28 Sarah her Father being dead might well be said to be the Daughter of Terah Abraham's Father and consequently his Sister Grand-children among the Eastern people were reputed and called the Children of their Grand-fathers or Grand-mothers Gen. 31.28 and 46.18 25. 1 Kings 15.10 Not the daughter of my Mother Haran and Abraham not having the fame Mother 13. And it came c. In these words he lets Abimelech know that it was not agreed upon onely at his coming to Gerar to impose upon him but several years before that 16. Brother As Sarah had called him A thousand pieces of Silver Or a thousand Shekels as the Chaldee hath it A Shekel of Silver is of our Money two shillings and four gence farthing and a little more Behold he is to thee a covering of the eyes i. e. Abraham thy Husband shall be to thee as a covering of the Eyes Those Women who are veiled or covered are not exposed as the uncovered to the view and unchast desires of those who see them An Husband may be very fitly called as Abraham is here a veil or covering of the Eyes Agreeably hereunto we find that married Women were covered with a veil Gen. 24.65 And that veil was a sign of subjection 1 Cor. 11.10 Perhaps Sarah had left off her veil that she might not be thought Abraham's Wife However Abimelech puts her in mind that she was a Wife which we yet express by being under Coverture and that therefore she ought not to expose her self to those that were with her or to any others Thus she was reproved These seem to be the words of Moses not Abimelech In which he tells us how Abimelech reproved Sarah 17. Prayed As was said v. 7. 18. Sarah To whom God had promised a Son by Abraham ch 17.19 And whom he therefore protected from being violated by Abimelech v. 3 17. he having taken her v. 2. CHAP. XXI The ARGUMENT The birth and circumcision of Isaac The joy of Sarah thereupon Hagar and Ishmael are sent away by Abraham Hagar in great distress is relieved Abraham and Abimelech enter into Covenant The place where this was done called Beersheba Abraham plants a Grove 2108. 1896. 1. AND the LORD visited Sarah as he had said and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken 2. For Sarah conceived and bare Abraham a son in his old age at the set time of which God had spoken to him 3. And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him whom Sarah bare to him Isaac 4. And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old as God had commanded him 5. And Abraham was an hundred years old when his son Isaac was born unto him 6. And Sarah said God hath made me to laugh so that all
Levit. 19.11 25. A Well of water Which in those dry and hot Countries was a matter of no small moment especially in the South-part of Canaan where Abraham now was Judg. 1.15 27. Gave In token of amity or as an expression of gratitude ch 20.14 30. Witness i. e. Thy acceptance of these seven Lambs shall be an acknowledgment that this Well which I have digged belongs to me ch 31. v. 48. 31. Beer-sheba i. e. The Well of the Oath Or the Well of Seven Hebr. This place seems to be so called for a double cause viz. Both because Abraham gave seven Lambs to Abimelech and because they swore there vid. Hieron quaest in Genes and then we may well suppose the words Elliptical and that of a copula before Because which is to be understood q. d. And because See examples to this purpose in Exod. 1.2 and Hab. 3.11 33. A Grove Or Tree By what follows it appears that he planted it for a Religious use 'T is very likely that from his example others affected to do the like till at length they which used to do so ran into superstition and a conceit that God was more peculiarly present in such places and that thereupon it was afterward forbidden in the Law of Moses See Deut. 12.2 3. and 16.21 CHAP. XXII The ARGUMENT Abraham's faith and obedience is tryed and approved by his readiness to offer up his Son Isaac at God's command He is restrained from doing it and offers up a Ram in his stead The name of the place where Abraham did it God's blessing to Abraham is renewed and confirmed by an oath He returns to Beer-sheba An account of Nahor's children by Milcah and by Reumah 2133. 1871. 1. AND it came to pass after these things that God did tempt Abraham and said unto him Abraham And he said Behold here I am 2. And he said Take now thy son thine only son Isaac whom thou lovest and get thee unto the land of Moriah and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of 3. And Abraham rose up early in the morning and sadled his ass and took two of his young men with him and Isaac his son and clâ—ve the wood for the burnt-offering and rose up and went unto the place of which God had told him 4. Then on the third day Abraham lift up his eyes and saw the place a far off 5. And Abraham said unto his young men Abide you here with the ass and I and the lad will go yonder and worship and come again to you 6. And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it upon Isaac his son and he took the fire in his hand and a knife and they went both of them together 7. And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father and said My father and he said Here am I my son And he said Behold the fire and the wood but where is the lamb for a burnt-offering 8. And Abraham said My son God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt-offering so they went both of them together 9. And they came to the place which God had told him of and Abraham built an altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar upon the wood 10. And Abraham stretched forth his hand and took the knife to slay his son 11. And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven and said Abraham Abraham And he said Here am I. 12. And he said Lay not thine hand upon the lad neither do thou any thing unto him for now I know that thou fearest God seeing thou hast not withheld thy son thine only son from me 13. And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns and Abraham went and took the ram and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son 14. And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh as it is said to this day In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen 15. And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time 16. And said By my self have I sworn saith the LORD for because thou hast done this thing and hast not withheld thy son thine only son 17. That in blessing I will bless thee and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is upon the sea shore and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies 18. And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed because thou hast obeyed my voice 19. So Abraham returned unto his young men and they rose up and went together to Beer-sheba and Abraham dwelt at Beer-sheba 20. And it came to pass after these things that it was told Abraham saying Behold Milcah she hath also born children unto thy brother Nahor 21. Huz his first born and Buz his brother and Kemuel the father of Aram 22. And Chesed and Hazo and Pildash and Jidlaph and Bethuel 23. And Bethuel begat Rebekah these eight Milcah did bear to Nahor Abraham's brother 24. And his concubine whose name was Reumah she bare also Tebah and Gaham and Thahash and Maachah 1. TEmpt Or 2133. 1871. prove and try him as that word used here signifies Deut. 8.2 and 13.3 that it might be known to others what Abraham was See v. 12. 2. Thine onely Son He was the onely Son which he had by Sarah and his onely Heir and Ishmael being cast out the onely Son now in his family See Heb. 11.17 Gen. 21.10 14. Though it be also true that onely signifies no more than beloved sometime And in that sense the word may be taken here vid. 1 Chron. 29.1 The land of Moriah The high land as the Greek render it it being a mountainous place The Vulgar renders it a land of Vision the reason of which may be had from v. 14. And the Chaldee by a Prolepsis calls it the land of Worship For there Abraham worshipped v. 5 13. and there was afterwards built a Temple for the Worship of God 2 Chron. 3.1 Burnt-offering An Offering that was to be intirely consumed with fire Levit. 6.9 3. Early So forward was he in his Obedience to God 4. Third day i. e. From his setting out So long a time had Abraham to consider and deliberate 5. And come again to you Abraham believed that God was able to raise up Isaac from the dead Heb. 11.19 6. Vpon Isaac Isaac was then Five and twenty years old saith Josephus In his bearing the Wood on which he was to be sacrificed he was as in many other things a Type of Christ who bore his Cross 8. God will provide He assures him of God's all-powerfull and wise Providence Nor was he deceived v. 13. From this Providence of God the place had its â—ame v. 14. 9. Bound That he might
not afterward through fear or pain disturb or defeat the work Abraham was about and not because Isaac was unwilling Laid him Disposed him in order to the execution of God's command Hence Abraham is said to have offered Isaac upon the Altar Jam. 2.21 10. To slay his son i. e. In order to the sacrificing him which he had done had he not been restrained by God and is therefore said to have offered him up Heb. 11.17 11. Angel of the Lord This person speaks as God v. 12. and v. 16. See the Notes on ch 16. v. 7. 12. Now I know Knowing in the Scripture-phrase sometimes signifies as much as discovering or making a thing known And this is the sense of the Hebrew word not onely here but in other places Thus God is said to prove the Israelites as he is said here to tempt Abraham to know whether they loved him i. e. to discover and make it known Deut. 13.3 with the Chaldee and Vulgar and the Psalmist prays Search me O God and know my heart try me and know my thoughts Psal 139.23 Where knowing imports as here discovering or making known For the Psalmist had said before v. 2. Thou knowest my down-sitting and up-rising thou understandest my thought a-far off Compare Deut. 8.2 Exod. 33.5 2 Chron. 32.31 Abraham's Faith and Obedience was now made known 14. Jehovah-jireh i. e. The Lord will see or provide God having there provided a Ram for a Sacrifice in the stead of Isaac Compare v. 8. Hence in after-times it grew into a Proverb among the Hebrews as Hieronymus in his Questions on Genesis tells us that when they were in great straits and begged the Divine Aid they were wont to say In the mountain God will see or provide By which they expressed their Faith in God that he would be mercifull unto them as he was to their Father Abraham 16. By my self c. Because he could swear by no greater he sware by himself Heb. 6.13 Whence it is evident that it is God who swears 17. The gate i. e. The Gates and they are put for the Cities themselves according to the Version of the Chaldee and Greek which will be much confirmed by comparing Deut. 12.15 and Deut. 18.6 18. In thy seed i. e. In Christ Gal. 3.16 19. Beer-sheba See ch 21.31 20. Milcah She was Sarah's Sister and Abraham's Brother's Wife Compare ch 11. v. 29. 21. Aram Of the same name with Aram ch 10. v. 22. the Son of Shem from whom the Syrians had their Original and their Name 24. Concubine The Hebrew word imports division She was an half-wife not being taken with Dowry nor into the government of the family CHAP. XXIII The ARGUMENT Sarah's age and death Abraham's care of her burial To that purpose he buys a burying place of Ephron and buries her there 1. AND Sarah was an hundred and seven and twenty years old these were the years of the life of Sarah 2. And Sarah died in Kirjath-arba the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her 3. And Abraham stood up from before his dead and spake unto the sons of Heth saying 4. I am a stranger and a sojourner with you give me a possession of a burying place with you that I may bury my dead out of my sight 5. And the children of Heth answered Abraham saying unto him 6. Hear us my lord thou art a mighty prince amongst us in the choice of our sepulchers bury thy dead none of us shall withhold from thee his sepulchre but that thou mayest bury thy dead 7. And Abraham stood up and bowed himself to the people of the land even to the children of Heth. 8. And he communed with them saying If it be your mind that I should bury my dead out of my sight hear me and entreat for me to Ephron the son of Zohar 9. That he may give me the cave of Machpelah which he hath which is in the end of his field for as much money as it is worth he shall give it me for a possession of a burying place amongst you 10. And Ephron dwelled amongst the children of Heth. And Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the audience of the children of Heth even of all that went in at the gates of his city saying 11. Nay my lord hear me the field give I thee and the cave that is therein I give it thee in the presence of the sons of my people give I it thee bury thy dead 12. And Abraham bowed down himself before the people of the land 13. And he spake unto Ephron in the audience of the people of the land saying But if thou wilt give it I pray thee hear me I will give thee money for the field take it of me and I will bury my dead there 14. And Ephron answered Abraham saying unto him 15. My lord hearken unto me the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver what is that betwixt me and thee bury therefore thy dead 16. And Abraham hearkned unto Ephron and Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver which he had named in the audience of the sons of Heth four hundred shekels of silver currant money with the merchant 17. And the field of Ephron which was in Machpelah which was before Mamre the field and the cave which was therein and all the trees that were in the field that were in all the borders round about were made sure 18. Vnto Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth before all that went in at the gate of his city 19. And after this Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan 20. And the field and the cave that is therein were made sure unto Abraham for a possession of a burying place by the sons of Heth. 1. OF Sarah She is the onely Woman whose Age is reckon'd in the holy Scripture 2. Kirjath-arba Or the City of Arba. This place was in Abraham's time called Mamre v. 19. and afterwards Hebron as also Kirjath-arba from a Man called Arba Josh 14.15 This City was in the Hill-country of Judah Josh 21.11 The same is Hebron This is no objection against Moses his being the Pen-man of this book Joshua indeed does say that the name of Hebron before or in old time as that word is rendred Deut. 2.20 was Kirjath-arba Josh 14.15 But does not say that it was not called Hebron till his time nor does he give any account either of the time when or of the reason for which it was called Hebron Came to mourn Possibly into the Tent of Sarah where she died For as Lot had several Tents ch 13. v. 5. so had Abraham and one particularly for Sarah ch 24.67 See ch 31.33 Weep The excess of sorrow is onely forbid 1 Thess 4.13 it not being otherwise inconsistent with the greatest degree of faith Joh. 11.35 3. From
of all the goods of his Master in his hand i. e. He took not onely ten Camels but of the rest of Abraham's goods which were under his trust and care See v. 53. and ch 39. v. 4. Mesopotamia It signifies a place in the midst of Rivers and denotes that part of Syria largely taken called for that reason Aram-naharaim The place is called Padan-aram ch 25. v. 20. City of Nahor i. e. The City where he dwelt viz. Haran Compare ch 27.43 and ch 28.10 and ch 29.4 14. Let it come to pass c. This was not said without the Divine direction which Abraham had before assured him of v. 7. See the like cases in Judg. 6.17 37. 1 Sam. 14.9 16. Virgin This is sufficiently explained by what follows 22. Of half a shekel weight See the Note on ch 20.16 and Exod. 38.26 23. Lodge in As he did before v. 17. so he now makes trial of her hospitality and kindness a vertue very agreeable to his Master's practice ch 18. v. 4 5. 26. Worshipped This is more than bowing of the head and implies at least the prostration of the whole body v. 52. Exod. 4.31 Compare Matt. 8.2 with Luk. 5.12 28. Her Mother's house Or apartment The Women had in those times their separate tents and abiding-places See the Note on chap. 23. v. 2. 32. He ungirded i. e. Laban or Laban's Servants says Josephus See the like manner of speech ch 37.28 36. All that he hath Having made him his Heir ch 21.10 12. and ch 25.5 6. 50. Laban and Bethuel Laban the Son is named before his Father and v. 55. without him It is probable that Bethuel left the management of affairs to Laban himself being aged and infirm and not much concerning himself in the affairs of his House 53. Precious things viz. Out of that store mentioned v. 10. 57. Enquire at her mouth i. e. Ask her consent as to this sudden departure 59. Her Nurse viz. Deborah chap. 35.8 60. Sister So she was to Laban and being of that family might well be called by reason of her Consanguinity a Sister to the rest of her kindred 63. To meditate Or to pray the Hebrew word will well bear that sense Compare Psal 102. v. 1. which yet does not exclude Meditation accompanying it 65. Therefore she took a veil As the manner was for Women to do upon their marrying in token of subjection See 1 Cor. 11.10 and the Notes upon Gen. 20.16 67. Sarah's Tent Which she had apart by herself See v. 28. His Mother's death This happened three years before as appears by comparing Gen. 17.7 with ch 23. v. 1. and chap. 25. v. 20. CHAP. XXV The ARGUMENT The Posterity of Abraham by Keturah Abraham disposeth of his Goods dies and is buried God bâ—â—sseth Isaac The Posterity of Ishmael his Death and the place of his Posterity's abode Rebekah is barren Isaac prays for her She conceived and brought forth Jacob and Esau A very different account given of them Esau sold his birth-right to Jacob. 1. THen again Abraham took a wife and her name was Keturah 2. And she bare him Zimran and Jokshan and Medan and Midian and Ishbak and Shuah 3. And Jokshan begat Sheba and Dedan And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim and Letushim and Leummim 4. And the sons of Midian Ephah and Epher and Hanoch and Abidah and Eldaah all these were the children of Keturah 5. And Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac 6. But unto the sons of the concubines which Abraham had Abraham gave gifts and sent them away from Isaac his son while he yet lived eastward unto the east country 7. And these are the days of the years of Abraham's life which he lived an hundred threescore and fifteen years 2183. 1821. 8. Then Abraham gave up the ghost and died in a good old age an old man and full of years and was gathered to his people 9. And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite which is before Mamre 10. The field which Abraham purchased of the sons of Heth there was Abraham buried and Sarah his wife 11. And it came to pass after the death of Abraham that God blessed his son Isaac and Isaac dwelt by the well Lahai-roi 12. Now these are the generations of Ishmael Abraham's son whom Hagar the Egyptian Sarah's hand-maid bare unto Abraham 13. And these are the names of the sons of Ishmael by their names according to their generations the first born of Ishmael Nebaioth and Kedar and Adbeel and Mibsam 14. And Mishma and Dumah and Massa 15. Hadar and Tema Jetur Naphish and Kedemah 16. These are the sons of Ishmael and these are their names by their towns and by their castles twelve princes according to their nations 17. And these are the years of the life of Ishmael an hundred and thirty and seven years and he gave up the ghost and died and was gathered unto his people 18. And thy dwelt from Havilah unto Shur that is before Egypt as thou goest towards Assyria and he died in the presence of all his brethren 19. And these are the generations of Isaac Abraham's son Abraham begat Isaac 20. And Isaac was fourty years old when he took Rebekah to wife the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padan-Aram the sister to Laban the Syrian 21. And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife because she was barren and the LORD was intreated of him and Rebekah his wife conceived 22. And the children strugled together within her and she said If it be so why am I thus And she went to enquire of the LORD 23. And the LORD said unto her Two nations are in thy womb and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels and the one people shall be stronger then the other people and the elder shall serve the younger 24. And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled behold there were twins in her womb 2168. 1836. 25. And the first came out red all over like an hairy garment and they called his name Esau 26. And after that came his brother out and his hand took hold on Esau's heel and his name was called Jacob and Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them 27. And the boys grew and Esau was a cunning hunter a man of the field and Jacob was a plain man dwelling in tents 28. And Isaac loved Esau because he did eat of his venison but Rebekah loved Jacob. 29. And Jacob sod pottage and Esau came from the field and he was faint 30. And Esau said to Jacob Feed me I pray thee with that same red pottage for I am faint therefore was his name called Edom. 31. And Jacob said Sell me this day thy birth-right 32. And Esau said Behold I am at the point to die and what profit shall this birth-right do to me 33. And Jacob said Swear to me this day and he sware
his Father's advice says Josephus and contrary to the direction of his Parents and Superiors see ch 24.3 and 27.46 and 28.1 6 8. and it is expressly said that this occasioned a grief of mind unto Isaac and Rebekah v. 35. CHAP. XXVII The ARGUMENT Isaac sendeth Esau for Venison with the hope of receiving his blessing Jacob being directed and assisted by his mother prevents his brother Esau and obtains the blessing Esau returns to his father from hunting with expectation of the blessing Isaac refuseth to reverse the blessing which he had given to Jacob. Esau hates Jacob and designs his death Jacob escapes by his mother's advice She is grieved at the daughters of Heth. 1. AND it came to pass that when Isaac was old 2245. 1760. and his eyes were dim so that he could not see he called Esau his eldest son and said unto him My son and he said unto him Behold here am I. 2. And he said Behold now I am old I know not the day of my death 3. Now therefore take I pray thee thy weapons thy quiver and thy bow and go out to the field and take me some venison 4. And make me savoury meat such as I love and bring it to me that I may eat that my soul may bless thee before I die 5. And Rebekah heard when Isaac spake to Esau his son and Esau went to the field to hunt for venison and to bring it 6. And Rebekah spake unto Jacob her son saying Behold I heard thy father speak unto Esau thy brother saying 7. Bring venison and make me savoury meat that I may eat and bless thee before the LORD before my death 8. Now therefore my son obey my voice according to that which I command thee 9. Go now to the flock and fetch me from thence two good kids of the goats and I will make them savoury meat for thy father such as he loveth 10. And thou shalt bring it to thy father that he may eat and that he may bless thee before his death 11. And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother Behold Esau my brother is an hairy man and I am a smooth man 12. My father peradventure will feel me and I shall seem to him as a deceiver and I shall bring a curse upon me and not a blessing 13. And his mother said unto him Vpon me be thy curse my son only obey my voice and go fetch me them 14. And he went and fetched and brought them to his mother and his mother made savoury meat such as his father loved 15. And Rebekah took goodly raiment of her eldest son Esau which were with her in the house and put them upon Jacob her younger son 16. And she put the skins of the kids of the goats upon his hands and upon the smooth of his neck 17. And she gave the savoury meat and the bread which she had prepared into the hand of her son Jacob. 18. And he came unto his father and said My father And he said Here am I who art thou my son 19. And Jacob said unto his father I am Esau thy first-born I have done according as thou badest me arise I pray thee sit and eat of my venison that thy soul may bless me 20. And Isaac said unto his son How is it that thou hast found it so quickly my son And he said Because the LORD thy God brought it to me 21. And Isaac said unto Jacob Come near I pray thee that I may feel thee my son whether thou be my very son Esau or not 22. And Jacob went near unto Isaac his father and he felt him and said The voice is Jacob's voice but the hands are the hands of Esau 23. And he discerned him not because his hands were hairy as his brother Esau's hands So he blessed him 24. And he said Art thou my very son Esau And he said I am 25. And he said Bring it near to me and I will eat of my son's venison that my soul may bless thee and he brought it near to him and he did eat and he brought him wine and he drank 26. And his father Isaac said unto him Come near now and kiss me my son 27. And he came near and kissed him and he smelled the smell of his raiment and blessed him and said See the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the LORD hath blessed 28. Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven and of the fatness of the earth and plenty of corn and wine 29. Let people serve thee and nations bow down to thee be lord over thy brethren and let thy mother's sons bow down to thee cursed be every one that curseth thee and blessed be he that blesseth thee 30. And it came to pass assoon as Isaac had made an end of blessing Jacob and Jacob was yet scarce gone out from the presence of Isaac his father that Esau his brother came in from his hunting 31. And he also had made savoury meat and brought it unto his father and said unto his father Let my father arise and eat of his son's venison that thy soul may bless me 32. And Isaac his father said unto him Who art thou And he said I am thy son thy first-born Esau 33. And Isaac trembled very exceedingly and said Who where is he that hath taken venison and brought it me and I have eaten of all before thou camest and have blessed him yea and he shall be blessed 34. And when Esau heard the words of his father he cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry and said unto his father Bless me even me also O my father 35. And he said Thy brother came with subtilty and hath taken away thy blessing 36. And he said Is not he rightly named Jacob for he hath supplanted me these two times he took away my birth-right and behold now he hath taken away my blessing and he said hast thou not reserved a blessing for me 37. And Isaac answered and said unto Esau Behold I have made him thy lord and all his brethren have I given to him for servants and with corn and wine have I sustained him and what shall I do now unto thee my son 38. And Esau said unto his father Hast thou but one blessing my father bless me even me also O my father And Esau lift up his voice and wept 39. And Isaac his father answered and said unto him Behold thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth and of the dew of heaven from above 40. And by the sword shalt thou live and shalt serve thy brother and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck 41. And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him and Esau said in his heart The days of mourning for my father are at hand then will I slay my brother Jacob. 42. And these words of Esau her elder
sent the coat of many colours and they brought it to their father and said This have we found know now whether it be thy son's coat or no. 33. And he knew it and said It is my son's coat an evil beast hath devoured him Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces 34. And Jacob rent his clothes and put sackcloth upon his loins and mourned for his son many days 35. And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him but he refused to be comforted and he said For I will go down into the grave unto my son mourning thus his father wept for him 36. And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar an officer of Pharaoh's and captain of the guard 2. Generations Or things which happened to him See ch 25.19 Seventeen years old His Father was now One hundred and six or seven years old See the Notes on ch 27.1 Brought He did not frame a Slander Prov. 10.18 but reported matter of fact 3. Because he was the son of his old age Jacob was about Ninety years old when Joseph was born Benjamin was more the Son of Jacob's old age than Joseph but possibly had not as yet given that proof of a towardly Disposition which Joseph had done The Jewish Writers for which Opinion there are great Authorities suppose this Expression to imply Joseph's Wisdom which was in his youth like the Wisdom of old Men. Of many colours As a sign of his Father's Love 2 Sam. 13.18 though it were an occasion of his Brethren's Envy 5. Dream See the Notes on ch 20.3 7. To my sheaf This Sheaf is a fit Representation of Joseph in his Advancement in Aegypt to whom Application was made for Corn. And the lack of Corn sent his Brethren to him 9. Another For the greater assurance ch 41.32 and also to represent another thing In the first he onely foresaw the Subjection of his Brethren ch 42.6 in this is a Representation of his Father 's also which was expressed by a Present as well as by the Declaration of his Brethren ch 43.26 28. 10. Thy Mother The Mother was represented by the Moon And though Rachel was dead yet was not Joseph without a Mother whether it were Leah the Mother of the Family or Bilhah who was reputed so ch 29.29 'T is enough that the Dream represents the Subjection of the intire Family 13. Shechem Whose Inhabitants were destroy'd and near which place he had purchased some Land ch 33.19 17. Dothan Compare 2 Kings 6.13 20. We will say So easily do men proceed from one sin to another 23. Stript Joseph Took off that Robe which was a token of his Father's kindness See v. 3. 24. Cast him into a pit He being first bound as Josephus tells us 25. A company of Ishmeelites Of Arabians says the Chaldee And Josephus calls them Arabian Merchants of the Stock of Ishmael 'T is likely it was a mixt Company consisting especially of Ishmeelites and Midianites v. 28. who are elsewhere joined Judg. 8.24 28. 28. Drew up In Reuben's absence as appears from v. 29. Pieces i. e. Shekels See the Note on ch 20.16 29. Rent his clothes In token of his sorrow See v. 34. 30. Is not i. e. Is dead They are said in Scripture Phrase not to be who are dead and appear not among the Living See ch 41.13 and ch 44.20 Whither shall I go I who being the first-born am most accountable for this miscarriage and I who have already incurred my Father's just Displeasure ch 35.22 34. Sack-cloth viz. As a farther testimony of his sorrow Jon. 3.5 35. His sons Who had been the occasion of his sorrow Daughters Dinah and his Son's Wives Grave Put here for the state of the Dead CHAP. XXXVIII The ARGUMENT Judah begetteth Er Onan and Shelah Er marrieth Tamar The wickedness of Onan Judah's Wife dieth He lyeth with Tamar not knowing who she was She conceives with child upon which she is by Judah's means condemned to die He is convinced that she was with child by him upon which she escapes She bringeth forth twins Pharez and Zarah 1. AND it came to pass at that time that Judah went down from his brethren and turned in to a certain Adullamite whose name was Hirah 2. And Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite whose name was Shuah and he took 〈◊〉 and went in unto her 3. And she conceived and bare a son and he called his name Er. 4. And she conceived again and bare a son and she called his name Onan 5. And she yet again conceived and bare a son and called his name Shelah and he was at Chezib when she bare him 6. And Judah took a wife for Er his first-born whose name was Tamar 7. And Er Judah's first-born was wicked in the sight of the LORD and the LORD slew him 8. And Judah said unto Onan Go in unto thy brother's wife and marry her and raise up seed to thy brother 9. And Onan knew that the seed should not be his and it came to pass when he went in unto his brother's wife that he spilled it on the ground lest that he should give seed to his brother 10. And the thing which he did displeased the LORD wherefore he slew him also 11. Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter in law Remain a widow at thy father's house till Shelah my son be grown for he said Lest peradventure he die also as his brethren did and Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house 12. And in process of time the daughter of Shuah Judah's wife died and Judah was comforted and went up unto his sheep-shearers to Timnath he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite 13. And it was told Tamar saying Behold thy father in law goeth up to Timnath to shear his sheep 14. And she put her widow's garments off from her and covered her with a veil and wrapped her self and sat in an open place which is by the way to Timnath for she saw that Shelah was grown and she was not given unto him to wife 15. When Judah saw her he thought her to be an harlot because she had covered her face 16. And he turned unto her by the way and said Go to I pray thee let me come in unto thee for he knew not that she was his daughter in law and she said What wilt thou give me that thou mayest come in unto me 17. And he said I will send thee a kid from the flock and she said Wilt thou give me a pledge till thou send it 18. And he said What pledge shall I give thee and she said Thy signet and thy bracelets and thy staff that is in thine hand and he gave it her and came in unto her and she conceived by him 19. And she arose and went away and laid by her veil from her and put on the garments of her widowhood 20. And Judah sent the kid by the hand of his friend the Adullamite to receive his pledge
35.24 Esther 6.2 Bow the knee They were to do homage to Joseph as to the second person in the Kingdom as one who was the Father of the King and Country ch 45.8 The Chaldee renders it This is the Father of the King 44. I am Pharaoh i. e. I am King Pharaoh was the common Name of the King as Ptolomy was in after-times Gen. 12.15 And as the Ptolomies were distinguished by other additional or proper Names so were the Pharaohs also Thus we read of Pharaoh-necoh 2 Kings 23.9 compare Jer. 44.30 And thus were the Caesars among the Romans distinguished from one another Pharaoh in this place implies the Soveraign authority as is implied by what follows Without thee shall no man lift up his hand c. i. e. No man shall have power to do any thing without his leave at least not against his will 45. Zaphnath-paaneah A revealer of secrets says Josephus Priest Or Prince and Governor of On or Heliopolis say the Greek He might be both Prince and Priest ch 14.18 47. By handfulls i. e. In great abundance v. 49. CHAP. XLII The ARGUMENT Jacob sendeth his Sons into Egypt to buy Corn Joseph chargeth them as being Spies They make their Answer They are imprisoned and set at liberty upon condition that they would bring Benjamin into Egypt Their remorse for their former ill usage of Joseph Simeon is left in Egypt as a pledge The rest are sent back with Corn and their Money in their Sacks of Corn. They relate to Jacob what had befallen them who is not willing to send Benjamin 1. NOW when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt Jacob said unto his sons Why do ye look one upon another 2. And he said Behold I have heard that there is corn in Egypt get you down thither and buy for us from thence that we may live and not die 3. And Joseph's ten brethren went down to buy corn in Egypt 4. But Benjamin Joseph's brother Jacob sent not with his brethren for he said Lest peradventure mischief befall him 5. And the sons of Israel came to buy corn among those that came for the famine was in the land of Canaan 6. And Joseph was the governor over the land and he it was that sold to all the people of the land and Joseph's brethren came and bowed down themselves before him with their faces to the earth 7. And Joseph saw his brethren and he knew them but made himself strange unto them and spake roughly unto them and he said unto them Whence come ye And they said From the land of Canaan to buy food 8. And Joseph knew his brethren but they knew not him 9. And Joseph remembred the dreams which he dreamed of them and said unto them Ye are spies to see the nakedness of the land you are come 10. And they said unto him Nay my lord but to buy food are thy servants come 11. We are all one man's sons we are true men thy servants are no spies 12. And he said unto them Nay but to see the nakedness of the land you are come 13. And they said Thy servants are twelve brethren the sons of one man in the land of Canaan and behold the youngest is this day with our father and one is not 14. And Joseph said unto them That is it that I spake unto you saying Ye are spies 15. Hereby ye shall be proved by the life of Pharaoh ye shall not go forth hence except your youngest brother come hither 16. Send one of you and let him fetch your brother and ye shall be kept in prison that your words may be proved whether there be any truth in you or else by the life of Pharaoh surely ye are spies 17. And he put them all together into ward three days 18. And Joseph said unto them the third day This do and live for I fear God 19. If ye be true men let one of your brethren be bound in the house of your prison go ye carry corn for the famine of your houses 20. But bring your youngest brother unto me so shall your words be verified and ye shall not die And they did so 21. And they said one to another We are verily guilty concerning our brother in that we saw the anguish of his soul when he besought us and we would not hear therefore is this distress come upon us 22. And Reuben answered them saying Spake I not unto you saying Do not sin against the child and ye would not hear therefore behold also his blood is required 23. And they knew not that Joseph understood them for he spake unto them by an interpreter 24. And he turned himself about from them and wept and returned to them again and communed with them and took from them Simeon and bound him before their eyes 25. Then Joseph commanded to fill their sacks with corn and to restore every man's money into his sack and to give them provision for the way and thus did he unto them 26. And they laded their asses with the corn and departed thence 27. And as one of them opened his sack to give his ass provender in the inn he espied his money for behold it was in his sack's mouth 28. And he said unto his brethren My money is restored and lo it is even in my sack and their heart failed them and they were afraid saying one to another What is this that God hath done unto us 29. And they came unto Jacob their father unto the land of Canaan and told him all that befell unto them saying 30. The man who is the lord of the land spake roughly to us and took us for spies of the country 31. And we said unto him We are true men we are no spies 32. We be twelve brethren sons of our father one is not and the youngest is this day with our father in the land of Canaan 33. And the man the lord of the country said unto us Hereby shall I know that ye are true men leave one of your brethren here with me and take food for the famine of your housholds and be gone 34. And bring your youngest brother unto me then shall I know that you are no spies but that you are true men so will I deliver you your brother and ye shall traffick in the land 35. And it came to pass as they emptied their sacks that behold every man's bundle of money was in his sack and when both they and their father saw the bundles of money they were afraid 36. And Jacob their father said unto them Me have ye bereaved of my children Joseph is not and Simeon is not and ye will take Benjamin away all these things are against me 37. And Reuben spake unto his father saying Slay my two sons if I bring him not to thee deliver him into my hand and I will bring him to thee again 38. And he said My son shall not go down with you for his brother is dead and he is
them that stood by him and he cried Cause every man to go out from me and there stood no man with him while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren 2. And he wept aloud and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard 3. And Joseph said unto his brethren I am Joseph Doth my father yet live And his brethren could not answer him for they were troubled at his presence 4. And Joseph said unto his brethren Come near to me I pray you and they came near and he said I am Joseph your brother whom ye sold into Egypt 5. Now therefore be not grieved nor angry with your selves that ye sold me hither for God did send me before you to preserve life 6. For these two years hath the famine been in the land and yet there are five years in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest 7. And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance 8. So now it was not you that sent me hither but God and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh and lord of all his house and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt 9. Haste you and go up to my father and say unto him Thus saith thy son Joseph God hath made me lord of all Egypt come down unto me tarry not 10. And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen and thou shalt be near unto me thou and thy children and thy children's children and thy flocks and thy herds and all that thou hast 11. And there will I nourish thee for yet there are five years of famine lest thou and thy houshold and all that thou hast come to poverty 12. And behold your eyes see and the eyes of my brother Benjamin that it is my mouth that speaketh unto you 13. And you shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt and of all that you have seen and ye shall hast and bring down my father hither 14. And he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck and wept and Benjamin wept upon his neck 15. Moreover he kissed all his brethren and wept upon them and after that his brethren talked with him 16. And the fame thereof was heard in Pharaoh's house saying Joseph's brethren are come and it pleased Pharaoh well and his servants 17. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph Say unto thy brethren This do ye lade your beasts and go get you unto the land of Canaan 18. And take your father and your housholds and come unto me and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt and ye shall eat the fat of the land 19. Now thou art commanded this do ye Take you wagons out of the land of Egypt for your little ones and for your wives and bring your father and come 20. Also regard not your stuff for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours 21. And the children of Israel did so and Joseph gave them wagons according to the commandment of Pharaoh and gave them provision for the way 22. To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver and five changes of raiment 23. And to his father he sent after this manner ten asses laden with the good things of Egypt and ten she-asses laden with corn and bread and meat for his father by the way 24. So he sent his brethren away and they departed and he said unto them See that ye fall not out by the way 25. And they went up out of Egypt and came into the land of Canaan unto Jacob their father 26. And told him saying Joseph is yet alive and he is governour over all the land of Egypt And Jacob's heart fainted for he believed them not 27. And they told him all the words of Joseph which he had said unto them and when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him the spirit of Jacob their father revived 28. And Israel said It is enough Joseph my son is yet alive I will go and see him before I die 1. COuld not refrain himself i. e. He could no longer forbear being moved by the words of Judah Go out Joseph was not willing that any should be Witnesses of his own Passion or his Brethren's former Faults 2. The Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh i. e. The Egyptians who went out hearing it soon told it to the House of Pharaoh Compare v. 16. 4. Whom ye sold He tells them this to gain belief rather than to upbraid them 5. God did send c. i. e. I was sent hither not without the special Providence of God 8. Not you that sent me hither but God The good event of the thing was intirely to be imputed to God though the fault were theirs 10. Land of Goshen A fruitfull part of the Land of Egypt lying towards Canaan ch 46.28 29. 47.1 6 27. 12. That it is my mouth They might not onely discern some resemblance from his Countenance by which they might call him to mind but his speaking to them in their own Language without an Interpreter Compare v. 1. with ch 42.23 might farther confirm them 15. Talked with him Having now overcome their fears 16. The fame thereof c. Being quickly carried from one to another See the Note on v. 2. 18. Fat of the land i. e. The best of it Compare Ps 63.5 Numb 18.12 20. Regard not Let not your Eye spare Compare Deut. 7.16 22. Three hundred pieces of silver i. e. Three hundred Shekels See the Note on ch 20.16 24. See that ye fall not out by the way Be not angry as the Latin and Greek have it They would be apt to reproach each other now for their former cruelty to Joseph 26. Fainted Through his fear and distrust 27. Revived iâ— Jacob now believing the truth of what his Sons had said 28. It is enough Joseph my son is yet alive Two things his Sons told him viz. That Joseph was alive and that he was Governour of Egypt And the latter of the two Joseph required them to tell his Father v. 9. But for Joseph's Glory and Dominion Jacob does not rejoice as one greatly affected with it 'T was his Life gave him the Joy He said It is enough Joseph my son is yet alive It is enough if Joseph be yet alive as the Vulgar Latin hath it See ch 46.30 CHAP. XLVI The ARGUMENT Jacob cometh to Beer-sheba God appears to him and encourageth his going into Egypt whence he with his Family goes down into Egypt A particular account of his Family which went thither Joseph meets his Father and instructs his Brethren what they should say unto Pharaoh 1. AND Israel took his journey with all that he had and came to Beer-sheba and offered sacrifices unto the God of his father Isaac 2. And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night and said Jacob Jacob. And he said Here am I. 3.
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
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
the Memory of their deliverance out of Egypt The Firstlings of Beasts to be set apart The Israelites take with them the Bones of Joseph They are directed by a Cloud and Pillar of Fire 1. AND the LORD spake unto Moses saying 2. Sanctifie unto me all the first-born whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel both of man and of beast it is mine 3. And Moses said unto the people Remember this day in which ye came out from Egypt out of the house of bondage for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place there shall no leavened bread be eaten 4. This day came ye out in the month Abib 5. And it shall be when the LORD shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Hivites and the Jebusites which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee a land flowing with milk and honey that thou shalt keep this service in this month 6. Seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread and in the seventh day shall be a feast to the LORD 7. Vnleavened bread shall be eaten seven days and there shall no leavened bread be seen with thee neither shall there be leaven seen with thee in all thy quarters 8. And thou shalt shew thy son in that day saying This is done because of that which the LORD did unto me when I came forth out of Egypt 9. And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand and for a memorial between thine eyes that the LORD's law may be in thy mouth for with a strong hand hath the LORD brought thee out of Egypt 10. Thou shalt therefore keep this ordinance in his season from year to year 11. And it shall be when the LORD shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanites as he sware unto thee and to thy fathers and shall give it thee 12. That thou shalt set a-part unto the LORD all that openeth the matrix and every firstling that cometh of a beast which thou hast the males shall be the LORD's 13. And every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb and if thou wilt not redeem it then thou shalt break his neck and all the first-born of man amongst thy children shalt thou redeem 14. And it shall be when thy son asketh thee in time to come saying What is this that thou shalt say unto him By strength of hand the LORD brought us out from Egypt from the house of bondage 15. And it came to pass when Pharaoh would hardly let us go that the LORD slew all the first-born in the land of Egypt both the first-born of man and the first-born of beast therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all that openeth the matrix being males but all the first-born of my children I redeem 16. And it shall be for a token upon thine hand and for frontlets between thine eyes for by strength of hand the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt 17. And it came to pass when Pharaoh had let the people go that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines although that was near for God said Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war and they return to Egypt 18. But God led the people about through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt 19. And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel saying God will surely visit you and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you 20. And they took their journey from Succoth and encamped in Etham in the edge of the wilderness 21. And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud to lead them the way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light to go by day and night 22. He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night from before the people 2. Sanctifie Ch. 22.29 and 34.19 Levit. 27.26 Numb 3.13 and 8.16 Luk. 2.23 The word signifies to set a-part and that may be said to be sanctified to God which is set aside for his service v. 12. And because the First-born were set aside by God's Command and were therefore more peculiarly his already they were forbid in their voluntary Vows to consecrate them unto the Lord Levit. 27.26 Of man and of beast The Firstling of a Beast fit for Sacrifice was not to be redeemed but the Blood thereof was to be sprinkled on the Altar the fat to be burnt and the flesh to be the Priests Numb 18.17 18. The Firstling of an unclean Beast was to be redeemed v. 13. and the Price to be given to the Priest Numb 18.15 The First-born of Men were to be set a-part to the Service of God Instead of the First-born of the People God took the Levites Numb 3.12 After this the First-born were to be redeemed and the Price to be given to the Priest Numb 18.15 3. Bondage Heb. Servants 4. In the month Abib The Hebrew word Abib signifies an Ear of Corn and because Barley was Eared at this time of the year this month is called the month of Abib The Latin renders it of new fruits and the Greek to the same sense 5. When c. Hence it appears that this Service was after this first Passeover in Egypt determined to the Land of Canaan vid. Deut. 12.1 6. ch 16.5 6. 6. Seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread It is elsewhere said Six days shalt thou eat unleavened bread Deut. 16.8 But it is plain these six are the six days after the first day of the Feast after which first day they had the liberty of going home but might not eat leavened Bread during those remaining six days And to this purpose it is said Thou shalt sacrifice the Passover v. 6. And thou shalt rest and eat it in the place which the Lord thy God shall choose and thou shalt turn in the morning and go unto thy tents Upon this it follows Six days shalt thou eat It is a very probable opinion of the Jews that though they were obliged to eat unleavened Bread with the Paschal Lamb Exod. 12.8 Yet for the six days remaining they were onely obliged if they eat Bread that it should be unleavened but were not under any obligation to eat Bread upon each of those days It is not said Whosoever eateth not unleavened Bread but it is said Whosoever eateth leavened Bread from the first day untill the seventh day that soul shall be cut off from Israel Exod. 12.15 9. And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand c. i. e. This Solemnity shall be unto thee a Memorial of what God hath done for thee as if it were something on thine hand or before thine eyes Vid. Deut. 6.8 Isa 49.16 Cant. 8.6 See Notes on v. 16.
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
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
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
right Shoulder Maimon Kel Hammikd c. 9. 11. With the work c. Wisd 18.24 12. For a memorial Both with reference to God v. 29. and also to the Priest who was thereby put in mind of the concerns of the people 13. Ouches To receive the Chains v. 14. 15. Breast-plate of Judgment A Garment upon the Breast of the High Priest which he then did wear when in doubtfull cases he was consulted and acquainted them who consulted with the Will of God Numb 27.21 See v. 30. of this Chapter 17. Set in it settings of Stone Heb. Fill in it fillings of Stone Sardius Or Ruby 20. Enclosings Heb. Fillings 21. According to their names It is not said according to their birth as it is v. 10. And perhaps the order of their encamping might be observed here as Abravenel on the place would have it 30. The Vrim and the Thummim The Hebrew words import perfection and light And as they are applied to good life and doctrine they are good attendants upon those who minister in holy things But what the matter and form of the Vrim and Thummim were which are supposed to be made ready to be put in the Breast-plate is not to be known 31. Robe Or long Garment down to the ground See the Greek and Revel 1.13 33. Hem Or Skirts 35. And it c. Ecclus. 45.9 36. A Plate Which was two fingers broad and reached from one Ear to the other going over the Forehead of the Priest says Maimon HOLINESS TO THE LORD By which the High Priest was taught to look upon himself as separated to the Service of God as well as from thence to esteem himself obliged to serve God with great care and reverence 38. Bear c. i. e. That he may procure God's pardon for the People's Errors in the Service of God In this the High Priest was a fit type of Christ 1 Pet. 2.24 41. Consecrate them Heb. Fill their hand 42. Their nakedness Heb. Flesh of their nakedness Reach Heb. Be. 43. That they bear not iniquity i. e. That they bear not the punishment due for their Sin Hence the Jews teach that the Priest who ministers and wants some of the Garments here prescribed is to be reputed as no Priest deserves death and that the Sacrifice which he offers up is rendered profane Maim H. Kele Hammikd c. 10. CHAP. XXIX The ARGUMENT The Sacrifice and Ceremonies of Consecrating the Priests Of the Bullock for a Sin-offering Of the Ram for a Burnt-offering Of the Ram of Consecration and the Wave-offering The Wave-breast and Heave-shoulder reserved to Aaron and his Sons for the future Aaron's Sons who shall succeed him are to be anointed and consecrated in his Vestments Aaron and his Sons are to eat of the Ram of Consecration c. This Consecration to continue seven days The Atonement for the Altar The continual Burnt-offering 1. AND this is the thing that thou shalt do unto them to hallow them to minister unto me in the priest's office Take one young bullock and two rams without blemish 2. And unleavened bread and cakes unleavened tempered with oyl and wafers unleavened anointed with oyl of wheaten flour shalt thou make them 3. And thou shalt put them into one basket and bring them in the basket with the bullock and the two rams 4. And Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation and shalt wash them with water 5. And thou shalt take the garments and put upon Aaron the coat and the robe of the ephod and the ephod and the breast-plate and gird him with the curious girdle of the ephod 6. And thou shalt put the mitre upon his head and put the holy crown upon the mitre 7. Then shalt thou take the anointing oyl and pour it upon his head and anoint him 8. And thou shalt bring his sons and put coats upon them 9. And thou shalt gird them with girdles Aaron and his sons and put the bonnets on them and the priest's office shall be theirs for a perpetual statute and thou shalt consecrate Aaron and his sons 10. And thou shalt cause a bullock to be brought before the tabernacle of the congregation and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the bullock 11. And thou shalt kill the bullock before the LORD by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation 12. And thou shalt take of the blood of the bullock and put it upon the horns of the altar with thy finger and pour all the blood beside the bottom of the altar 13. And thou shalt take all the fat that covereth the inwards and the caul that is above the liver and the two kidneys and the fat that is upon them and burn them upon the altar 14. But the flesh of the bullock and his skin and his dung shalt thou burn with fire without the camp it is a sin-offering 15. Thou shalt also take one ram and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the ram 16. And thou shalt slay the ram and thou shalt take his blood and sprinkle it round about upon the altar 17. And thou shalt cut the ram in pieces and wash the inwards of him and his legs and put them unto his pieces and unto his head 18. And thou shalt burn the whole ram upon the altar it is a burnt-offering unto the LORD it is a sweet savour an offering made by fire unto the LORD 19. And thou shalt take the other ram and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the ram 20. Then shalt thou kill the ram and take of his blood and put it upon the tip of the right ear of Aaron and upon the tip of the right ear of his sons and upon the thumb of their right hand and upon the great toe of their right foot and sprinkle the blood upon the altar round about 21. And thou shalt take of the blood that is upon the altar and of the anointing oyl and sprinkle it upon Aaron and upon his garments and upon his sons and upon the garments of his sons with him and he shall be hallowed and his garments and his sons and his son's garments with him 22. Also thou shalt take of the ram the fat and the rump and the fat that covereth the inwards and the caul above the liver and the two kidneys and the fat that is upon them and the right shoulder for it is a ram of consecration 23. And one loaf of bread and one cake of oyled bread and one wafer out of the basket of the unleavened bread that is before the LORD 24. And thou shalt put all in the hands of Aaron and in the hands of his sons and shalt wave them for a wave-offering before the LORD 25. And thou shalt receive them of their hands and burn them upon the altar for a burnt-offering for a sweet savour before the LORD it is an
offering made by fire unto the LORD 26. And thou shalt take the breast of the ram of Aaron's consecrations and wave it for a wave-offering before the LORD and it shall be thy part 27. And thou shalt sanctifie the breast of the wave-offering and the shoulder of the heave-offering which is waved and which is heaved up of the ram of the consecration even of that which is for Aaron and of that which is for his sons 28. And it shall be Aaron's and his sons by a statute for ever from the children of Israel for it is an heave-offering and it shall be an heave-offering from the children of Israel of the sacrifice of their peace-offerings even their heave-offering unto the LORD 29. And the holy garments of Aaron shall be his sons after him to be anointed therein and to be consecrated in them 30. And that son that is priest in his stead shall put them on seven days when he cometh into the tabernacle of the congregation to minister in the holy place 31. And thou shalt take the ram of the consecration and seeth his flesh in the holy place 32. And Aaron and his sons shall eat the flesh of the ram and the bread that is in the basket by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation 33. And they shall eat those things wherewith the atonement was made to consecrate and to sanctifie them but a stranger shall not eat thereof because they are holy 34. And if ought of the flesh of the consecrations or of the bread remain unto the morning then thou shalt burn the remainder with fire it shall not be eaten because it is holy 35. And thus shalt thou do unto Aaron and to his sons according to all things which I have commanded thee seven days shalt thou consecrate them 36. And thou shalt offer every day a bullock for a sin-offering for atonement and thou shalt cleanse the altar when thou hast made an atonement for it and thou shalt anoint it to sanctifie it 37. Seven days thou shalt make an atonement for the altar and sanctifie it and it shall be an altar most holy whatsoever toucheth the altar shall be holy 38. Now this is that which thou shalt offer upon the altar two lambs of the first year day by day continually 39. The one lamb thou shalt offer in the morning and the other lamb thou shalt offer at even 40. And with the one lamb a tenth-deal of flour mingled with the fourth part of an hin of beaten oyl and the fourth part of an hin of wine for a drink-offering 41. And the other lamb thou shalt offer at even and shalt do thereto according to the meat-offering of the morning and according to the drink-offering thereof for a sweet savour an offering made by fire unto the LORD 42. This shall be a continual burnt-offering throughout your generations at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD where I will meet you to speak there unto thee 43. And there I will meet with the children of Israel and the tabernacle shall be sanctified by my glory 44. And I will sanctifie the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar I will sanctifie also both Aaron and his sons to minister to me in the priest's office 45. And I will dwell amongst the children of Israel and will be their God 46. And they shall know that I am the LORD their God that brought them forth out of the land of Egypt that I may dwell amongst them I am the LORD their God 1. TO hallow them i. e. To set them apart to their separate and holy Office Take Levit. 9.2 Without blemish i. e. Without defect or perfect as the Hebrew word signifies 4. With water Which Aaron and his Sons were to repeat when ever they went into the Tabernacle c. 30.18 20. 5. The garments Viz. Which are mentioned in the foregoing Chapter The robe of the ephod Ch. 28.31 6. The holy crown The Plate of Gold with the blue Lace mentioned ch 28.36 37. Levit. 8.9 See the Greek and Vulgar 7. Oyl Ch. 30.25 9. Put Heb. Bind Consecrate Heb. Fill the hand of Ch. 28.41 The meaning of which expression may be learnt from v. 23 24. 10. Aaron Levit. 1.4 Put their hands c. This putting the Hands on the Head of the Beast which was to be sacrificed was very usual By it the Beast was appropriated to God and the Offerer thereby transferred his guilt upon it This was joined with Confession of Sin Lev. 5.5 6. with ch 16.21 12. Of the altar i. e. Of the Altar of Burnt-offering as in the Sin offerings Levit 5.24 25 29 30. 13. And thou Levit. 3.3 The caul that is above the liver It seemeth by Anatomy and the Hebrew Doctors to be the Midriff So our English Interpreters in their Marginal Note The Greek render it by the Lobe of the Liver meaning possibly the Lobe to which the Gaul is fixed Burn What we render Burn in this place is not the same word which we so render v. 14. but a word that is applied to the burning of Incense which consumes into Smoke these parts being fat and light consuming after that manner which Incense does without any considerable Ashes remaining 15. Head See v. 10. 18. Burnt-offering See the Notes on Levit 1.3 20. Tip of the right ear The putting the blood upon these parts mentioned in this Verse was a symbol of that ready Obedience which was due from the Priests 22. For it is a ram of Consecration This Ram was not to be wholly burnt as the other was v. 18. Nor was it a Sin-offering as the Bullock was v. 14. but rather a kind of Peace-offering v. 28. and 32. from such Sacrifices the right Shoulder and the Breast were due to the Priest v. 27 28. Levit. 7.31 32. Deut. 18.3 But in this extraordinary case the right Shoulder is to be burnt v. 25. And this is a peculiar belonging to the Ram of Consecration These words give the reason why the right Shoulder was burnt 24. Wave Heb. Shake to and fro This waving or moving to and fro being a Rite by which that which was thus waved was set apart to an holy use The Greek translate by a word that signifies to set apart 26. Thy part Moses being at this time in the stead of the High Priest v. 22. 27. Sanctifie c. Or set apart taking the Breast for thy self and burning the Shoulder upon the Altar v. 25. these were afterwards the portion of the Priests Levit. 7.31 32. Heave-offering Or That Offering whiâ—h is set apart by lifting it up 28. By a statute Deut. 18.3 Levit. 7.31 32. 30. That son Heb. He of his sons 31. Ram i. e. The remainder of it after God's part was offered v. 22. and the part belonging to Moses was set aside v. 26. In the holy place i. e. At the entrance of the Tabernacle Levit. 8.31 32. Bread Levit. 8.31 Matt. 12.4 33. A
stranger i. e. One that is not of the Race of Aaron ch 30.33 They are holy i. e. These things are holy as the Greek have it 37. Most holy Not onely as set apart to an holy use but as it sanctifies the Gift that was offered upon it Matt. 23.19 38. Two lambs Num. 28.3 40. Tenth-deal i. e. A tenth part of an Ephah Num. 28.5 See the Notes on Exod. 16.36 The fourth part of an hin An Hin contains twelve Logs says Maimon H. Maas Hak-korban c. 2. A Log the quantity of six Eggs or about half a Pint. The fourth part of an Hin is about a Pint and an half 43. The tabernacle Or Israel The Text being Elliptical it may be understood of either It was the glorious Presence of God that sanctified both the Tabernacle and the Congregation which met there and both these agree with the words which follow v. 44. 45. I will dwell Levit. 26.12 2 Cor. 6.16 CHAP. XXX The ARGUMENT Of the Altar of Incense Of the ransom Money or half Shekel to be paid for them that are above twenty years old Of the Laver of brass Of the Holy Anointing-oyl The Composition of the Perfume 1. AND thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon of shittim-wood shalt thou make it 2. A cubit shall be the length thereof and a cubit the breadth thereof four square shall it be and two cubits shall be the height thereof the horns thereof shall be of the same 3. And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold the top thereof and the sides thereof round about and the horns thereof and thou shalt make unto it a crown of gold round about 4. And two golden rings shalt thou make to it under the crown of it by the two corners thereof upon the two sides of it shalt thou make it and they shall be for places for the staves to bear it withall 5. And thou shalt make the staves of shittim-wood and overlay them with gold 6. And thou shalt put it before the veil that is by the ark of the testimony before the mercy-seat that is over the testimony where I will meet with thee 7. And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning when he dresseth the lamps he shall burn incense upon it 8. And when Aaron lighteth the lamps at even he shall burn incense upon it a perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations 9. Ye shall offer no strange incense thereon nor burnt sacrifice nor meat-offering neither shall ye pour drink-offering thereon 10. And Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it once in a year with the blood of the sin-offering of atonements once in the year shall he make atonement upon it throughout your generations it is most holy unto the LORD 11. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 12. When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel after their number then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul unto the LORD when thou numbrest them that there be no plague amongst them when thou numbrest them 13. This they shall give every one that passeth among them that are numbred half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary A shekel is twenty gerahs an half shekel shall be the offering of the LORD 14. Every one that passeth among them that are numbred from twenty years old and above shall give an offering unto the LORD 15. The rich shall not give more and the poor shall not give less then half a shekel when they give an offering unto the LORD to make an atonement for your souls 16. And thou shalt take the atonement-money of the children of Israel and shalt appoint it for the service of the tâ—bernacle of the congregation that it may be a memorial unto the childreâ— of Israel before the LORD to make an atonement for your souls 17. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 18. Thou shalt also make a lover of brass and his foot also of brass to wash withall and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar and thou shalt put water therein 19. For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat 20. When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation they shall wash with water that they die not or when they come near to the altar to minister to burn offering made by fire unto the LORD 21. So they shall wash their hands and their feet that they die not and it shall be a statute for ever to them even to him and to his seed throughout their generations 22. Moreover the LORD spake unto Moses saying 23. Take thou also unto thee principal spices of pure myrrhe five hundred shekels and of sweet cinnamon half so much even two hundred and fifty shekels and of sweet colamus two hundred and fifty shekels 24. And of cassia five hundred shekels after the shekel of the sanctuary and of the oyl-olive an hin 25. And thou shalt make it an oyl of holy ointment an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary it shall be an holy anointing oyl 26. And thou shalt anoint the tabernacle of the congregation therewith and the ark of the testimony 27. And the table and all his vessels and the candlestick and his vessels and the altar of incense 28. And the altar of burnt-offering with all his vessels and the laver and his foot 29. And thou shalt sanctifie them that they may be most holy whatsoever toucheth them shall be holy 30. And thou shalt anoint Aaron and his sons and consecrate them that they may minister unto me in the priest's office 31. And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel saying This shall be an holy anointing oyl unto me throughout your generations 32. Vpon man's flesh shall it not be poured neither shall ye make any other like it after the composition of it it is holy and it shall be holy unto you 33. Whosoever compoundeth any like it or whosoever putteth any of it upon a stranger shall even be cut off from his people 34. And the LORD said unto Moses Take unto thee sweet spices stacte and onycha and galbanum these sweet spices with pure frankincense of each shall there be a like weight 35. And thou shalt make it a perfume a confection after the art of the apothecary tempered together pure and holy 36. And thou shalt beat some of it very small and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation where I will meet with thee it shall be unto you most holy 37. And as for the perfume which thou shalt make you shall not make to your selves according to the composition thereof it shall be unto thee holy for the LORD 38. Whosoever shall make like unto that to smell thereto shall even be cut off from his people 1. SHittim-wood See ch 25.5 2. Horns Vid. ch 27.2 3. Top Heb. Roof-Sides Heb. Walls 4. Corners Heb. Ribs 6. Before the
out of Egypt Deut. 5.15 And it was a standing sign of that People's relation to God as their Maker and Deliverer Ezek. 20.20 That doth sanctifie you Or That doth set you apart to my Service and as a sign and token thereof the Sabbath was ordained for the service of God and rest from Worldly Occasions 14. Ye shall keep c. Ch. 20.8 Deut. 5.12 Ezek. 20.12 Be put to death The case was thus says Maimon among the Jews He that proudly and wittingly did work on the Sabbath was liable to be cut off i. e. To perish by the hand of God If he did it ignorantly he was obliged to bring his Sin-offering but if he were convicted by Witnesses he was to be stoned Num. 15.27.30 and 35. 15. Holy Heb. Holiness 17. In six days Gen. 1.13 and 2.2 18. Two tables Deut. 9.10 With the finger of God This is spoken after the manner of Men and is to be understood accordingly These Tables and the Writing on them were noâ— the work of a Man but were the work of God Vid. ch 31.16 Vid. More Nevochim p. 1. c. 66. CHAP. XXXII The ARGUMENT In the absence of Moses the Israelites prevail with Aaron to make a Calf They commit Idolatry God's great displeasure thereupon Moses intercedes with God on their behalf The Tables of Stone are broken Moses destroys the Calf and expostulates with Aaron The Sons of Levi slay many of the Israelites by the direction of Moses Moses minds the People of the greatness of their Sin He pleads with God on their behalf 1. AND when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron and said unto him Vp make us gods which shall go before us for as for this Moses the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt we wot not what is become of him 2. And Aaron said unto them Break off the golden ear-rings whâ—â—h are in the ears of your wives of your sons and of your daughters and bring them unto me 3. And all the people brake off the golden ear-rings which were in their ears and brought them unto Aaron 4. And he received them at their hand and fashioned it with a graving tool after he had made it a molten calf and they said These be thy gods O Israel which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt 5. And when Aaron saw it he built an altar before it and Aaron made proclamation and said To morrow is a feast to the LORD 6. And they rose up early on the morrow and offered burnt-offerings and brought peace-offerings and the people sat down to eat and to drink and rose up to play 7. And the LORD said unto Moses Go get thee down for thy people which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt have corrupted themselves 8. They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them they have made them a molten calf and have worshipped it and have sacrificed thereunto and said These be thy gods O Israel which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt 9. And the LORD said unto Moses I have seen this people and behold it is a stiff-necked people 10. Now therefore let me alone that my wrath may wax hot against them and that I may consume them and I will make of thee a great nation 11. And Moses besought the LORD his God and said LORD why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand 12. Wherefore should the Egyptians speak and say For mischief did he bring them out to slay them in the mountains and to consume them from the face of the earth Turn from thy fierce wrath and repent of this evil against thy people 13. Remember Abraham Isaac and Israel thy servants to whom thou swarest by thine own self and saidest unto them I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed and they shall inherit it for ever 14. And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people 15. And Moses turned and went down from the mount and the two tables of the testimony were in his hand the tables were written on both their sides on the one side and on the other were they written 16. And the tables were the work of God and the writing was the writing of God graven upon the tables 17. And when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted he said unto Moses There is a noise of war in the camp 18. And he said It is not the voice of them that shout for mastery neither is it the voice of them that cry for being overcome but the noise of them that sing do I hear 19. And it came to pass assoon as he came nigh unto the camp that he saw the calf and the dancing and Moses's anger waxed hot and he cast the tables out of his hands and brake them beneath the mount 20. And he took the calf which they had made and burnt it in the fire and ground it to powder and strawed it upon the water and made the children of Israel drink of it 21. And Moses said unto Aaron What did this people unto thee that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them 22. And Aaron said Let not the anger of my lord wax hot thou knowest the people that they are set on mischief 23. For they said unto me Make us gods which shall go before us For as for this Moses the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt we wot not what is become of him 24. And I said unto them Whosoever hath any gold let them break it off So they gave it me then I cast it into the fire and there came out this calf 25. And when Moses saw that the people were naked for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame amongst their enemies 26. Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp and said Who is on the LORD's side let him come unto me And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him 27. And he said unto them Thus saith the LORD God of Israel Put every man his sword by his side and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp and slay every man his brother and every man his companion and every man his neighbour 28. And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men 29. For Moses had said Consecrate your selves to day to the LORD even every man upon his son and upon his brother that he may bestow upon you a blessing this day 30. And it came to pass on the morrow that Moses said unto the people Ye have sinned a great sin and now I will
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
The Chaldee understands it of the Shecinah or Divine Presence 10. I make Deut. 5.2 A terrible thing Such as speaks the Majesty and Power of God who is terrible in his doing toward the children of men Ps 66.5 12. Take heed Ch. 23.32 Deut. 7.2 13. Images Heb. Statues 14. Jealous Ch. 20.5 15. Go a whoring Idolatry is a spiritual Whoredom Ps 73.27 He that loves and honours the Creature instead of the Creator is guilty of it Jam. 4.4 And thou eat of his sacrifice And so have Communion with an Idol Num. 25.2 Ps 106.28 Ezek. 18.6.22.9 1 Cor. 10.20 Rev. 2.20 16. Their daughters 1 King 11.2 17. No molten They are specially warned against molten Gods they having transgressed so lately in the molten Calf ch 32.4 18. Vnleavened Ch. 23.15 Month Ch. 13.4 19. All Ch. 22.29 Ezek. 44.30 20. Lamb Or Kid. Empty Ch. 23.15 21. Six Ch. 23.12 Deut. 5.12 Luk. 13.14 22. And Ch. 23.16 Years end Heb. Revolution of the year 23. Thrice Ch. 23.14 17. Deut. 16.16 25. Thou c. Ch. 23.18 26. Kid Ch. 23.19 Deut. 14.21 27. Write thou these words Deut. 4.13 i. e. Do thou write them in a Book apart The ten Commandments onely were written in the two Tables and they were written by God v. 1. Deut. 10.2.4 28. And he Ch. 24.18 Deut. 9.9 And he wrote Not Moses but God See v. 27. Commandments Heb. Words 29. Shone Was glorious says the Greek which rendring agrees well with what we read 2 Cor. 3.7 While he talked with him These words express the cause why the Face of Moses did shine viz. from his converse with God 2 Cor. 3.18 30. Were afraid And by this means it is likely Moses came to the knowledge of it 33. He put Or He had put Viz. during the time that he spake with them A veil 2 Cor. 3.13 14. 34. He took the veil off 2 Cor. 3.16 35. With him That is With God as appears from v. 34. CHAP. XXXV The ARGUMENT The People are commanded to rest on the Sabbath-day Free-will Offerings for the Tabernacle to be received Both Men and Women offer Materials Bezaleel and Aholiab chosen for the Work 1. AND Moses gathered all the congregation of the children of Israel together and said unto them These are the words which the LORD hath commanded that ye should do them 2. Six days shall work be done but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day a sabbath of rest to the LORD whosoever doth work therein shall be put to death 3. Ye shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations upon the sabbath-day 4. And Moses spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel saying This is the thing which the LORD commanded saying 5. Take ye from amongst you an offering unto the LORD Whosoever is of a willing heart let him bring it an offering of the LORD gold and silver and brass 6. And blue and purple and scarlet and fine linen and goats hair 7. And rams skins died red and badgers skins and shittim-wood 8. And oyl for the light and spices for anointing oyl and for the sweet incense 9. And onyx-stones and stones to be set for the ephod and for the breast-plate 10. And every wise-hearted among you shall come and make all that the LORD hath commanded 11. The tabernacle his tent and his covering his taches and his boards his bars his pillars and his sockets 12. The ark and the staves thereof with the mercy-seat and the veil of the covering 13. The table and his staves and all his vessels and the shew-bread 14. The candlestick also for the light and his furniture and his lamps with the oyl for the light 15. And the incense-altar and his staves and the anointing oyl and the sweet incense and the hanging for the door at the entring in of the tabernacle 16. The altar of burnt-offering with his brasen grate his staves and all his vessels the laver and his foot 17. The hangings of the court his pillars and their sockets and the hanging for the door of the court 18. The pins of the tabernacle and the pins of the court and their cords 19. The clothes of service to do service in the holy place the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments of his sons to minister in the priest's office 20. And all the congregation of the children of Israel departed from the presence of Moses 21. And they came every one whose heart stirred him up and every one whom his spirit made willing and they brought the LORD's offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation and for all his service and for the holy garments 22. And they came both men and women as many as were willing-hearted and brought bracelets and ear-rings and rings and tablets all jewels of gold and every man that offered offered an offering of gold unto the LORD 23. And every man with whom was found blue and purple and scarlet and fine linen and goat's hair and red skins of rams and badgers skins brought them 24. Every one that did offer an offering of silver and brass brought the LORD's offering and every man with whom was found shittim-wood for any work of the service brought it 25. And all the women that were wise-hearted did spin with their hands and brought that which they had spun both of blue and of purple and of scarlet and of fine linen 26. And all the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun goat's hair 27. And the rulers brought onyx-stones and stones to be set for the ephod and for the breast-plate 28. And spice and oyl for the light and for the anointing oyl and for the sweet incense 29. The children of Israel brought a willing-offering unto the LORD every man and woman whose heart made them willing to bring for all manner of work which the LORD had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses 30. And Moses said unto the children of Israel See the LORD hath called by name Bezaleel the son of Vri the son of Hur of the tribe of Judah 31. And he hath filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom in understanding and in knowledge and in all manner of workmanship 32. And to devise curious works to work in gold and in silver and in brass 33. And in the cutting of stones to set them and in carving of wood to make any manner of cunning work 34. And he hath put in his heart that he may teach both he and Aholiab the son of Ahisamach of the tribe of Dan. 35. Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart to work all manner of work of the engraver and of the cunning workman and of the embroiderer in blue and in purple in scarlet and in fine linen and of the weaver even of them that do any work and of those that devise cunning work 2. Six days Ch. 20.9 Levit. 23.3 Deut. 5.12 Luk. 13.14 An holy day Heb. Holiness Put to
Their pillars were twenty and their brasen sockets twenty the hooks of the pillars and their fillets were of silver 11. And for the north-side the hangings were an hundred cubits their pillars were twenty and their sockets of brass twenty the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver 12. And for the west-side were hangings of fifty cubits their pillars ten and their sockets ten the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver 13. And for the east-side east-ward fifty cubits 14. The hangings of the one side of the gate were fifteen cubits their pillars three and their sockets three 15. And for the other side of the court-gate on this hand and that hand were hangings of fifteen cubits their pillars three and their sockets three 16. All the hangings of the court round about were of fine twined linen 17. And the sockets for the pillars were of brass the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver and the overlaying of their chapiters of silver and all the pillars of the court were filleted with silver 18. And the hanging for the gate of the court was needle-work of blue and purple and scarlet and fine twined linen and twenty cubits was the length and the height in the breadth was five cubits answerable to the hangings of the court 19. And their pillars were four and their sockets of brass four their hooks of silver and the overlaying of their chapiters and their fillets of silver 20. And all the pins of the tabernacle and of the court round about were of brass 21. This is the sum of the tabernacle even of the tabernacle of testimony as it was counted according to the commandment of Moses for the service of the Levites by the hand of Ithamar son to Aaron the priest 22. And Bezaleel the son of Vri the son of Hur of the tribe of Judah made all that the LORD commanded Moses 23. And with him was Aholiab son of Ahisamach of the tribe of Dan an engraver and a cunning workman and an embroiderer in blue and in purple and in scarlet and fine linen 24. All the gold that was occupied for the work in all the work of the holy place even the gold of the offering was twenty and nine talents and seven hundred and thirty shekels after the shekel of the sanctuary 25. And the silver of them that were numbred of the congregation was an hundred talents and a thousand seven hundred and threescore and fifteen shekels after the shekel of the sanctuary 26. A bekah for every man that is half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary for every one that went to be numbred from twenty years old and upward for six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty men 27. And of the hundred talents of silver were cast the sockets of the sanctuary and the sockets of the veil an hundred sockets of the hundred talents a talent for a socket 28. And of the thousand seven hundred seventy and five shekels he made hooks for the pillars and overlaid their chapiters and filleted them 29. And the brass of the offering was seventy talents and two thousand and four hundred shekels 30. And therewith he made the sockets to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation and the brasen altar and the brasen grate for it and all the vessels of the altar 31. And the sockets of the court round about and the sockets of the court-gate and all the pins of the tabernacle and all the pins of the court round about 1. AND he made Ch. 27.1 8. Looking-glasses Or Brasen-glasses Not made of Glass of which we have no mention but Brass polished which served the same purpose which our Looking-glasses are designed for Vid. Ezra 8 2â— Assembling which assembled Heb. Assembling by troops They assembled upon a Religious account to the place of God's Worship and more peculiar Presence and as the Greek and Chaldee understand it as they met there to fast or to pray so it is evident that they did also bestow of their Substance upon the service of God in that they parted with their fine and polished Brass by which they adorned themselves to make the Laver of Brass 9. Court Vid. Ch. 27.9 18. The height in the breadth i. e. The height of the hangings breadth That was its height when it hung up which was its breadth when it lay along 20. Pins Ch. 27.19 21. The sum of the tabernacle i. e. The Sum of Particulars belonging to the Tabernacle Ithamar Num. 4.28 31 32 33. 24. Talents A Shekel is half an Ounce and in Silver it amounts to our 2 s. 6 d. or near it A Bekah is half so much A Talent is 3000 Shekels This appears v. 25 26 28. The 603550 are taxed at a Bekah a-piece This makes 301775 Shekels and reckoning 3000 Shekels to a Talent the 301775 Shekels make up 100 Talents and 1775 Shekels counting the Shekel of Silver at 2 s. 6 d. the Talent of Silver amounts to 375 l. Sterling Their Talent of Gold was of the same weight and should we allow it but of ten times the value a Shekel of Gold will amount to 1 l. 5 s. Sterling and a Talent of Gold to 3750 l. 25. Numbred Exod. 30.13 26. Every man Heb. A Poll. CHAP. XXXIX The ARGUMENT Of the Clothes of Service and Holy Garments The Tabernacle is brought to Moses with its several Vtensils and approved of by him 1. AND of the blue and purple and scarlet they made clothes of service to do service in the holy place and made the holy garments for Aaron as the LORD commanded Moses 2. And he made the ephod of gold blue and purple and scarlet and fine twined linen 3. And they did beat the gold into thin plates and cut it into wiers to work it in the blue and in the purple and in the scarlet and in the fine linen with cunning work 4. They made shoulder-pieces for it to couple it together by the two edges was it coupled together 5. And the curious girdle of his ephod that was upon it was of the same according to the work thereof of gold blue and purple and scarlet and fine twined linen as the LORD commanded Moses 6. And they wrought onyx-stones enclosed in ouches of gold graven as signets are graven with the names of the children of Israel 7. And he put them on the shoulders of the ephod that they should be stones for a memorial to the children of Israel as the LORD commanded Moses 8. And he made the breast-plate of cunning work like the work of the ephod of gold blue and purple and scarlet and fine twined linen 9. It was four-square they made the breast-plate double a span was the length thereof and a span the breadth thereof being doubled 10. And they see in it four rows of stones the first row was a sardius a topaz and a carbuncle this was the first row 11. And the second row an emeraud a
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
Sin by requiring piacular Sacrifices to make atonement not thinking it fit it should go altogether unpunished Besides we may clearly see the Divine Mercy that God would accept any Sacrifice is a great favour and a greater still that he requires such as are not costly and rare and allows of a meaner Offering from the poor and indigent I will not pursue this matter Otherwise 't were easie to give farther instances of the great usefulness of the knowledge of these things The nine first Chapters of this Book are generally spent on this Subject We have an account of the Death of Nadab and Abihu for offering strange fire ch 10. Of the Beasts that were clean and unclean for food ch 11. The Law of Purification after Child-birth ch 12. And that concerning Leprosie and cleansing the Leper ch 13.14 Of legal Impurities and the cleansing of them ch 15. And that of the day of expiation and the service required thereupon ch 16. We have also a Law dispensed with afterwards requiring the bloud of Beasts slain for food in the Wilderness to be brought to the Tabernacle And another forbidding the Eating of bloud c. ch 17. And then follows the Law concerning unlawfull Marriages ch 18. Many other Laws are repeated ch 19. And wicked Practices forbid and denounced against ch 20. We have also an account of the Mourning of the Priests of their Marriages and the blemishes which hinder them from ministring in their Office ch 21. Which is very instructive to those of the Clergy and may well awaken them to take the utmost care to be holy and exemplary and to shun what is a fault or hath any appearance of Evil. Then follow Laws concerning Sacrifices and solemn and appointed Festivals and many other particular Statutes and Precepts ch 22.23 24 25. And after these things the Blessings of Obedience and Mischiefs of Disobedience are most pathetically laid before the Israelites ch 26. And the Book ends with a Chapter concerning Vows and devoted things and such as were set a-part to an holy use Here is enough in this Book to invite and engage and highly entertain all those Men who are inquisitive into Theological Truths and especially those which relate to the Priesthood of Christ to his Death and his Intercession at God's right hand Here is a Book fraught with variety of excellent Precepts and that is full of Symbols and Representations of better things to come NOTES ON THE Book of LEVITICUS CHAP. I. The ARGUMENT Of the Holocaust or whole Burnt-offering of the Herd Of that of the Flock viz. the Sheep or Goats Of that of the Fowls viz. of Turtle-doves or young Pigeons 1. AND the LORD called unto Moses and spake unto him out of the tabernacle of the congregation saying 2. Speak unto the children of Israel and say unto them If any man of you bring an offering unto the LORD ye shall bring your offering of the cattel even of the herd and of the flock 3. If his offering be a burnt-sacrifice of the herd let him offer a male without blemish he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD 4. And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt-offering and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him 5. And he shall kill the bullock before the LORD and the priests Aaron's sons shall bring the blood and sprinkle the blood round about upon the altar that is by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation 6. And he shall slay the burnt-offering and cut it into his pieces 7. And the sons of Aaron the priest shall put fire upon the altar and lay the wood in order upon the fire 8. And the priests Aaron's sons shall lay the parts the head and the fat in order upon the wood that is on the fire which is upon the altar 9. But his inwards and his legs shall he wash in water and the priest shall burn all on the altar to be a burnt-sacrifice an offering made by fire of a sweet savour unto the LORD 10. And if his offering be of the flocks namely of the sheep or of the goats for a burnt-sacrifice he shall bring it a maâ—e without blemish 11. And he shall kill it on the side of the altar north-ward before the LORD and the priests Aaron's sons shall sprinkle his blood round about upon the altar 12. And he shall cut it into his pieces with his head and his fat and the priests shall lay them in order on the wood that is on the fire which is upon the altar 13. But he shall wash the inwards and the legs with water and the priest shall bring it all and burn it upon the altar it is a burnt-sacrifice an offering made by fire of a sweet savour unto the LORD 14. And if the burnt-sacrifice for his offering to the LORD be of fowls then he shall bring his offering of turtle-doves or of young pigeons 15. And the priest shall bring it unto the altar and wring off his head and burn it on the altar and the blood thereof shall be wrung out at the side of the altar 16. And he shall pluck away his crop with his feathers and cast it beside the altar on the east-part by the place of the ashes 17. And he shall cleave it with the wings thereof but shall not divide it asunder and the priest shall burn it upon the altar upon the wood that is upon the fire it is a burnt-sacrifice an offering made by fire of a sweet savour unto the LORD 1. OVT of the tabernacle Which Moses was not able to enter into because the Cloud abode thereon and the Glory of the Lord filled it Exod. 40.35 2. An Offering Or Gift according to the Greek which rendring of theirs is confirmed Mark 7.11 Matth. 5.23 ch 8.4 The Hebrew word comes from a word that signifies To draw near Ye shall bring c. i. e. When you bring an Offering of the Cattel it shall be either of the Herd or of the Flock 3. Burnt-sacrifice The Hebrew word implies Ascent It was a Sacrifice that was intirely consumed and wholly given to God Neither the Priest nor Offerer had any share of it 1 Sam. 7.9 and v. 9. of this Chapter It is the principal Sacrifice and is fitly mentioned first as being that which speaks the good Will of the Offerer 2 Chron. 29.31 and best represents the intire and unreserved Devotion of the Worshippers of God Rom. 12.1 A male Of the most perfect kind This is required where the Burnt-offering is of the Cattel but not when of Fowlâ— Without blemish See Exod. 12.5 Of his own voluntary will Or For his own acceptation i. e. That he may be favourably accepted by God v. 4. It is however very certain That a whole Burnt-offering was a Sacrifice which a private person might offer of his voluntary Will whereas a Sin and Trespass-offering
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
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
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
The Eagle c. Those Fowls are forbid which are ravenous as the Eagle Vulture Kite Raven c. and which delight in the dark as the Owl and Bat c. and which creep upon the ground v. 20. Which possibly may imply how displeasing unto God are Covetousness and Cruelty a worldly Temper and the Works of Darkness See Theodoret. quaest XI on Levit. 22. Locust See Matth. 3.4 with Mark 1.6 23. Abomination See verse 10. As also the Note on Levit. 18.27 24. Shall be unclean i. e. He shall be under a legal uncleanness It shall not be lawfull for him to come unto the Tabernacle nor partake of the holy Oblation nor converse with them who do it 29. Mouse See Isaiah 66.17 32. It shall be unclean i. e. It shall not be used as before 33. Ye shall break it Ch. 6.28 34. Such water cometh i. e. Such Water as is unclean by touching unclean Meat or an unclean Vessel 36. Wherein there is plenty of water Heb. A gathering together of waters 38. But if any water c. i. e. If Water be put upon it to prepare it for the food of a Man 42. Hath more feet Heb. Doth multiply feet 43. Selves Heb. Souls 44. Ye shall be holy Chap. 19.2 and 20.7 1 Pet. 1.15 For I am holy And therefore ye ought to be like me and give Obedience to these Precepts of mine 47. To make a difference See chap. 10.9 10 11. CHAP. XII The ARGUMENT Vncleanness upon Child-birth Whether the Child born be Male or Female The Purification of a Woman after Child-birth according to the ability of the Woman 1. AND the LORD spake unto Moses saying 2. Speak unto the children of Israel saying If a woman have conceived seed and born a man-child then she shall be unclean seven days according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean 3. And in the eighth day the flesh of his fore-skin shall be circumcised 4. And she shall then continue in the blood of her purifying three and thirty days she shall touch no hallowed thing nor come into the sanctuary untill the days of her purifying be fulfilled 5. But if she bear a maid-child then she shall be unclean two weeks as in her separation and she shall continue in the blood of her purifying threescore and six days 6. And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled for a son or for a daughter she shall bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt-offering and a young pigeon or a turtle-dove for a sin-offering unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation unto the priest 7. Who shall offer it before the LORD and make an atonement for her and she shall be cleansed from the issue of her blood This is the law for her that hath born a male or a female 8. And if she be not able to bring a lamb then she shall bring two turtles or two young pigeons the one for the burnt-offering and the other for a sin-offering and the priest shall make an atonement for her and she shall be clean 1. UNto Moses It is not said unto Moses and Aaron as it is said in the Law of clean and unclean Beasts ch 11.1 and in that concerning the Leprosie of Men and of Houses ch 13.1 and ch 14.57 And the reason seems to be this Because in those Laws Aaron and his Sons were to judge and pronounce according to certain Rules what was clean and what unclean chap. 10.10 11. chap. 14.57 This required great Caution and some Skill But the Law in this Chapter relates to a matter that is plain 2. Woman Ch. 15.19 According to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean i. e. For those first seven days she shall be in as great a degree unclean and polluted as a Woman by the Law was during the seven days of her separation of which see ch 15.19 20. During which time she was not onely debarred the Sanctuary but separated from all communion or converse with others During that time she defiled what-ever she touched and that which was so defiled did also render him that touched it unclean Levit. 15.20 22. 3. Eighth day Luk. 2.22 Joh. 7.22 Then will the Child be better able to endure Circumcision and the Mother also past her greater pollution and may touch her Child without rendring it unclean See the Notes on Gen. 17.12 4. She shall then continue in the blood of her purifying c. i. e. After her first seven days she shall remain for the farther cleansing her Body three and thirty days In which time though she be not debarred from conversing with others she shall neither eat any holy thing nor yet go into the Sanctuary 5. But if she bear c. The time is doubled in case she bare a Female with respect perhaps to the Sin of Eve who was first in the transgression 1 Tim. 2.14 6. Of the first year Heb. A Son of his year 7. Make an atonement The Woman was under a legal impurity and therefore needed an Atonement And tho' Child-bearing were no Sin yet the pain thereof was a punishment of Sin Gen. 3.16 And the corrupt Condition of our Nature or our Original pravity seems hereby to be insinuated also Psal 51.5 8. And Luk. 2.24 She be not able to bring a lamb Heb. Her hand find not sufficiency of If there be first a willing mind it is accepted according to that a man hath and not according to that he hath not 2 Cor. 8.12 CHAP. XIII The ARGUMENT Of a Leprosie in a Man or Woman Of Leprosie in a Garment Of the Laws and Rules by which the Priest was to proceed in judging of it 1. AND the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron saying 2. When a man shall have in the skin of his flesh a rising a scab or bright spot and it be in the skin of his flesh like the plague of leprosie then he shall be brought unto Aaron the priest or unto one of his sons the priests 3. And the priest shall look on the plague in the skin of the flesh and when the hair in the plague is turned white and the plague in sight be deeper then the skin of his flesh it is a plague of leprosie and the priest shall look on him and pronounce him unclean 4. If the bright spot be white in the skin of his flesh and in sight be not deeper then the skin and the hair thereof be not turned white then the priest shall shut up him that hath the plague seven days 5. And the priest shall look on him the seventh day and behold if the plague in his sight be at a stay and the plague spread not in the skin then the priest shall shut him up seven days more 6. And the priest shall look on him again the seventh day and behold if the plague be somewhat dark and the plague spread not in the skin the priest shall pronounce
to which the words v. 24. seem particularly to referr But the word Abomination is sometimes applied to those things which were forbid by a positive Law and that were not antecedently evil as in Levit. 11.10 20 40 41. Deut. 17.1 And the practice of any of the things forbidden from v. 7. might be reckoned as Abominations especially to the Israelites and Proselytes of Justice who were obliged to keep these Laws see v. 26. in the sense of that word 28. Spued out See v. 25. CHAP. XIX The ARGUMENT Obedience to Parents is required and observation of God's Sabbaths Idolatry is forbidden The Law of the Peace-offering A remainder for the Poor out of the Harvest and Vintage Theft Fraud and Perjury Inhumanity Vnjustice and Tale-bearing are forbid so are Revenge and Hatred and divers mixtures Several other Laws viz. Concerning the use of Bondwomen planting Trees of Fruit eating Blood c. 1. AND the LORD spake unto Moses saying 2. Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel and say unto them Ye shall be holy for I the LORD your God am holy 3. Ye shall fear every man his mother and his father and keep my sabbaths I am the LORD your God 4 Turn ye not unto idols nor make to your selves molten gods I am the LORD your God 5. And if ye offer a sacrifice of peace-offerings unto the LORD ye shall offer it at your own will 6. It shall be eaten the same day ye offer it and on the morrow and if ought remain until the third day it shall be burnt in the fire 7. And if it be eaten at all on the third day it is abominable it shall not be accepted 8. Therefore every one that eateth it shall bear his iniquity because he hath profaned the hallowed thing of the LORD and that soul shall be cut off from among his people 9. And when ye reap the harvest of your land thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest 10. And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger I am the LORD your God 11. Ye shall not steal neither deal falsly neither lie one to another 12. And ye shall not swear by my name falsly neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God I am the LORD 13. Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour neither rob him the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning 14. Thou shalt not curse the deaf nor put a stumbling-block before the blind but shalt fear thy God I am the LORD 15. Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment thou shalt not respect the person of the poor nor honour the person of the mighty but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour 16. Thou shalt not go up and down as a tale-bearer among thy people neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour I am the LORD 17. Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour and not suffer sin upon him 18. Thou shalt not avenge nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self I am the LORD 19. Ye shall keep my statutes Thou shalt not let thy cattel gender with a diverse kind Thou shalt not sow thy field with mingled seed neither shall a garment mingled of linen and woollen come upon thee 20. And whosoever lieth carnally with a woman that is a bond-maid betrothed to an husband and not at all redeemed nor freedom given her she shall be scourged they shall not be put to death because she was not free 21. And he shall bring his trespass-offering unto the LORD unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation even a ram for a trespass-offering 22. And the priest shall make an atonement for him with the ram of the trespass-offering before the LORD for his sin which he hath done and the sin which he hath done shall be forgiven him 23. And when ye shall come into the land and shall have planted all manner of trees for food then ye shall count the fruit thereof as uncircumcised three years shall it be as uncircumcised unto you it shall not be eaten of 24. But in the fourth year all the fruit thereof shall be holy to praise the LORD withall 25. And in the fifth year shall ye eat of the fruit thereof that it may yield unto you the increase thereof I am the LORD your God 26. Ye shall not eat any thing with the blood neither shall ye use inchantment nor observe times 27. Ye shall not round the corners of your heads neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard 28. Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead nor print any marks upon you I am the LORD 29. Do not prostitute thy daughter to cause her to be a whore lest the land fall to whoredom and the land become full of wickedness 30. Ye shall keep my sabbaths and reverence my sanctuary I am the LORD 31. Regard not them that have familiar spirits neither seek after wizards to be defiled by them I am the LORD your God 32. Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head and honour the face of the old man and fear thy God I am the LORD 33. And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land ye shall not vex him 34. But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born amongst you and thou shalt love him as thy self for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt I am the LORD your God 35. Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment in mete-yard in weight or in measure 36. Just balances just weights a just ephah and a just hin shall ye have I am the LORD your God which brought you out of the land of Egypt 37. Therefore shall ye observe all my statutes and all my judgments and do them I am the LORD 2. Ye shall be holy Ch. 11.44 and 20.7 1 Pet. 1.16 3. Fear Or Reverence And this must be an inward Awe and Reverence and is due to the Mother who generally does not over-awe her Children as well as to the Father who hath greater Power and a superior Authority and is generally less despised Sabbaths Not onely the Seventh day but all other appointed times of rest ch 16.31 4. Idols The Hebrew word is observed to signifie things of nought and which have no true Being or Value See 1 Cor. 8.4 and ch 10.19 5. At your own will Or That it may be accepted i. e. Ye shall offer it as is appointed that so God may accept it This sense is confirmed by v. 7. and the Greek and Vulgar See Levit. 1.3 and 23.11 6. The same day If the Sacrifice of Peace-offering be for Thanksgiving ch 7.15 On the morrow If
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
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
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
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
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 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
this Chapter was the portion of the Priest out of every Peace-offering Levit 7.32 Hence this Shoulder which is an additional portion belonging to the Priest from the Nazarite's Peace-offering is said to be holy for the Priest with the Wave-breast and Heave-shoulder v. 20. which two last were reserved as his portion before Levit. 7.34 20. For a wave-offering Exod. 29.27 21. Besides that c. He is obliged though poor to do all which is prescribed before but if he be rich he may add to it 23. Aaron and unto his sons It was the proper Office of the Priests to bless the People Deut. 21.5 1 Chron. 23.13 24. Bless thee That is send thee plenty of good things Keep thee i. e. Preserve thee in that good and blessed Estate 25. Make his face to shine upon thee c. That is manifest his great favour towards thee This God did when he sent Christ into the World who was the Light of it And this great Blessing may well be supposed to be couched under these words Compare with these words 2 Cor. 4.4 26. The LORD c. i. e. The Lord take thee into his care and special Providence and as a proof of that give thee all the tokens of his kindness the greatest of his benefits and favours 27. They shall put my Name c. i. e. They shall in my Name pronounce this Blessing upon them CHAP. VII The ARGUMENT The Offerings of the Princes of the several Tribes upon the setting up of the Tabernacle and for the dedicating of the Altar The Summ of what was offered collected God speaketh to Moses from off the Mercy-seat 1. AND it came to pass on the day that Moses had fully set up the tabernacle and had anointed it and sanctified it and all the instruments thereof both the altar and all the vessels thereof and had anointed them and sanctified them 2. That the princes of Israel heads of the house of their fathers who were the princes of the tribes and were over them that were numbred offered 3. And they brought their offering before the LORD six covered wagons and twelve oxen a wagon for two of the princes and for each one an ox and they brought them before the tabernacle 4. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 5. Take it of them that they may be to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation and thou shalt give them unto the Levites to every man according to his service 6. And Moses took the wagons and the oxen 〈◊〉 gave them unto the Levites 7. Two wagons and four oxen he gave unto the sons of Gershon according to their service 8. And four wagons and eight oxen he gave unto the sons of Merari according unto their service under the hand of Ithâ—mar the son of Aaron the priest 9. But unto the sons of Kohath he gave none because the service of the sanctuary belonging unto them was that they should bear upon their shoulders 10. And the princes offered for dedicating of the altar in the day that it was anointed even the princes offered their offering before the altar 11. And the LORD said unto Moses They shall offer their offering each prince on his day for the dedicating of the altar 12. And he that offered his offering the first day was Nahshon the son of Amminadab of the tribe of Judah 13. And his offering was one silver charger the weight thereof was an hundred and thirty shekels one silver bowl of seventy shekels after the shekel of the sanctuary both of them were full of fine flour mingled with oyl for a meat-offering 14. One spoon of ten shekels of gold full of incense 15. One young bullock one ram one lamb of the first year for a burnt-ffering 16. One kid of the goats for a sin-offering 17. And for a sacrifice of peace-offerings two oxen five rams five he-goats five lambs of the first year This was the offering of Nahshon the son of Amminadab 18. On the second day Nethaneel the son of Zuar prince of Issachar did offer 19. He offered for his offering one silver charger the weight whereof was an hundred and thirty shekels one silver bowl of seventy shekels after the shekel of the sanctuary both of them full of fine flour mingled with oyl for a meat-offering 20. One spoon of gold of ten shekels full of incense 21. One young bullock one ram one lamb of the first year for a burnt-offering 22. One kid of the goats for a sin-offering 23. And for a sacrifice of peace-offerings two oxen five rams five he-goats five lambs of the first year This was the offering of Nethaneel the son of Zuar 24. On the third day Eliab the son of Helon prince of the children of Zebulun did offer 25. His offering was one silver charger the weight whereof was an hundred and thirty shekels one silver bowl of seventy shekels after the shekel of the sanctuary both of them full of fine flower mingled with oyl for a meat-offering 26. One golden spoon of ten shekels full of incense 27. One young bullock one ram one lamb of the first year for a burnt-offering 28. One kid of the goats for a sin-offering 29. And for a sacrifice of peace-offerings two oxen five rams five he-goats five lambs of the first year This was the offering of Eliab the son of Helon 30. On the fourth day Elizur the son of Shedeur prince of the children of Reuben did offer 31. His offering was one silver charger of an hundred and thirty shekels one silver bowl of seventy shekels after the shekel of the sanctuary both of them full of fine flour mingled with oyl for a meat-offering 32. One golden spoon of ten shekels full of incense 33. One young bullock one ram one lamb of the first year for a burnt-offering 34. One kid of the goats for a sin-offering 35. And for a sacrifice of peace-offerings two oxen five rams five he-goats five lambs of the first year This was the offering of Elizur the son of Shedeur 36. On the fifth day Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai prince of the children of Simeon did offer 37. His offering was one silver charger the weight whereof was an hundred and thirty shekels one silver bowl of seventy shekels after the shekel of the sanctuary both of them full of fine flour mingled with oyl for a meat-offering 38. One golden spoon of ten shekels full of incense 39. One young bullock one ram one lamb of the first year for a burnt-offering 40. One kid of the goats for a sin-offering 41. And for a sacrifice of peace-offerings two oxen five rams five he-goats five lambs of the first year This was the offering of Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai 42. On the sixth day Eliasaph the son of Deuel prince of the children of Gad offered 43. His offering was one silver charger of the weight of an hundred and thirty shekels a silver bowl of seventy shekels after the shekel of the
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
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
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
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
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
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
for the proof of what is said v. 13. That Arnon was now the border and not the possession of Moab This being of moment because the Israelites were forbidden to invade the possession of Moab he confirms it from a certain Book or Narrative of the Wars of the Lord which was then well known and now lost Out of which he citing a fragment onely to his present purpose it is no wonder that the passage is obscure What he did in the Red-sea Or Vaheb in Suphah It is enough for the present purpose that the Author of that Narrative who gives an account of the Wars of the Lord and particularly what he did at the Red-sea or at Vaheb in the Country of Suphah gives also a Relation of what happened about Arnon of which we have some account v. 26. and such a Relation as confirms what he said v. 13. viz. That Arnon was now onely the Border of Moab 15. Ar A City of Moab called Ar of Moab v. 28. and Isa 15.1 Lieth Heb. Leaneth 16. To Beer Or to the Well which God promised to Moses and supplied the Israelites with at this time 17. Song viz. O Praise Spring up Heb. Ascend Sing Or Answer It was the ancient Custom of the Hebrews to sing their Hymns of Praise alternately and he that made the Response or answered sang as well as he that began the Hymn Then Miriam is said to answer Exod. 15.20 And the Singing Women to answer one another 1 Sam. 18.7 18. Digged i. e. They thrust their Staves against the ground but God gave them the Water v. 16. Law-giver i. e. Moses v. 16. 20. That is in Or that is nigh or near So the Hebrew Particle sometimes signifies 1 Sam. 29.1 2 Chron. 15.16 Judg. 6.11 1 King 15.13 And this sense very well suits with this place Country Heb. Field Pisgah Or the Hill Jeshimon Or the Wilderness 21. Sent messengers Though Sihon were devoted to destruction yet this Course rendred him the more inexcusable and the justice of his destruction more conspicuous 22. Let me pass Deut. 2.27 Judg. 11.19 23. And Sihon Deut. 29.7 24. Israel Josh 12.2 Psal 135.10 11. Amos 2.9 Jabbock A River on the Borders of Ammon For the border of the children of Ammon was strong These words are not brought in as the reason why the Israelites carried their Victory no farther for the Country of Ammon was no part of their promised Land nay they were forbid to invade it Deut. 2.19 but as the reason why Sihon had not gained upon the Country of the Children of Ammon as he had upon that of Moab 25. Villages Heb. Daughters 27. Wherefore they that speak in proverbs c. The meaning of the place seems to be this That the Success of Sihon against the Moabites was so notorious and his Strength and that of Heshbon which he took from them so renowned that Men were wont in that time commonly to triumph and boast of it and say Come into Heshbon c. A Proverb sometimes imports no more than a Common Saying or By-word 1 Sam. 24.13 accompanied with insulting and boasting Hab. 2.6 Deut. 28.37 And what we render they that speak in proverbs in the Hebrew is expressed by one word which signifies ruling or imperious Men. Come into Heshbon c. These are the insulting Words which were commonly used at that time setting forth the Strength of Heshbon now in the possession of a powerfull Prince and therefore justly formidable to the remainder of Moab which is insulted over as a destroyed People v. 29. 29. People of Chemosh Or People that serveth Chemosh as the Chaldee hath it Chemosh was the Idol or Abomination as it is called 1 King 11.7 of Moab 30. In the land of the Amorites i. e. In that Land which they at that time possessed some of which was awhile ago in the possession of the Moabites 32. Jaazer A City at this time in the possession of the Amorites about which was good Pasture for Cattel Numb 32.1 3 4. 33. And they turned c. Deut. 3.1 and 29.7 34. Thou shalt do c. Psal 135.10 11. CHAP. XXII The ARGUMENT The Israelites remove to the Plains of Moab Balak sends to Balaam to Curse the People of Israel he refuseth to come He sends to him again and he goeth Of Balaam's Ass An Angel meets him He is received by Balak 1. AND the children of Israel set forward and pitched in the plains of Moab on this side Jordan by Jericho 2. And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites 3. And Moab was sore afraid of the people because they were many and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel 4. And Moab said unto the elders of Midian Now shall this company lick up all that are round about us as the ox licketh up the grass of the field And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time 5. He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor which is by the river of the land of the children of his people to call him saying Behold there is a people come out from Egypt behold they cover the face of the earth and they abide over against me 6. Come now therefore I pray thee curse me this people for they are too mighty for me peradventure I shall prevail that we may smite them and that I may drive them out of the land for I wot that he whom thou blessest is blessed and he whom thou cursest is cursed 7. And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand and they came unto Balaam and spake unto him the words of Balak 8. And he said unto them Lodge here this night and I will bring you word again as the LORD shall speak unto me And the princes of Moab abode with Balaam 9. And God came unto Balaam and said What men are these with thee 10. And Balaam said unto God Balak the son of Zippor king of Moab hath sent unto me saying 11. Behold there is a people come out of Egypt which covereth the face of the earth Come now curse me them peradventure I shall be able to overcome them and drive them out 12. And God said unto Balaam Thou shalt not go with them thou shalt not curse the people for they are blessed 13. And Balaam rose up in the morning and said unto the princes of Balak Get you into your land for the LORD refuseth to give me leave to go with you 14. And the princes of Moab rose up and they went unto Balak and said Balaam refuseth to come with us 15. And Balak sent yet again princes more and more honourable then they 16. And they came to Balaam and said to him Thus saith Balak the son of Zippor Let nothing I pray thee hinder thee from coming unto me 17. For I will promote thee unto very great honour and I will
he did acknowledge the true God with which profession as he joined Enchantments ch 24.1 so he added Sacrifices on the high places of Baal v. 41. with ch 23.2 9. God came c. i. e. God manifested himself to him or the Word of God came to him as the Chaldee What men c. This is to introduce what follows and does not imply that God did not know who they were See Gen. 4.9 10. 11. I shall be able to over-come them Heb. I shall prevail in fighting against them 13. The LORD refuseth c. This is not all which he might and ought to have said to prevent any farther importunity in this matter For God had strictly forbid him to Curse this People and assured him that they were Blessed which Declaration was sufficient to have prevented any farther Message from Moab and to have restrained Balaam from any farther inquiry in this matter 14. Balaam refuseth They ought to have said the Lord refuseth to give him leave v. 13. in order to the preventing of another Message 16. Let nothing Heb. Be not thou letted from c. 18. If Balak would Chap. 24.13 He professes himself restrained by God from which restraint he is willing to get loose as appears from the following words 20. God came See verse 9. 22. God's anger was kindled because he went This may seem strange that God should be angry with him for going when he bid him rise up and go v. 20. For the removing this difficulty it is to be considered I. That God had expressly forbid his going at the first God had said to him Thou shalt not go with them v. 12. II. That God did after this onely permit but not command nor yet approve his going God having declared himself positively v. 12. Balaam ought not to have made farther inquiry yet this he did out of Covetousness upon the arrival of more honourable Messengers v. 15. with 2 Pet. 2.15 III. His going was attended with an evil design The Angel says Thy way is perverse before me v. 32. and he seemed to go with a purpose to Curse Israel which the King of Moab expressly desired and God as expressly had forbidden v. 12. Nevertheless the Lord thy God would not hearken unto Balaam But the Lord thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee because the Lord thy God loved thee Deut. 23.5 23. The Ass saw 2 Pet. 2.16 Jud. 11. Which was more than Balaam or his Servants did God thinking fit to restrain their sight 28. And the LORD opened the mouth c. This God did by his irresistible Power and no Man can think it incredible that believes that there is a God who made the World 29. Balaam said c. Balaam seems not to be astonished at the speaking of the Ass partly this may be imputed to that stupidity and hardness of heart to which we suppose him given up and partly to this That he being a South-sayer and Magician he had been used to very uncouth appearances and to things which to others would have been very astonishing 30. Vpon which thou hast ridden Heb. Who hast ridden upon me Ever since I was thine Or Ever since thou wast c. 31. Fell flat on his face Or Bowed himself 32. To withstand thee Heb. To be an adversary unto thee 34. I have sinned for I knew not c. He He makes no Confession of his Covetousness which was the faulty Principle which set him forward Displease thee Heb. Be evil in thine eyes 36. In the utmost coast See chap. 21.16 39. Kirjath-huzoth Or a City of Streets A place in the extremity of the Country of Moab See the Vulgar Latin 40. Sent to Balaam c. To feast upon the Oxen and Sheep which he had slain 41. The high places of Baal i. e. The high places set a-part for the Worship of their Idol or False God Baal See chap. 25.2 3. Thither Balak brings Balaam as to a place most advantageous for his purpose both as it was a place dedicated to Baal and for its height giving him a prospect of the Camp of Israel CHAP. XXIII The ARGUMENT Balak's Sacrifices The Words of Balaam Balaam is brought by Balak to another place His Parable He Blesseth the Israelites Balak takes him to another place 1. AND Balaam said unto Balak Build me here seven altars and prepare me here seven oxen and seven raâ—s 2. And Balak did as Balaam had spoken and Balak and Balaam offered on every altar a bullock and a ram 3. And Balaam said unto Balak Stand by thy burnt-offering and I will go peradventure the LORD will come to meet me and whatsoever he sheweth me I will tell thee And he went to an high place 4. And God met Balaam and he said unto him I have prepared seven altars and I have offered upon every altar a bullock and a ram 5. And the LORD put a word in Balaam's mouth and said Return unto Balak and thus thou shalt speak 6. And he returned unto him and lo he stood by his burnt-sacrifice he and all the princes of Moab 7. And he took up his parable and said Balak the king of Moab hath brought me from Aram out of the mountains of the east saying Come curse me Jacob and come defie Israel 8. How shall I curse whom God hath not cursed or how shall I defie whom the LORD hath not defied 9. For from the top of the rocks I see him and from the hills I bebold him lo the people shall dwell alone and shall not be reckoned among the nations 10. Who can count the dust of Jacob and the number of the fourth part of Israel Let me die the death of the righteous and let my last end be like his 11. And Balak said unto Balaam What hast thou done unto me I took thee to curse mine enemies and behold thou hast blessed them altogether 12. And he answered and said Must I not take heed to speak that which the LORD hath put in my mouth 13. And Balak said unto him Come I pray thee with me unto another place from whence thou mayest see them thou shalt see but the utmost part of them and shalt not see them all and curse me them from thence 14. And he brought him into the field of Zophim to the top of Pisgah and built seven altars and offered a bullock and a ram on every altar 15. And he said unto Balak Stand here by thy burnt-offering while I meet the LORD yonder 16. And the LORD met Balaâ—â— and put a word in his mouth â—â—d said Go again unto Balak and say thus 17. And when he came to him behold he stood by his burnt-offering and the princes of Moab with him And Balak said unto him What hath the LORD spoken 18. And he took up his parable and said Rise up Balak and hear hearken unto me thou son of Zippor 19. God is not a man that he should lye neither the son of man that he should repent
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
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
LORD 6. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 7. The daughters of Zelophehad speak right thou shalt surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father's brethren and thou shalt cause the inheritance of their father to pass unto them 8. And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel saying If a man die and have no son then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his daughter 9. And if he have no daughter then ye shall give his inheritance unto his brethren 10. And if he have no brethren then ye shall give his inheritance unto his father's brethren 11. And if his father have no brethren then ye shall give his inheritance unto his kinsman that is next to him of his family and he shall possess it and it shall be unto the children of Israel a statute of judgment as the LORD commanded Moses 12. And the LORD said unto Moses Get thee up into this mount Abarim and see the land which I have given unto the children of Israel 13. And when thou hast seen it thou also shalt be gathered unto thy people as Aaron thy brother was gathered 14. For ye rebelled against my commandment in the desart of Zin in the strife of the congregation to sanctifie me at the water before their eyes that is the water of Meribah in Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin 15. And Moses spake unto the LORD saying 16. Let the LORD the God of the spirits of all flesh set a man over the congregation 17. Which may go out before them and which may go in before them and which may lead them out and which may bring them in that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd 18. And the LORD said unto Moses Take thee Joshua the son of Nâ—â— a man in whom is the spirit and lay thine hand upon him 19. And set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation and give him a charge in their sight 20. And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient 21. And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD at his word shall they go out and at his word they shall come in both he and all the children of Israel with him even all the congregation 22. And Moses did as the LORD commanded him and he took Joshua and set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation 23. And he laid his hands upon him and gave him a charge as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses 1. ZElophehad Ch. 26.13 Josh 17.3 3. Died Chap. 14.35 and 26.64 65. Korah Chap. 16. In his own sin i. e. Not as a Ring-leader of any Rebellion or Sedition or as a more notorious Sinner than other Men but as a common and ordinary Sinner to whom yet Death is due 4. Done away Heb. Diminished Their Father being no notorious Sinner his Children might well plead for an Inheritance which these Women had a fair occasion to do in their Father's right at this time because the Summ of the People was just now taken in order to the dividing the Land among them chap. 26.53 5. Brought their cause before the LORD That is He enquired of God in this matter and to that purpose it is probable he went into the Tabernacle See chap. 7.89 and Exod. 25.22 9. Vnto his brethren That is Upon supposition that his Father be dead For if his Father be alive the Inheritance as the Jews say with great probability returns to him and comes not to his Brethren first excepting onely where the Widow of the deceased is married to a surviving Brother as may be collected from v. 10 11. The Father is supposed to be dead v. 10. it being very improbable otherwise that his Brethren should rather inherit than he especially when it is provided that the Inheritance should pass to him that is next of the Family of him who is deceased v. 11. And that the Brethren's claim is from the Father as they were his Children rather than as the Brethren of the deceased vid. Selden de Success cap. XI 12. Get thee up Deut. 32.49 Into this mount Abarim There were a Tract of Mountains so called in the Plains of Moab ch 33.47 This Mountain was called Nebo Deut. 32.49 And they are called Abarim it is like because they were near the passage which was over Jordan as the Hebrew word intimates 13. Aaron Chap. 20.24 14. Rebelled Ch. 20.24 See the Notes on ch 20.12 Water Exod. 17.7 17. Which may go out before them and which may go in before them i. e. Which may rule and govern them in War and Peace and lead them as a Shepherd doth his Flock Deut. 28.6 When Moses expressed his unfitness for Government he says I can no more go out and come in Deut. 31.2 See Psal 121.8 18. Spirit i. e. The Spirit of God enabling him for his great Office He was in this a Type of Jesus Christ Joh. 3.34 with Isa 11.2 Lay thine hand upon him i. e. By that Rite set him a-part to his Office See Numb 8.10 This laying on of Hands see v. 23. was followed with encrease of Gifts from God And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of Wisdom for Moses had laid his hands upon him Deut. 34.9 20. And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him i. e. Thou shalt not treat him barely as a Servant but admit him forthwith as a Partner in the Government as becomes him who is the Elect Judge or Ruler of his People 21. Ask counsel viz. In weighty and important Matters After the judgment of Vrim Exod. 28.30 CHAP. XXVIII The ARGUMENT Of the daily or continual Burnt-offering Of the additional Sacrifice on the Sabbath-day Of that of the New Moons Of that of the Passeover and Feast of Vnleavened Bread Of that of the Feast of Weeks 1. AND the LORD spake unto Moses saying 2. Command the children of Israel and say unto them My offering and my bread for my sacrifices made by fire for a sweet savour unto me shall ye observe to offer unto me in their due season 3. And thou shalt say unto them This is the offering made by fire which ye shall offer unto the LORD two lambs of the first year without spot day by day for a continual burnt-offering 4. The one lamb shalt thou offer in the morning and the other lamb shalt thou offer at even 5. And a tenth part of an ephah of flour for a meat-offering mingled with the fourth part of an hin of beaten oyl 6. It is a continual burnt-offering which was ordained in mount Sinai for a sweet savour a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD 7. And the drink-offering thereof shall be the fourth part of an hin for the one lamb in the holy place shalt thou cause the strong
her soul 7. And her husband heard it and held his peace at her in the day that he heard it then her vows shall stand and her bonds wherewith she bound her soul shall stand 8. But if her husband disallow her on the day that he heard it then he shall make her vow which she vowed and that which she uttered with her lips wherewith she bound her soul of none effect and the LORD shall forgive her 9. But every vow of a widow and of her that is divorced wherewith they have bound their souls shall stand against her 10. And if she vowed in her husband's house or bound her soul by a bond with an oath 11. And her husband heard it and held his peace at her and disallowed her not then all her vows shall stand and every bond wherewith she hound her soul shall stand 12. But if her husband hath utterly made them void on the day he heard them then whatsoever proceeded out of her lips concerning her vows or concerning the bond of her soul shall not stand her husband hath made them void and the LORD shall forgive her 13. Every vow and every binding oath to afflict the soul her husband may establish it or her husband may make it void 14. But if her husband altogether hold his peace at her from day to day then he establisheth all her vows or all her bonds which are upon her he confirmeth them because he held his peace at her in the day that he heard them 15. But if he shall any ways make them void after that he hath heard them then he shall bear her iniquity 16. These are the statutes which the LORD commanded Moses between a man and his wife between the father and his daughter being yet in her youth in her father's house 1. UNto the heads of the tribes Who were to impart it to the rest of the People whom it concerned 2. A man This denotes both the Sex as appears from v. 3. and a competent age Vow a vow unto the LORD i. e. Make a Religious Promise unto the Lord. Swear an oath c. i. e. Confirm his Vow with an Oath by calling God to witness Break Heb. Profane He shall do c. Provided what he vows be a lawful thing Mark 6.23 3. A woman Who is in Subjection as appears from what follows And therefore the Law extends to other Subjects who are not to dispose of themselves without the consent of their just Superiors A Woman is named because she is most subject Being in her father's house in her youth That is Being in the Family and under the Government of her Father and not disposed of in Marriage See v. 6 9. 5. In the day that he heareth i. e. Forth-with after it is come to his knowledge See v. 8 9 14 15. Shall forgive her Or Will forgive her i. e. Will not impute her not performing such a Vow unto her 6. She vowed Heb. Her vows were upon her 9. Every vow 〈◊〉 widow i. e. Every Vow made in her Widowhood and when she had power to dispose of her self and Actions 10. And if she vowed in her husband's house i. e. If she that is now a Widow or divorced did make her Vow during her Husband's life or before she was divorced from him This sense which is very natural distinguisheth this Law from that in the sixth Verse 11. All her vows shall stand Those Vows which she then made shall oblige her in her Widowhood 13. To afflict the soul Such are Vows of Fasting or Abstinence Levit. 16.29 15. But if he shall any ways make them void c. i. e. If the Husband after he hath by his silence established the Vow of his Wife shall by his Power and Authority over her hinder her from performing such a Vow the sin in this case shall not be imputed to the Wife who was ready to perform her Vow but to her Husband who restrained her CHAP. XXXI The ARGUMENT The Israelites overcome the Midianites and slay Balaam They saved the Women alive at which Moses is offended and commands them what they shall do with them and also to purify themselves Of dividing the Prey and of the Lord's Tribute out of it 1. AND the LORD spake unto Moses saying 2. Avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites afterward shalt thou be gathered unto thy people 3. And Moses spake unto the people saying Arm some of your selves unto the war and let them go against the Midianites and avenge the LORD of Midian 4. Of every tribe a thousand throughout all the tribes of Israel shall ye send to the war 5. So there were delivered out of the thousands of Israel a thousand of every tribe twelve thousand armed for war 6. And Moses sent them to the war a thousand of every tribe them and Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest to the war with the holy instruments and the trumpets to blow in his hand 7. And they warred against the Midianites as the LORD commanded Moses and they slew all the males 8. And they slew the kings of Midian beside the rest of them that were slain namely Evi and Rekem and Zur and Hur and Reba five kings of Midian Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword 9. And the children of Israel took all the women of Midian captives and their little ones and took the spoil of all their cattel and all their flocks and all their goods 10. And they burnt all their cities wherein they dwelt and all their goodly castles with fire 11. And they took all the spoil and all the prey both of men and of beasts 12. And they brought the captives and the prey and the spoil unto Moses and Eleazar the priest and unto the congregation of the children of Israel unto the camp at the plains of Moab which are by Jordan near Jericho 13. And Moses and Eleazar the priest and all the princes of the congregation went forth to meet them without the camp 14. And Moses was wroth with the officers of the host with the captains over thousands and captains over hundreds which came from the battel 15. And Moses said unto them Have ye saved all the women alive 16. Behold these caused the children of Israel through the counsel of Balaam to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD 17. Now therefore kill every male among the little ones and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him 18. But all the women-children that have not known a man by lying with him keep alive for your selves 19. And do ye abide without the camp seven days whosoever hath killed any person and whosoever hath touched any slain purifie both your selves and your captives on the third day and on the seventh day 20. And purifie all your raiment and all that is made of skins and all work of goats hair and all things
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
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
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
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
and suffered thee to hunger and fed thee with manna which thou knewest not neither did thy fathers know that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread onely but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live 4. Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee neither did thy foot swell these forty years 5. Thou shalt also consider in thine heart that as a man chasteneth his son so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee 6. Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God to walk in his ways and to fear him 7. For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good land a land of brooks of water of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills 8. A land of wheat and barley and vines and fig-trees and pomegranates a land of oyl-olive and honey 9. A land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness thou shalt not lack any thing in it a land whose stones are iron and out of whose hills thou mayest dig brass 10. When thou hast eaten and art full then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee 11. Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God in not keeping his commandments and his judgments and his statutes which I command thee this day 12. Lest when thou hast eaten and art full and hast built goodly houses and dwelt therein 13. And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied and all that thou hast is multiplied 14. Then thine heart be lifted up and thou forget the LORD thy God which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt from the house of bondage 15. Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness wherein were fiery serpents and scorpions and drought where there was no water who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint 16. Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna which thy fathers knew not that he might humble thee and that he might prove thee to do thee good at thy latter end 17. And thou say in thine heart my power and the might of my hand hath gotten me this wealth 18. But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers as it is this day 19. And it shall be if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God and walk after other gods and serve them and worship them I testifie against you this day that ye shall surely perish 20. As the nations which the LORD destroyeth before your face so shall ye perish because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the LORD your God 1. THat ye may live i. e. That ye may live happily and prosperously For life in the Scripture-phrase sometimes signifies more than bare Life viz. Prosperity and Ease c. Let the King live Was an ancient Comâ—â—cation of the People when they wished him prosperity 1 King 1.25 compare 1 Sam. 25.6 and Levit. 25.36 and also 1 Thess 3.8 Joh. 4.51 52. On the other hand Afflictions and Troubles are called Death Exod. 10.17 2 Cor. 11.23 2. To know what was in thine heart i. e. To discover the frowardness and naughtiness that was in thee A discovery very usefull to them and instructive to others 1 Cor. 10.11 12. 3. That man doth not live by bread onely but by every word that proceedeth c. Matt. 4.4 Luk. 4.4 That is that Man is not sustained onely by the food which he eats but what-ever God appoints for that End how unlikely soever it be does sustain him as was seen in the Manna It being the Blessing of God that renders our food the support of our life 4. Thy raiment Nehem. 9.21 5. As a man chasteneth his son That is moderately and for the good of him that is chastened 8. Of Oyl-olive Heb. Of Olive-tree of Oyl 10. When thou hast eaten and art full then thou shalt bless c. chap. 6.11 12. This solemn Praise of God for our food is due from us both for the food and the nourishment we receive thereby see v. 3. and not to render it is an argument of great profaneness and detestable ingratitude 14. Then thine heart be lifted up c. viz. With pride and self-conceit as if thou hadst deserved these Blessings See ch 6.12 15. Who brought thee forth water Numb 20.11 16. Manna Exod 16.15 That he might humble thee c. Here are three Ends of God's giving them Manna mentioned viz. First To humble them by teaching them their own insufficiency and constant dependence upon Him Secondly To try or prove them viz. To prove their Obedience to his Law concerning it and their Faith in Him Thirdly By this means to prepare them for farther Mercies or to do them good at their latter end CHAP. IX The ARGUMENT Moses beats off the Israelites from an Opinion of their own Righteousness and to this purpose represents to them their Rebellions and Provocations Especially their great Sin in making and worshipping the Molten Calf 1. HEar O Israel thou art to pass over Jordan this day to go in to possess nations greater and mightier then thy self cities great and fenced up to heaven 2. A people great and tall the children of the Anakims whom thou knowest and of whom thou hast heard say Who can stand before the children of Anak 3. Vnderstand therefore this day that the LORD thy God is be which goeth over before thee as a consuming fire he shall destroy them and he shall bring them down before thy face so shalt thou drive them out and destroy them quickly as the LORD hath said unto thee 4. Speak not thou in thine heart after that the LORD thy God hath cast them out from before thee saying For my righteousness the LORD hath brought me in to possess this land but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD doth drive them out from before thee 5. Not for thy righteousness or for the uprightness of thine heart dost thou go to possess their land but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee and that he may perform the word which the LORD sware unto thy fathers Abraham Isaac and Jacob. 6. Vnderstand therefore that the LORD thy God giveth thee not this good land to possess it for thy righteousness for thou art a stiff-necked people 7. Remember and forget not how thou provokedst the LORD thy God to wrath in the wilderness from the day that thou didst depart out of the land of Egypt untill ye came unto this place ye have been rebellious against the LORD 8. Also in Horeb ye provoked the LORD to wrath so that the LORD was angry with you to have destroyed you 9. When I was gone up into the mount to receive the tables of stone even the tables of
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
were the peculiar Office of the Priests the Sons of Levi yet the other Families of the Levites were concerned in blessing and praising God 1 Chron. 16.4 and by the faithfull discharge of their Ministry did contribute toward the bringing Blessings upon the People 9. Wherefore Levi Numb 18.20 The reason why they had no inheritance follows The LORD is his inheritance i. e. The Gifts which He hath assigned or given him as the Chaldee hath it here are his See the Note on Numb 18.20 10. First time Or Former days 11. Take thy journey Heb. Go in journey This is mentioned as a proof that God had hearkned to the Intercession of Moses See the Note on verse 6. 12. And now O Israel c. Here Moses exhorts them to Obedience from very powerfull Arguments viz. I. From the Consideration of God's former Mercies v. 10 11. and v. 22. II. From his Soveraign Authority v. 14. III. From his peculiar Kindness to them v. 15. IV. From his infinite Power v. 17. And V. From his inflexible Justice v. 17 18. 14. The Earth Psal 24.1 16. Circumcise therefore the fore-skin of your heart c. i. e. Do not content your selves with the bare Circumcision of the fore-skin of your Flesh but cast away the filthiness of your Mind and Manners Compare Deut. 30.6 and Rom. 2.28 29. 17. Regardeth not persons What-ever Nation they be of he will deal righteously with them 2 Chron. 19.7 Job 34.19 Act. 10.34 Rom. 2.11 Gal. 2.6 Ephes 6.9 Col. 3.25 1 Pet. 1.17 19. Love ye therefore the stranger c. See Levit. 19.33 34. 20. Thou shalt fear Chap. 6.13 Matt. 4.10 Luk. 48. Cleave Chap. 13.4 21. He is thy praise He is both the fittest object of thy Honour and Praise and the Author of what-ever makes thee worthy of Praise 22. With threescore c. Gen. 46.27 Exod. 1.5 As the stars According to his promise to Abraham Gen. 15.5 CHAP. XI The ARGUMENT The Israelites are exhorted to love and obey God They are put in mind of the wonderfull Works of God which they had seen And upon their Obedience are promised the good Land and great Prosperity therein Blessing and a Curse are set before them Of the Mounts Gerizim and Ebal 1. THerefore thou shalt love the LORD thy God and keep his charge and his statutes and his judgments and his commandments alway 2. And know ye this day for I speak not with your children which have not known and which have not seen the chastisement of the LORD your God his greatness his mighty hand and his stretched-out arm 3. And his miracles and his acts which he did in the midst of Egypt unto Pharaoh the king of Egypt and unto all his land 4. And what he did unto the army of Egypt unto their horses and to their chariots how he made the water of the Red-sea to overflow them as they pursued after you and how the LORD hath destroyed them unto this day 5. And what he did unto you in the wilderness untill ye came into this place 6. And what he did unto Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab the son of Reuben how the earth opened her mouth and swallowed them up and their housholds and their tents and all the substance that was in their possession in the midst of all Israel 7. But your eyes have seen all the great acts of the LORD which he did 8. Therefore shall ye keep all the commandments which I command you this day that ye may be strong and go in and possess the land whither ye go to possess it 9. And that ye may prolong your days in the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give unto them and to their seed a land that floweth with milk and honey 10. For the land whither thou goest in to possess it is not as the land of Egypt from whence ye came out where thou sowedst thy seed and wateredst it with thy foot as a garden of herbs 11. But the land whither ye go to possess it is a land of hills and valleys and drinketh water of the rain of heaven 12. A land which the LORD thy God careth for the eyes of the LORD thy God are always upon it from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year 13. And it shall come to pass if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day to love the LORD your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul 14. That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season the first rain and the latter rain that thou mayest gather in thy corn and thy wine and thine oyl 15. And I will send grass in thy fields for thy cattel that thou mayest eat and be full 16. Take heed to your selves that your heart be not deceived and ye turn aside and serve other gods and worship them 17. And then the LORD's wrath be kindled against you and he shut up the heaven that there be no rain and that the land yield nor her fruit and lest ye perish quickly from off the good land which the LORD giveth you 18. Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul and bind them for a sign upon your hand that they may be as frontlets between your eyes 19. And ye shall teach them your children speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house and when thou walkest by the way when thou liest down and when thou risest up 20. And thou shalt write them upon the door-posts of thine house and upon thy gates 21. That your days may be multiplied and the days of your children in the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give them as the days of heaven upon the earth 22. For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you to do them to love the LORD your God to walk in all his ways and to cleave unto him 23. Then will the LORD drive out all these nations from before you and ye shall possess greater nations and mightier then your selves 24. Every place whereon the soles of your feet shall tread shall be yours from the wilderness and Lebanon from the river the river Euphrates even unto the uttermost see shall your coast be 25. There shall no man be able to stand before you for the LORD your God shall lay the fear of you and the dread of you upon all the land that ye shall tread upon as he hath said unto you 26. Behold I set before you this day a blessing and a curse 27. A blessing if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you this day 28. And a curse if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day to go after other gods which ye have not known 29. And it shall come to
pass when the LORD thy God hath brought thee in unto the land whither thou goest to possess it that thou shalt put the blessing upon mount Gerizim and the curse upon mount Ebal 30. Are they not on the other side Jordan by the way where the sun goeth down in the land of the Canaanites which dwell in the champain over against Gilgal beside the plains of Moreh 31. For ye shall pass over Jordan to go in to possess the land which the LORD your God giveth you and ye shall possess it and dwell therein 32. And ye shall observe to do all the statutes and judgments which I set before you this day 1. HIS charge i. e. What-ever he hath given in charge 2. Know i. e. Consider For that is the sense of the word here and in many other places Isa 1.3 Eccles 5.1 6. What he did unto Dathan c. Numb 16.31 and 27.3 Ps 106.17 This is mentioned here as a most remarkable Example of God's displeasure for their Rebellion Substance Or living substance That was in their possession The meaning is which followed them and appertained to them Heb. Was at their feet 7. But your eyes have seen They which came out of Egypt had seen all and others some of God's Acts. 10. Is not as the land of Egypt The comparing it with the Land of Egypt in this place is not designed with respect to the fruitfulness of it but to make them sensible that they ought immediately to depend upon God's good Providence and endeavour to please him who is onely able to send them fruitfull Seasons And wateredst it with thy foot That is by deriving Water from the River Nilus which was done either by digging Furrows in the Earth or by fetching Water both which speak the labour of the Feet And the Land of Canaan would set them free from this toil 11. And drinketh water of the rain of heaven There was little or no Rain in Egypt and therefore the Inhabitants depended upon the over-flowing of Nilus for their increase and derived Water thence to the Land which they had sowed with great labour The Land of Canaan was better provided for 'T was supplied without the labour and industry of Men and the Inhabitants taught to look up to God for seasonable showrs 12. Careth for Heb. Seeketh This imports a more peculiar Providence of God upon which the Inhabitants were taught to depend and not upon the labour and industry which though used in Egypt they would now be excused from 14. The first rain and the latter rain The first upon sowing the Seed that it might take root The latter before Harvest that the Ear might be filled See Jer. 5.24 15. Send Heb. Give 16. Be not deceived viz. By any artifice what-ever the Idolaters may make use of E. g. A pretence that they direct their Worship by their Images to the Supreme God and that they enjoy fruitfull Seasons as a reward of their Worship and such-like 18. Bind them Chap. 6.8 With the Note upon that place 19. And ye shall Ch. 4.10 and 6.7 21. As the days of heaven upon earth That is as long as the World endures Whiles the Heaven keeps its place over the Earth according to the Vulgar Latin Thus we read His seed will I make to endure for ever and then it follows And his throne as the days of heaven Psal 89.29 See Jer. 33.25 24. Every place Josh 1.3 This is to be understood I. With restriction to the bounds which follow here And II. With the condition above mentioned v. 22. Wilderness On the South Lebanon On the North. Euphrates On the East The uttermost sea On the West The Mid-land Sea was on the West of Canaan 27. A blessing Ch. 28.2 28. Curse Chap. 28.15 29. The blessing upon Gerizim c. Of this see chap. 27.12 13. Josh 8.33 32. To do Chap. 5.32 CHAP. XII The ARGUMENT Monuments of Idolatry are to be destroyed The place which God should choose for his Publick Service is to be resorted to and there the Sacrifices are to be offered Blood may not be eaten Holy things must be eaten in the place which God shall choose The Levite is to be kindly treated They are permitted to kill and eat Flesh in their several Habitations They are cautioned against Idolatry 1. THese are the statutes and judgments which ye shall observe to do in the land which the LORD God of thy fathers giveth thee to possess it all the days that ye live upon the earth 2. Ye shall utterly destroy all the places wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods upon the high mountains and upon the hills and under every green tree 3. And you shall overthrow their altars and break their pillars and burn their groves with fire and you shall hew down the graven images of their gods and destroy the â—â—mes of them out of that place 4. Ye shall not do so unto the LORD your God 5. But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his â—â—mo there even unto his habitation shall ye seek and thither thou shalt come 6. And thither ye shall bring your burnt-offerings and your sacrifices and your tithes and heave-offerings of your hand and your vows and your free-will-offerings and the firstlings of your herds and of your flocks 7. And there ye shall eat before the LORD your God and ye shall rejoice in all that you put your hand unto ye and your housholds wherein the LORD thy God hath blessed thee 8. Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes 9. For ye are not as yet come to the rest and to the inheritance which the LORD your God giveth you 10. But when ye go over Jordan and dwell in the land which the LORD your God giveth you to inherit and when he giveth you rest from all your enemies round about so that ye dwell in safety 11. Then there shall be a place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there thither shall ye bring all that I command you your burnt-offerings and your sacrifices your tithes and the heave-offering of your hand and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the LORD 12. And ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God ye and your sons and your daughters and your men-servants and your maid-servants and the Levite that is within your gates forasmuch as he hath no part or inheritance with you 13. Take heed to thy self that thou offer not thy burnt-offerings in every place that thou seest 14. But in the place which the LORD shall choose in one of thy tribes there thou shalt offer thy burnt-offerings and there thou shalt do all that I command thee 15. Notwithstanding thou mayest kill and eat flesh in all thy gates whatsoever thy soul lusteth after according to the blessing of the LORD thy God
not practise those Precepts which were annexed to the Land and required a settled condition See v. 9 10. 11. Your choice vows Heb. The choice of your vows Whatever was offered as a Vow was to be select and perfect whereas what was less perfect might serve in a Free-will-offering that being brought upon meer good-will without any preceeding Vow or Obligation Levit 22.20 21 22 23. 12. He hath no part Chap. 10.9 See the Note on ch 10.9 15. Lusteth after Or Desireth The unclean This being but common and ordinary Food which is here spoken of he that was legally unclean was permitted to eat of it which by the Law he might not have done had it been a part of a Peace offering Levit 7.20 As of the roe-buck and as of the hart q. d. As freely as he may eat of any other Flesh which is not forbidden as unclean such was that of the Roe-buck and Hart which were not forbidden by the Law See chap. 14.5 16. Onely Chap. 5.23 17. The tithe of thy corn For the right understanding of these words see the Note on the 6th Verse of this Chapter Firstlings of thy herds c. For the First born strictly so called they belonged to the Priests Numb 18.15 And therefore it hath been supposed with great probability that these Firstlings here spoken of are to be meant of such as after the setting a side the First-born were then by the Owner set a part and dedicated to God For as the Tithe here spoken of is to be understood of the second Tithe so may the Firstling be understood in a like sense 19. Take heed Chap. 14.27 Ecclus 7.51 As long Heb. All thy days 20. When the LORD thy God shall enlarge thy border c. For the fuller understanding the design of the words of this and the two following Verses it is to be remembred That while the Israelites were in the Wilderness they might not eat any Meat at their private Tables but such whereof they had first sacrificed to God at the Tabernacle See Levit. 17.4 and the Note upon that place This Precept was very practicable in the Wilderness where they encamped round about the Tabernacle The case was greatly altered when they came into the Land to which these Precepts were annexed v. 1 8 9 10 14. and so is the Law likewise concerning this matter For then many of them would live at a great distance from the Tabernacle and could not without great difficulty bring the Beasts which they killed for their private Tables to the Sanctuary And for that reason they were dispensed with and are not obliged to bring the Beast which they killed to the Door of the Tabernacle of the Congregation as in the Wilderness Levit. 17.9 But then lest they should surmise that they are likewise dispensed with as to the other part of that Law Levit. 17.10 11 c. forbidding the eating Blood they are strongly warned not to eat it v. 23 24 25. which is the true reason of those words in that place Hence it appears that the design of these words is not onely to let them know that they may lawfully kill and eat Flesh in all their Gates for that they were told before verse 15. But to acquaint them with the reason upon which they were dispensed with as to the bringing the Beast they killed to the Tabernacle which is particularly expressed verse 21. which words may be thus translated from the Hebrew Because the place which the Lord thy God hath chosen to put his name there is too far from thee thou mayest kill of thy herd c. As he hath promised thee Gen. 28.14 chap. 19.8 This promise was conditional See ch 11.22 23 24. 22. Even as the roe-buck See the Note on v. 15. 23. Be sure Heb. Be strong That is be greatly carefull of this matter See Levit 17.10 11 12. 26. Thy holy things Such things as are separated and set a-part for holy uses viz. Sacrifices and Tithes c. See v. 17. 27. And thou shalt eat the flesh viz. Of thy Sacrifices last above-named for this cannot extend to the Burnt-offerings or any other part of the Oblation which was due to the Altar or the Priest 29. Succeedest them Heb. Inheritest or possessest them 30. Take heed to thy self that thou be not snared by following them Heb. after them That is take heed of their sin and fear their punishment 31. Thou shalt not do so c. That is thou shalt not worship thy God as they did Abomination to Heb. Abomination of the. 32. Not add Ch. 4.2 Josh 1.7 Prov. 30.6 Rev. 22.18 CHAP. XIII The ARGUMENT Enticers to Idolatry how near soever are to be stoned to death Idolatrous Cities are not to be spared 1. IF there arise among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams and giveth thee a sign or a wonder 2. And the sign or the wonder come to pass whereof he spake unto thee saying Let us go after other gods which thou hast not known and let us serve them 3. Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams for the LORD your God proveth you to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul 4. Ye shall walk after the LORD your God and fear him and keep his commandments and obey his voice and ye shall serve him and cleave unto him 5. And that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death because he hath spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God which brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you out of the house of bondage to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in so shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee 6. If thy brother the son of thy mother or thy son or thy daughter or the wife of thy bosom or thy friend which is as thine own soul entice thee secretly saying Let us go and serve other gods which thou hast not known thou nor thy fathers 7. Namely of the gods of the people which are round about you nigh unto thee or far off from thee from the one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth 8. Thou shalt not consent unto him nor hearken unto him neither shall thine eye pity him neither shalt thou spare neither shalt thou conceal him 9. But thou shalt surely kill him thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death and afterwards the hand of all the people 10. And thou shalt stone him with stones that he die because he hath sought to thrust thee away from the LORD thy God which brought thee out of the land of Egypt from the house of bondage 11. And all Israel shall hear and fear and shall do no more any such wickedness as this is among you 12. If thou shalt hear say in one of thy cities which the
to play the whore in her father's house so shalt thou put evil away from among you 22. If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband then they shall both of them die both the man that lay with the woman and the woman so shalt thou put away evil from Israel 23. If a damsel that is a virgin be betrothed unto an husband and a man find her in the city and lie with her 24. Then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of that city and ye shall stone them with stones that they die the damsel because she cried not being in the city and the man because he hath humbled his neighbour's wife so thou shalt put away evil from among you 25. But if a man find a betrothed damsel in the field and the man force her and lie with her then the man onely that lay with her shall die 26. But unto the damsel thou shalt do nothing there is in the damsel no sin worthy of death for as when a man riseth against his neighbour and slayeth him even so is this matter 27. For he found her in the field and the betrothed damsel cried and there was none to save her 28. If a man find a damsel that is a virgin which is not betrothed and lay hold on her and lie with her and they be found 29. Then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel's father fifty shekels of silver and she shall be his wife because he hath humbled her he may not put her away all his days 30. A man shall not take his father's wife nor discover his father's skirt 1. THY brother's ox c. This Precept extends to Enemies Exod. 23.4 and takes in all who lived in their Country though they were not of their Nation nor altogether of their Religion Otherwise the Law would have been unpracticable because no Man could tell whose Ox or Ass it was which went astray 3. Hide thy self i. e. Forbear to do thus 4. Help him See Exod. 23.5 with the Note on that place 5. The woman shall not wear c. Tho' the Jews referr this Precept to Wars Joseph Antiqu. l. 4. c. 8. Yet it is not restrained by the Text thereunto It requires a distinction of Sex by the habit the neglect whereof might occasion great Impurities and filthy Practices See the Book of Wisdom ch 14.26 That do so i. e. That are effeminate and immodest of which this practice is an Argument and for preventing whereof this Law is given 6. Thou shalt not take the dam with the young c. This is forbid as that which hath an Appearance of Covetousness and Cruelty and a tendency to destroy a whole kind of the Creatures which God hath made And to encourage Mercy and Compassion it is added v. 7. That it may be well with thee c. 8. A battlement i. e. A Fence round about the House-top which was flat to preserve Persons from falling See Judg. 16.26 1 Sam. 9.25 with Matth. 10.27 That thou bring not blood c. i. e. That by thy neglect thou be not an occasion of the death of any Person 9. Thou shalt not sow thy vineyard with divers seeds That Law which forbad the sowing the Field with mingled Seed Levit. 19.19 is here extended to the Vineyard likewise See the Note on Levit. 19.19 Lest the Fruit c. That is lest by this mixture both the Encrease of thy Seed sown and of thy Vineyard mingled there-with be defiled or legally polluted it being a Mixture which God hath forbidden 10. With an ox and an ass This seems to referr to that Law which forbad them to let their Cattel gender with a divers kind Levit. 19.19 See Maimon More Nevochim p. III. c. 49. That the order of Nature might not be disturbed See Phil. Jud. de spec legib See the Note on Levit. 19.19 But then the Ox being a clean and the Ass an unclean Beast and besides that they being of unequal strength for plowing this Precept does not onely speak the Mercy of the Law-giver but also fairly puts us in mind to shun the needless Conversation of evil and profane Persons 2 Cor. 6.14 11. Thou shalt not wear See Levit. 19.19 with the Note 12. Fringes Of the End of this Law see Numb 15.39 15. Take and bring forth the tokens of the damsels virginity c. What this proof was is expressed v. 17. at the close of that Verse We have no cause to cavil at the Law considering the great proneness of the Jews to put away their Wives upon every pretence Nor is there reason why we should suppose it an uncertain proof if we consider that the Jewish Women married young and the great difference between their clime and ours and that God who made the Law was able to take care that the innocent should not suffer 19. Vnto the father Because he suffered in the reproach which was cast upon his Family And because he designed to put her away without allowing her maintenance he shall pay an hundred Shekels which is a double Dowry See the Note on Exod. 22.19 according to that Law Exod 22.9 See Maimon More Nevoch p. III. c. 49. 21. Die For here is more than simple Fornication she having by her professing her self a Virgin imposed upon the Man and perhaps transgressed after she was betrothed See v. 23 24. 27. Cried She is justly supposed to have done so whereas she that was in the City would have been rescued if she had cried See v. 24. 29. Fifty shekels See Exod. 22.16 17. 30. Nor discover his father's skirt The skirt or covering of his Father's Wife may be said to be his Father's as he and his Wife are one Flesh CHAP. XXIII The ARGUMENT Of those who may not enter into the Congregation of Israel and of those who may Of the great care to keep the Camp from pollution Of treating those Servants which come to them from their own Masters Against Whoredom and other Vncleanness Against Vsury Of the performing Vows and the Liberty allowed them in their Neighbour's Vine-yard and Corn-fields 1. HE that is wounded in the stones or hath his privy member cut off shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD 2. A bastard shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD even to his tenth generation shall he not enter into the congregation of the LORD 3. An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD even to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the LORD for ever 4. Because they met you not with bread and with water in the way when ye came forth out of Egypt and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia to curse thee 5. Nevertheless the LORD thy God would not hearken unto Balaam but the LORD thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee because the LORD thy God loved
before that Day does not always precisely denote a determinate and precise time but time more at large and so it is here and in the two following Verses It is sufficient that it denote that time when Moses acquainted them with God's Laws and they entered into a Solemn Covenant to observe and keep them and God took them for his peculiar People See v. 17 18. 19. In praise and in name See Jer. 13.11 CHAP. XXVII The ARGUMENT The Israelites are commanded to write the Law upon Stones when they came into the Land and to build an Altar The names of the Tribes that were to stand on Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal The several Curses to be pronounced by the Levites 1. AND Moses with the elders of Israel commanded the people saying Keep all the commandments which I command you this day 2. And it shall be on the day when you shall pass over Jordan unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee that thou shalt set thee up great stones and plaister them with plaister 3. And thou shalt write upon them all the words of this law when thou art passed over that thou mayest go in unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee a land that floweth with milk and honey as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee 4. Therefore it shall be when ye be gone over Jordan that ye shall set up these stones which I command you this day in mount Ebal and thou shalt plaister them with plaister 5. And there shalt thou build an altar unto the LORD thy God an altar of stones thou shalt not lift up any iron tool upon them 6. Thou shalt build the altar of the LORD thy God of whole stones and thou shalt offer burnt-offerings thereon unto the LORD thy God 7. And thou shalt offer peace-offerings and shalt eat there and rejoice before the LORD thy God 8. And thou shalt write upon the stones all the words of this law very plainly 9. And Moses and the priests the Levites spake unto all Israel saying Take heed and hearken O Israel this day thou art become the people of the LORD thy God 10. Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the LORD thy God and do his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day 11. And Moses charged the people the same day saying 12. These shall stand upon mount Gerizim to bless the people when ye are come over Jordan Simeon and Levi and Judah and Issachar and Joseph and Benjamin 13. And these shall stand upon mount Ebal to curse Reuben Gad and Asher and Zebulun Dan and Naphtali 14. And the Levites shall speak and say unto all the men of Israel with a loud voice 15. Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image an abomination unto the LORD the work of the hands of the craftsman and putteth it in a secret place and all the people shall answer and say Amen 16. Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother and all the people shall say Amen 17. Cursed be he that removeth his neighbour's land-mark and all the people shall say Amen 18. Cursed be he that maketh the blind to wander out of the way and all the people shall say Amen 19. Cursed be he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger fatherless and widow and all the people shall say Amen 20. Cursed be he that lieth with his father's wife because he uncovereth his father's skirt and all the people shall say Amen 21. Cursed be he that lieth with any manner of beast and all the people shall say Amen 22. Cursed be he that lieth with his sister the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother and all the people shall say Amen 23. Cursed be he that lieth with his mother-in-law and all the people shall say Amen 24. Cursed be he that smiteth his neighbour secretly and all the people shall say Amen 25. Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person and all the people shall say Amen 26. Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them and all the people shall say Amen 1. KEep Moses having repeated and explained the Law which was given at Horeb engages the People to obey it and that he does by the very same methods which he made use of when the Law was first given them E.g. I. Then he built an Altar according to the command and direction given him Exod. 24.4 with Exod. 20.24 25. He takes the same care here v. 5. II. Then he wrote the words of the Law Exod. 24.4 and here he takes care it should be done v. 3 4. III. Then he took the People's profession of Obedience Exod. 24.3 He mentions the same Profession here ch 26.17 IV. Then he took care to confirm the Covenant between God and the People by Sacrifices Exod. 24.5 And now he requires the very same kinds of Sacrifices also v. 6 7. V. Then after all his other care he set before them Blessings and Curses Lev. 26. And so he does here v. 12 13. and chap. 28. 2. On the day Not on that very precise day see the Note on chap. 26.16 but thou shalt then stand obliged to do this and the Writing upon these Stones was required when they were passed over v. 3. but not on the very day of their passage 3. All the words of this law That is the substance of the Law or the Heads of it in which the Ten Commandments have a principal place See Exod. 24.3 When thou art passed over that thou mayest go in That is when thou hast passed over Jordan in order to the entring into the Land For those words That thou mayest go in are not to be understood as promising a Reward for writing the words of the Law which were not to be written till they were in the Land but as implying the end of their passing through Jordan 5. An altar See Exod. 20.25 and chap. 24.4 7. Shalt eat there This was permitted to the Offerer to do out of his Peace-offerings Levit. 7.15 And 't was a token that he was in Covenant with God when he did partake of the Altar 1 Cor. 10.18 20 21. 8. Very plainly viz. So as may be easily read 9. Thou art become That is thou hast declared so much Thou hast avouched the LORD this day to be thy God as it is expressed ch 26.17 See Exod. 24.3 12. These shall stand c. We find that those who were to bless are the Sons of the Free-women and the most considerable of them Indeed Reuben and Zebulun the Sons of Leah are among them that were to curse But in an equal division there must be two of the Sons of the Free and Reuben having defiled his Father's Bed and Zebulun the youngest of Leah's Sons are put into that Division 13. To curse It is not said to curse the People as 't is said v. 12. to bless the people not being
and thy daughters shall be given into another people and thine eyes shall look and fail with longing for them all the day long and there shall be no might in thine hand 33. The fruit of thy land and all thy labours shall a nation which thou knowest not eat up and thou shalt be onely oppressed and crushed alway 34. So that thou shalt be mad for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see 35. The LORD shall smite thee in the knees and in the legs with a sore botch that cannot be healed from the sole of thy foot unto the top of thy head 36. The LORD shall bring thee and thy king which thou shalt set over thee unto a nation which neither thou nor thy fathers have known and there shalt thou serve other gods wood and stone 37. And thou shalt become an astonishment a proverb and a by-word among all nations whither the LORD shall lead thee 38. Thou shalt carry much seed out into the field and shalt gather but little in for the locust shall consume it 39. Thou shalt plant vine-yards and dress them but shalt neither drink of the wine nor gathar the grapes for the worms shall eat them 40. Thou shalt have olive-trees throughout all thy coasts but thou shalt not anoint thy self with the oyl for thine olive shall cast his fruit 41. Thou shalt beget sons and daughters but thou shalt not enjoy them for they shall go into captivity 42. All thy trees and fruit of thy land shall the locust consume 43. The stranger that is within thee shall get up above thee very high and thou shalt come down very low 44. He shall lend to thee and thou shalt not lend to him he shall be the head and thou shalt be the tail 45. Moreover all these curses shall come upon thee and shall pursue thee and overtake thee till thou be destroyed because thou hearknedst not unto the voice of the LORD thy God to keep his commandments and his statutes which he commanded thee 46. And they shall be upon thee for a sign and for a wonder and upon thy seed for ever 47. Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness and with gladness of heart for the abundance of all things 48. Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee in hunger and in thirst and in nakedness and in want of all things and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck until he have destroyed thee 49. The LORD shall bring a nation against thee from far from the end of the earth as swift as the eagle flieth a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand 50. A nation of fierce countenance which shall not regard the person of the old nor shew favour to the young 51. And he shall eat the fruit of thy cattel and the fruit of thy land until thou be destroyed which also shall not leave thee either corn wine or oyl or the increase of thy kine or flocks of thy sheep until he have destroyed thee 52. And he shall besiege thee in all thy gates until thy high and fenced walls come down wherein thou trustedst throughout all thy land and he shall besiege thee in all thy gates throughout all thy land which the LORD thy God hath given thee 53. And thou shalt eat the fruit of thine own body the flesh of thy sons and of thy daughters which the LORD thy God hath given thee in the siege and in the straitness wherewith thine enemies shall distress thee 54. So that the man that is tender among you and very delicate his eye shall be evil towards his brother and toward the wife of his bosom and towards the remnant of his children which he shall leave 55. So that he will not give to any of them of the flesh of his children whom he shall eat because he hath nothing left him in the siege and in the straitness wherewith thine enemy shall distress thee in all thy gates 56. The tender and delicate woman among you which would not adventure to set the sole of her foot upon the ground for delicateness and tenderness her eye shall be evil towards the husband of her bosom and towards her son and towards her daughter 57. And towards her young one that cometh out from between her feet and towards her children which she shall bear for she shall eat them for want of all things secretly in the siege and straitness wherewith thine enemy shall distress thee in thy gates 58. If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearfull name THE LORD THY GOD 59. Then the LORD will make thy plagues wonderfull and the plagues of thy seed even great plagues and of long continuance and sore sicknesses and of long continuance 60. Moreover he will bring upon thee all the diseases of Egypt which thou wast afraid of and they shall cleave unto thee 61. Also ever sickness and every plague which is not written in the book of this law them will the LORD bring upon thee until thou be destroyed 62. And ye shall be left few in number whereas ye were at the stars of heaven for multitude because thou wouldest not obey the voice of the LORD thy God 63. And it shall come to pass that as the LORD rejoiced over you to do you good and to multiply you so the LORD will rejoice over you to destroy you and to bring you to nought and ye shall be plucked from off the land whither thou goest to possess it 64. And the LORD shall scatter thee among all people from the one end of the earth even unto the other and there thou shalt serve other gods which neither thou nor thy fathers have known even wood and stone 65. And among these nations shalt thou find no ease neither shall the sole of thy foot have rest but the LORD shall give thee there a trembling heart and failing of eyes and sorrow of mind 66. And thy life shall hang in doubt before thee and thou shalt fear day and night and shalt have none assurance of thy life 67. In the morning thou shalt say Would God 〈◊〉 were even and at even thou shalt say Would God it were morning for the fear of thine heart wherewith thou shalt fear and for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see 68. And the LORD shall bring thee into Egypt again with ships by the way whereof I spake unto thee Thou shalt see it no more again and there ye shall be sold unto your enemies for bond-men and bond-women and no man shall buy you 1. SET thee on high c. i. e. He will make thee more prosperous than other Nations as appears from what follows to v. 15. 2. Overtake thee Without thy pursuit of them they shall be thy portion by the good providence of God Matt. 6.33 3. Blessed shalt c.
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
the copulative Particle as there is in some other places Vid. Hab. 3.11 Jud. 5.27 Exod. 15.9 and then Moses is said here to deliver the Law unto the priests and to the sons of Levi which bare the ark c. Numb ch 3. and ch 4. and unto all the elders of Israel So that the Law was delivered to the three Ranks and Degrees of Men of which the whole Congregation consisted viz. the Priests the Levites and the Representatives of the People And this Interpretation of these words will receive some confirmation from the Greek Interpreters in another place not unlike to this viz. Josh 3.3 When ye see the ark c. and the Priests the Levites bearing it There the Greek suppose an Ellipsis and do therefore render it and the Levites supplying the copulative Particle supposed to be wanting here 10. At the end c. See the Note on chap. 15.1 In the solemnity Or rather in the time as the Hebrew word signifies and as it is rendred by the Chaldee Syriack and Greek This appointed time was very convenient for this solemn hearing of the Law For it was at a time of the year when their Harvest was gathered in chap. 16.13 and they were freed from those cares and in a year when they were freed both from the Labours and from the Exactions which in other years they were liable unto chap. 15.1 2. 11. Thou shalt read This care concerned the body of the People and was discharged by the King as the Jews affirm or some other great Man when there was no King See Nehemiah 8. But then that all Israel might hear it was necessary that there should be care taken that it should be done by so many that all might hear it 13. Their children i. e. Their Posterity as appears from what follows May hear and learn to fear the LORD your God as long as ye live in the land 15. In a pillar of a cloud See Exod. 33.9 10. 17. I will hide my face from them i. e. I will remove from them the tokens of my favour and punish them as appears from the following words 19. This song i. e. The Song which follows in the next Chapter which is composed in the form of a Song that they might the more easily learn and remember it Put it in their mouths i. e. Take care that they learn it That it may be a witness for me against or among the children of Israel That is that it may be a perpetual Monitor among them of my Mercy towards and of the justice of my proceedings with them see v. 21. 22. Taught it As he was commanded v. 19. 23. He gave That is God gave as it is evident from the following words 26. Put it in the side of the ark Here it was put for the greater security and as the authentick Copy and Original was laid up in a safe place 30. And Moses spake in the ears of all c. Not that he did this all at once but either at several times or else he did it at once to the Heads and Representatives of the whole Congregation CHAP. XXXII The ARGUMENT The Song of Moses which sets forth the Divine Perfections and the Mercies of God to the Israelites And also lays before them their Rebellions and particularly their Idolatry It gives an account also of the wrath of God upon that account Moses is commanded to go up into Mount Nebo to take a view thence of the Land of Canaan and to die there 1. GIve ear O ye heavens and I will speak and hear O earth the words of my mouth 2. My doctrine shall drop as the rain my speech shall distil as the dew as the small rain upon the tender herb and as the showers upon the grass 3. Because I will publish the name of the LORD ascribe ye greatness unto our God 4. He is the rock his work is perfect for all his ways are judgment a God of truth and without iniquity just and right is he 5. They have corrupted themselves their spot is not the spot of his children they are a perverse and crooked generation 6. Do ye thus requite the LORD O foolish people and unwise is not he thy father that hath bought thee hath he not made thee and established thee 7. Remember the days of old consider the years of many generations ask thy father and he will shew thee thy elders and they will tell thee 8. When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance when he separated the sons of Adam he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel 9. For the LORD's portion is his people Jacob is the lot of his inheritance 10. He found him in a desart land and in the waste howling wilderness he led him about he instructed him he kept him as the apple of his eye 11. As an eagle stirreth up her nest fluttereth over her young spreadeth abroad her wings taketh them beareth them on her wings 12. So the LORD alone did lead him and there was no strange god with him 13. He made him ride on the high places of the earth that he might eat the increase of the fields and he made him to suck honey out of the rock and oyl out of the flinty rock 14. Butter of kine and milk of sheep with fat of lambs and rams of the breed of Bashan and goats with the fat of kidneys of wheat and thou didst drink the pure blood of the grape 15. But Jeshurun waxed fat and kicked thou art waxen fat thou art grown thick thou art covered with fatness then he forsook God which made him and lightly esteemed the rock of his salvation 16. They provoked him to jealousie with strange gods with abominations provoked they him to anger 17. They sacrificed unto devils not to God to gods whom they knew not to new gods that came newly up whom your fathers feared not 18. Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindfull and hast forgotten God that formed thee 19. And when the LORD saw it he abhorred them because of the provoking of his sons and of his daughters 20. And he said I will hide my face from them I will see what their end shall be for they are a very froward generation children in whom is no faith 21. They have moved me to jealousie with that which is not God they have provoked me to anger with their vanities and I will move thew to jealousie with those which are not a people I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation 22. For a fire if kindled in my anger and shall burn undo the lowest hell and shall consume the earth with her encrease and set on fire the foundations of the mountains 23. I will heap mischiefs upon them I will spend mine arrows upon them 24. They shall be burnt with hunger and devoured with burning heat and with bitter destruction I will also send the teeth of beasts upon
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
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
the self-same day as God had said unto him 24. And Abraham was ninety years old and nine when he was circumcised in the flesh of his fore-skin 25. And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his fore-skin 26. In the self-same day was Abraham circumcised and Ishmael his son 27. And all the men of his house born in the house and bought with money of the stranger were circumcised with him 1. APpeared viz. In some visible manner Compare v. 22. Almighty Or All-sufficient Walk See ch 5.22 Perfect i. e. Upright or sincere as it is in the Margent 2. Make i. e. Establish and confirm v. 7. and give a token of it v. 11. 3. Face Out of reverence to the divine Majesty as well as the sense he had of God's great favour to him v. 17. Levit. 9.24 Ezek. 1.28.3.23 4. Many Nations Not onely those who shall proceed from his Loins but Christian Believers also Rom. 4.16 17. Gal. 3.7 5. Abram It signifies an high Father Abraham One letter of the Hebrew word signifying Multitude is added to his Name intimating that he should be a Father of many Nations ch 12. v. 2. 6. Kings Many Kings sprang from Abraham of the Jews Ishmaelites Idumeans Midianites and our great King the Messias 7. An everlasting Covenant viz. To his spiritual Seed And it would have been so to his natural Seed had they continued obedient 8. Everlasting possession See the Note on ch 13. v. 15. Their God I will have a particular care of them as a Father hath of his Children 2 Cor. 6.16 18. 9. And God c. Here begins the other part of the Covenant on Man's part 10. My Covenant Or the sign and token of it as it is v. 11. It is very usual in Scripture phrase to call the Sign by the name of the thing which it signifies Exod. 12.11 Acts 7.8 Man-child Or Male The Males gave denomination to the Families 11. Fore-skin The word is observed to signifie Superfluity And the institution of Circumcision does fairly put us in mind of putting away all superfluity of naughtiness A token Or sign by which not onely the memory of this Covenant shall be preserved but by which Abraham's seed to whom the promised Blessing belongs shall be distinguished from others and separated and marked out as God's peculiar 12. Eight days old He that was eight days old ought to be circumcised tho that day fell on the Sabbath Till that time a beast might not be offered as the first-born Exod. 22.30 And the child newly born till the time was reputed unclean Levit. 12.3 14. Cut off This cutting off seems to imply at least an untimely death Exod. 31.14 and a punishment generally inflicted by God's hand rather than that of the Magistrate Levit. 17.10 and 20.5 And that in this place relates to the offender not to the infant Exod. 4.24 Ezek. 18.20 What we translate is not circumcised Passively may from the Hebrew be translated in the Active Voice thus Doeth not Or shall not circumcise Thus the Chaldee understands the word in this place And then the person who neglects Circumcision when he is come to a just Age will be an offender and liable to the punishment threatned to that neglect 15. Sarah The word signifies a Lady or Princess There is a change of one letter into another and that other the same which was added to her Husband's name v. 5. and it seems to be added for the same reason it being forthwith promised that she should be a Mother of Nations v. 16. 17. Laughed i. e. Rejoiced So the Chaldee And the Hebrew word will bear it ch 21.6 Abraham is not censured for it as Sarah is ch 18. Nor is it an argument of his unbelief Rom. 4.18 19 20 21. He was rather filled with admiration and joy at God's gracious promise Compare John 8.56 And he does in the following words express himself full of admiration For besides that he fell upon his face He said Shall a child c. 18. Might live Abraham puts God in mind of his promise ch 16.10 19. Isaac So called not from Sarah's laughter ch 18. v. 12. but from Abraham's joy His Name was a Memorial of his Father's faith not of his Mother's unbelief 21. Covenant i. e. Spiritual as well as Temporal Rom. 9.7 8. Gal. 3.29 Luk. 1.55 72. 22. God went up The glory of the Lord says the Chaldee Or that visible and glorious appearance v. 1. Went up out of Abraham's sight Ezek. 3.23 and 8.4 23. In the self-same day i. e. Forthwith on that very day when God commanded him So ready was he to obey God 27. The men of his house Thus was his family devoted to God Compare ch 18. v. 19. CHAP. XVIII The ARGUMENT Abraham's great hospitality in entertaining Angels unawares Sarah is promised a Son She is reproved for laughing which through excess of fear she denyed The destruction of Sodom is made known to Abraham who thereupon intercedes for it 1. AND the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day 2. And he lift up his eyes and looked and lo three men stood by him and when he saw them he ran to meet them from the tent door and bowed himself toward the ground 3. And said My Lord if now I have found favour in thy sight pass not away I pray thee from thy servant 4. Let a little water I pray you be fetched and wash your feet and rest your selves under the tree 5. And I will fetch a morsel of bread and comfort ye your hearts after that you shall pass on for therefore are ye come to your servant And they said So do as thou hast said 6. And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah and said Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal knead it and make cakes upon the hearth 7. And Abraham ran unto the herd and fetcht a calf tender and good and gave it unto a young man and he hasted to dress it 8. And he took butter and milk and the calf which he had dressed and set it before them and he stood by them under the tree and they did eat 9. And they said unto him Where is Sarah thy wife And he said Behold in the tent 10. And he said I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life and lo Sarah thy wife shall have a son And Sarah heard it in the tent door which was behind him 11. Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women 12. Therefore Sarah laughed within her self saying After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure my Lord being old also 13. And the LORD said unto Abraham Wherefore did Sarah laugh Saying Shall I of a surety bear a child which am old 14. Is any thing too hard for the LORD At the time appointed
will I return unto thee according to the time of life and Sarah shall have a son 15. Then Sarah denied saying I laughed not for she was afraid And he said Nay but thou didst laugh 16. And the men rose up from thence and looked toward Sodom and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way 17. And the LORD said Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do 18. Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him 19. For I know him that he will command his children and his houshold after him and they shall keep the way of the LORD to do justice and judgment that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him 20. And the LORD said Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great and because their sin is very grievous 21. I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it which is come unto me and if not I will know 22. And the men turned their faces from thence and went toward Sodom but Abraham stood yet before the LORD 23. And Abraham drew near and said Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked 24. Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein 25. That be far from thee to do after this manner to slay the righteous with the wicked and that the righteous should be as the wicked that be far from thee shall not the Judge of all the earth do right 26. And the LORD said If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city then I will spare all the place for their sakes 27. And Abraham answered and said Behold now I have taken upon me to speak unto the LORD which am but dust and ashes 28. Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five And he said If I find there fourty and five I will not destroy it 29. And he spake unto him yet again and said Peradventure there shall be fourty found there And he said I will not do it for fourties sake 30. And he said unto him Oh let not the Lord be angry and I will speak Peradventure there shall thirty be found there And he said I will not do it if I find thirty there 31. And he said Behold now I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord Peradventure there shall be twenty found there And he said I will not destroy it for twenty's sake 32. And he said Oh let not the Lord be angry and I will speak yet but this once Peradventure ten shall be found there And he said I will not destroy it for ten 's sake 33. And the LORD went his way assâ—on as he had left communing with Abraham and Abraham returned unto his place 1. IN the heat of the day Or about noon Say the Greek Interpreters The time of eating 2. Three The Jews say they were sent on three several messages viz. To fore-tell the Birth of Isaac v. 10 13. To destroy Sodom and to deliver Lot ch 19.1 Men They appeared so to Abraham Compare Heb. 13.2 One of them is called Jehovah v. 13. And the other two Angels ch 19. v. 1. 3. My Lord He speaks to one of these persons and after such a manner v. 27. as implies that he believed him to be sent by God 4. Wash your feet This was in those hot Countries a refreshment to the wearied Travellers and a part of their entertainment before they did eat ch 19. v. 2. and ch 24. v. 32. Tree From the heat of the Sun v. 1. 5. Comfort your hearts i. e. Refresh sustain yourselves Judg. 19.5 Psal 104.15 Compare Heb. 13.9 with Deut. 12.17 18. For therefore are ye come Or Because and seeing that ye are come This rendring agrees well with the Hebrew and is confirmed in the Note on ch 33.10 6. Hastened This speaks Abraham's forwardness to entertain strangers 7. Good c. This speaks his Bounty 8. Which he had dressed i. e. Which the young man had dressed v. 7. By them i. e. Waiting on them which speaks his Humility Compare Jer. 52.12 10. He said viz. One of the persons v. 1. According to the time of life i. e. The next or following year according to the usual time which passeth from the first conception to the timely birth of a living child Compare Rom. 9.9 and Gen. 21.2 with Gen. 17.24 and ch 21.5 See also 2 Kings 4.16 11. Women viz. That bear Children 12. Waxed old She being now Eighty nine years old 13. Laugh Her laughing is reproved as being in her a token of her unbelief 15. I laughed not And thus she adds one sin to another which 't is likely she thâ— more securely did because her laughter was not open the Text saying That she laughed within her self v. 12. For she was afraid Amazed or astonished with fear as the Vulgar renders it which might well be when she perceived her self discovered by this divine Person even then when she did but laugh within her self This sinfull fear or amazement of hers betrayed her into this denial And for that reason when the Apostle propounds Sarah as a pattern of obedience to Women he does at the same time caution them very seasonably against the sinfull fear by which she fell Whose daughters ye are says he as long as ye do well and are not afraid with any amazement 1 Pet. 3.6 18. Seeing c. For as much as God had before shewed him great favours and had made a Covenant with him and promised that he should be the Father of many Nations Compare Amos 3.7 Gen. 20.7 19. That he will command Of which Abraham had given some proof ch 17. v. 23 27. Parents and Masters of Families from the example of this Father of the Faithfull may learn their duty to instruct their Children and Servants in the way of the Lord. That Abraham may be furnished with a powerfull argument against a wicked course of life which he might make use of to his family he is acquainted with God's intentions against Sodom 20. Very grievous Of this we have a particular account Ezek. 16.49 50. and Gen. 19. 21. Go down God speaks after the manner of Men. See ch 11. v. 5. And see whether God does not destroy Men suddenly and teaches us to be wary where the lives of Men are concerned I will know Or try whether they be such Sinners as ought to be cut off God speaks after the manner of Men. See ch 22. v. 12. 22. Men Two of the three which appeared v. 1. See ch 19. v. 1. The third who is called Jehovah stayed with Abraham who stood yet before the Lord or prayed to him as the Chaldee hath it 23. Wilt thou c. Abraham did pray and intercede
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
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