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
by establishing his Covenant v. 4. and declares that he remembers his Covenant v. 5. And then follow these words Wherefore say unto the children of Israel I am JEHOVAH and I will bring you out c. V. 6. with v. 7 8. For the farther clearing of this matter it is to be remembred That God is said to make himself known to those whom he takes into Covenant Thus in Judah is God known Psal 76.1 Again In the day when I chose Israel and lifted up mine hand unto the seed of the house of Jacob and made my self known unto them in the land of Egypt when I lifted up my hand unto them saying I am the Lord your God In the day that I lifted up my hand unto them to bring them forth of the land of Egypt into a land that I had espied for them c. Ezek. 20.5 6. When God entred into Covenant with Abraham it was by the name of God Almighty Gen. 17.1 upon which he promiseth to his Seed the Land of Canaan v. 8. By this name Isaac blesseth Jacob and bestows on him the Blessing of Abraham ch 28.3 4. By this name Jacob blesseth Joseph ch 48.3.49.25 God lets them here know that he who had made a Promise to their Fathers by the name of God Almighty would now confirm His Covenant to them and make his Promise good by the name of JEHOVAH Say unto the children of Israel I am JEHOVAH i. e. I will make good to you what I promised by the name of God Almighty And ye shall know that I am JEHOVAH your God And I will bring you into the land concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham to Isaac and to Jacob and I will give it you for an heritage I am JEHOVAH Exod. 6.6 7 8. 4. My covenant with them God promised Abraham the Land of Canaan Gen. 15. and renewed this promise afterward 6. Wherefore say c. i. e. Assure them I will make good my promise See v. 7 8. 8. I did swear H. Lift up my hand See Gen. 14.22 9. For anguish of spirit Heb. Shortness or Straitness They were dejected in their Spirits through their bondage and not prone to believe the tidings of their Deliverance See the LXXII 12. Vncircumcised lips That is not eloquent He complained before of an impediment which not being taken away he calls his Lips Uncircumcised 14. The sons of Reuben V. Gen. 46.9 1 Chron. 5.3 This following account is to make way to the stock of Moses and Aaron who descended from Levi the third Son of Jacob and hence it is that the following account of Reuben and Simeon is premised lest they should be thought to be contemned 15. And the sons 1 Chron. 4.24 16. Of the sons of Levi Num. 3.17 1 Chron. 6.1 18. Sons of Kohath Numb 26.57 1 Chron. 6.2 20. Amram V. ch 2.2 Numb 26.59 His father's sister See the Notes on ch 2.1 25. She bare him V. Numb 25.11 27. These are that Moses and Aaron See the Notes on v. 14. 29. I am the LORD The JEHOVAH v. 3. who am ready to accomplish what I have formerly promised 30. Vncircumcised See v. 12. CHAP. VII The ARGUMENT Moses is farther directed and encouraged in his Message to Pharaoh His Rod is turned into a Serpent The Magicians of Egypt do the like Pharaoh's Heart is hardened The Waters are turned into Blood The Magicians do so Pharaoh's Heart is hardened 1. AND the LORD said unto Moses See I have made thee a god to Pharaoh and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet 2. Thou shalt speak all that I command thee and Aaron thy brother shall speak unto Pharaoh that he send the children of Israel out of his land 3. And I will harden Pharaoh's heart and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt 4. But Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you that I may lay my hand upon Egypt and bring forth mine armies and my people the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by great judgments 5. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD when I stretch forth mine hand upon Egypt and bring out the children of Israel from among them 6. And Moses and Aaron did as the LORD commanded them so did they 7. And Moses was fourscore years old and Aaron fourscore and three years old when they spake unto Pharaoh 8. And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron saying 9. When Pharaoh shall speak unto you saying Shew a miracle for you then thou shalt say unto Aaron Take thy rod and cast it before Pharaoh and it shall become a serpent 10. And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh and they did so as the LORD had commanded and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh and before his servants and it became a serpent 11. Then Pharaoh also called the wisemen and the sorcerers now the magicians of Egypt they also did in like manner with their inchantments 12. For they cast down every man his rod and they became serpents but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods 13. And he hardened Pharaoh's heart that he hearkened not unto them as the LORD had said 14. And the LORD said unto Moses Pharaoh's heart is hardened he refuseth to let the people go 15. Get thee unto Pharaoh in the morning lo he goeth out unto the water and thou shalt stand by the river's brink against he come and the rod which was turned to a serpent shalt thou take in thine hand 16. And thou shalt say unto him The LORD God of the Hebrews hath sent me unto thee saying Let my people go that they may serve me in the wilderness and behold hitherto thou wouldest not hear 17. Thus saith the LORD In this thou shalt know that I am the LORD behold I will smite with the rod that is in mine hand upon the waters which are in the river and they shall be turned to blood 18. And the fish that is in the river shall die and the river shall stink and the Egyptians shall lothe to drink of the water of the river 19. And the LORD spake unto Moses Say unto Aaron Take thy rod and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt upon their streams upon their rivers and upon their ponds and upon all their pools of water that they may become blood and that there may be blood throughout all the land of Egypt both in vessels of wood and in vessels of stone 20. And Moses and Aaron did so as the LORD commanded and he lift up the rod and smote the waters that were in the river in the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood 21. And the fish that was in the river died and the river stunk and the Egyptians could not drink of the water of the river and there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt 22. And the magicians of Egypt did so
atonement with him and to let him go for a scape-goat into the wilderness 11. And Aaron shall bring the bullock of the sin-offering which is for himself and shall make an atonement for himself and for his house and shall kill the bullock of the sin-offering which is for himself 12. And he shall take a censer-full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the LORD and his hands-full of sweet incense beaten small and bring it within the veil 13. And he shall put the incense upon the fire before the LORD that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy-seat that is upon the testimony that he die not 14. And he shall take of the blood of the bullock and sprinkle it with his finger upon the mercy-seat east-ward and before the merseat shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times 15. Then shall he kill the goat of the sin-offering that is for the people and bring his blood within the veil and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock and sprinkle it upon the mercy-seat and before the mercy-seat 16. And he shall make an atonement for the holy place because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel and because of their transgressions in all their sins and so shall he do for the tabernacle of the congregation that remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness 17. And there shall be no man in the tabernacle of the congregation when he goeth in to make an atonement in the holy place untill he come out and have made an atonement for himself and for his houshold and for all the congregation of Israel 18. And he shall go out unto the altar that is before the LORD and make an atonement for it and shall take of the blood of the bullock and of the blood of the goat and put it upon the horns of the altar round about 19. And he shall sprinkle of the blood upon it with his finger seven times and cleanse it and hallow it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel 20. And when he hath made an end of reconciling the holy place and the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar he shall bring the live goat 21. And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel and all their transgressions in all their sins putting them upon the head of the goat and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness 22. And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness 23. And Aaron shall come into the tabernacle of the congregation and shall put off the linen garments which he put on when he went into the holy place and shall leave them there 24. And he shall wash his flesh with water in the holy place and put on his garments and come forth and offer his burnt-offering and the burnt-offering of the people and make an atonement for himself and for the people 25. And the fat of the sin-offering shall he burn upon the altar 26. And he that let go the goat for the scape-goat shall wash his clothes and bathe his flesh in water and afterward come into the camp 27. And the bullock for the sin-offering and the goat for the sin-offering whose blood was brought in to make atonement in the holy place shall one carry forth without the camp and they shall burn in the fire their skins and their flesh and their dung 28. And he that burneth them shall wash his clothes and bathe his flesh in water and afterward he shall come into the camp 29. And this shall be a statute for ever unto you that in the seventh month on the tenth day of the month ye shall afflict your souls and do no work at all whether it be one of your own country or a stranger that sojourneth among you 30. For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you to cleanse you that ye may be clean from all your sins before the LORD 31. It shall be a sabbath of rest unto you and ye shall afflict your souls by a statute for ever 32. And the priest whom he shall anoint and whom he shall consecrate to minister in the priest's office in his father's stead shall make the atonement and shall put on the linen clothes even the holy garments 33. And he shall make an atonement for the holy sanctuary and he shall make an atonement for the tabernacle of the congregation and for the altar and he shall make an atonement for the priests and for all the people of the congregation 34. And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you to make an atonement for the children of Israel for all their sins once a year And he did as the LORD commanded Moses 1. DEath Chap. 10.2 2. Come not Exod 30.10 Heb. 9.7 This is to be understood with reference to the Priestly Service or Ministration See Heb. 9.6 7. Upon other necessary occasions the High-priest might enter into the most Holy place viz. When the Tabernacle was taken down or set up according to the Removals of the Israelites c. Into the holy place i. e. The Holy of Holies as appears by what follows This was a Figure of Heaven Heb. 9.12 24. And the High-priest's going into it of our Saviour Christ's entring into Heaven Heb. 9.11 12. In the cloud i. e. In the Cloud or Smoak of the Incense mentioned v. 13. and which was to be offered but once in the year 3. With a young Bullock Of his own and for his own and his families Sin v. 6. 4. The holy linen Coat c. The Service peculiar to this day was to be performed by the High-priest in his linen Vestments not in his more costly Attire of Gold This meaner Garb being judged more agreeable with that Sorrow and Repentance which the Service of the day required Vpon his flesh Flesh is to be understood in the sense in which it is taken ch 15.2 6. Make an atonement Heb. 9.7 His house i. e. The rest of the Priests v. 33. who are called the House of Aaron Psal 135.19 8. One lot for the LORD i. e. One Lot was so marked that it did express that it belonged to the Lord and the Goat on which it fell was to be Sacrificed The Sufferings of Christ are hereby prefigured which how casual soever they might seem to us to be did not happen without the particular Providence and Counsel of God Prov. 16.33 Act. 4.28 Scape-goat Heb. Azazeel i. e. The Goat which was to be sent away alive into a place not inhabited 9. Fell Heb. Went up There is no inconsistence between the Marginal reading and the Text The High-priest took the two Lots out of a Box and lift up his Hands on high and then put each
Consecrating the Levites and the age and time of their Service Of the Passover and an allowance of a Second Passover and guidance of the Cloud Of the use of the Silver Trumpets Of the removal of the Israelites Of the words which Moses used when the Ark set forward and when it rested Of these things we have an account ch 8 9 10. After this we have a Relation of the burning at Taberah Of the People's loathing of Manna and lusting for Flesh Of the Seventy Elders and of the Quails ch 11. and of the Sedition of Miriam and Aaron ch 12. We have next a Relation of the Spies sent into the Promised Land Of their Instructions Of their Doings and Report of the Land Of the People's murmuring hereupon Of God's just Displeasure and the Effects of it Of the Intercession of Moses and great Folly of the Israelites ch 13 and 14. The fifteenth Chapter lays before us sundry Laws viz. That concerning the Meat-offering as that Offering was an attendant upon a Bloody Sacrifice And the Drink-offering Of the Heave-offering Of the first of the Dough Of Sins of Ignorance and Presumption Of the Profaner of the Sabbath and of the Fringes We have next an Account of the Rebellion of Korah and Dathan and Abiram Of their invading the Priest's Office and their exemplary Punishment The Memory of their Rebellion is perpetuated and the Right of the Priests vindicated by the budding of Aaron's Rod and their honorary Maintenance hereupon particularly related ch 16 17 18. The next Chapter gives account of the Water made of the Ashes of the red Heifer which is followed with a Relation of the death of Miriam the murmuring of the People the smiting the Rock c. and the death of Aaron ch 19.20 And then we have an account of the Israelites Victory over the Canaanites of their murmuring of the fiery Serpents and of that of Brass Of several Journeyings of the Israelites and their Conquest over Sihon and Og ch 21. After this we have a Relation of Balak's sending to Balaam to curse the Israelites Of Balaam's Journey and Balak's Disappointment Several Predictions of Balaam are related and there follows an account of the Israelites committing Whoredom and Idolatry at Shittim and of their Punishment ch 22 23 24 25. Next to this we have an account of the number of the Israelites in order to the dividing the Land among them ch 26. And the Law of Inheritances upon occasion of the suit of the Daughters of Zelophehad ch 27. In the two next Chapters we have a more particular account than was given before of the Stated Holocausts and the Meat and Drink-offerings pertaining thereunto This is followed with a Law concerning Vows ch 30. We have after this an account of the Israelites Conquest over the Midianites and a Law concerning the dividing the Spoil ch 31. Next follows the Request of the Reubenites and Gadites and the success of it and an account of the Journeyings of the Israelites in the Wilderness Of the Borders of the Promised Land and the names of the Men which should divide it Of the Levites Cities and the Cities of Refuge with the Law concerning Murther Of the Inheritance of Daughters and the Marriage of Heiresses in their own Tribe which is followed with an account how the Daughters of Zelophehad were married ch 32 33 34 35 36. By what hath been said any Man will see that this Book is very fitly called NUMBERS For here we have the number of the twelve Tribes taken no less than three times ch 1. ch 2. and ch 26. And the Levites are numbred as often ch 3 4 26. We have also several other things numbred The things that were offered and the Princes who offered those things at the Dedication of the Altar ch 7. The Spoils taken in the War with Midian ch 31. And all the stated Holocausts that were yearly offered up ch 28 29. Not to mention the Number and Names of the Cities of Levites and of Refuge and the particulars of the Israelites Marches or Journeyings in the Wilderness These are the principal Matters contained in this Book which if duly considered will be of great use to us for the better governing our selves as well as for the more clear understanding of the other parts of the Holy Scriptures It is not to be expected I should in this place make Reflections upon all the Particulars which are laid before us in this Book It may suffice that I lay before the Reader some few Particulars and shew how very much they tend to the use of Life and serve to engage us to strict Obedience to the Will of God And for the other I referr the Reader to the following Notes I might here shew the admirable use that is to be made of the Relation of the numbring the People and order of their Camp For here is much of God's special Providence to be observed from those Relations which we pass over in reading the Scriptures with too great Negligence And there are many parts of the Holy Writ which we pass over with little regard that are very instructive to us But I will not insist upon this matter in this place I shall especially consider the following Particulars I. The setting aside the Levites to the service of God their Charge and Service This spake God's great care of his People to appoint an Order of Men to attend upon his Service and to wait on his Sanctuary And it does also instruct those that Minister in Holy Things not onely to consider how they were called to that Holy Office but to consider also how they discharge it The Particulars relating to this Order of Men are very instructive to the People also They were not numbred among the rest having no Inheritance as the other Tribes had They were to attend upon their Office in the service of God and his People It was therefore the People's part to be kind to them and there are in the Law of Moses many Precepts to this purpose They were not onely obliged to pay them their Tithes in which even in some of the worst times they were scrupulously carefull but to assist them upon other occasions that they might attend upon God's Service This teacheth the People to communicate of their Temporal Things very freely to those that watch over their Souls and to honour them greatly for the sake of their Work and their Master II. That Law concerning the removing the Unclean from the Camp chap. 5. This is very instructive to the Governors and Ministers of the Church It is not fit that Profane and Scandalous Sinners should be admitted to partake of the holiest things 'T is very much the duty of those concerned and the Interest of the whole Church that those should be debarred from her Communion who are notoriously scandalous I know very well that that Law made a difference in the Unclean and that there was a difference as to the Camps also and 't will
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
Israelites did lie under in Egypt and the great Hardships which they met with there of which we have an account in the remaining part of that Chapter and afterwards Chap. 5. III. The Persons by whose Ministry this Deliverance was wrought and under this Head is to be reckoned the account we have of Moses of his Birth and of his wonderfull Preservation and of his Divine Mission Ch. 2 and 3. and Power given to him to do wonderfull Works As also that of Aaron his Brother ch 4. and 6. IV. The Assurance which Moses received of his Success in this Undertaking ch 6. V. The Wonders which were wrought and the Plagues inflicted upon Pharaoh King of Egypt and upon his People to induce them to believe the Divine Mission of Moses and Aaron and to let the Israelites go out of Egypt And we have a particular account of these wonderfull Works to the end of the Eleventh Chapter These wonderfull Works deserve a special Consideration They were wrought to procure a belief of the over-ruling Power of the God of Israel and that Moses and Aaron were sent by him The Works themselves were above the Power of a Creature And though the Sorcerers and Magicians of Egypt were able in some measure to imitate some of the first Works of Moses ch 7. yet were they forced quickly to give out and to own the unimitable Power of God And when they inflicted Evils they were destitute of Power to remove those Inflictions ch 8. v. 7 8. The Magicians of Egypt could not produce so much as Lice out of the Dust of the Earth ch 8.18 't was above their Power and for the swarm of Flies which were sent upon the Egyptians the place where the Israelites dwelt was by the wonderfull Providence of God exempted from them ch 8.22 Thus it was also in the Murrain it did light on the Cattel of the Egyptians but not upon that which belonged to the Israelites ch 9. The Plague of Boyls succeeded which was so grievous upon the Egyptians that the Magicians themselves could not stand before Moses v. 11. The Hail with Thunder and Fire came next but this grievous Plague fell upon the Egyptians onely the Israelites felt it not v. 26. A grievous Plague from the Locusts followed and that was followed by a thick Darkness which affected the Egyptians only the Israelites enjoying Light as before And lastly the Death of the First-born which sell onely on those of the Egyptians and from which the Israelites were excused ch 11. After this wonderfull manner did God think fit to effect and bring to pass the Departure of the Israelites out of Egypt This was a most signal Blessing to that People and never to be forgotten And as God thought fit by Moses to transmit to Posterity the History of the Facts relating to this Matter so he appointed a Festival and a very Solemn one to be annually kept by the Israelites in remembrance of it and appointed the Month in which this Departure happened to be for the future observed as the first of at least the Ecclesiastical year The Israelites are often put in mind by Moses and the succeeding Prophets of this Deliverance and it is made use of as an Inducement to their Obedience to the Law given them afterwards Exod. 20.2 And that they might not forget this Deliverance they were afterwards obliged to keep up the remembrance of it once every Week on their Sabbath-day Deut. 5.15 And besides all this to perpetuate the memory of this Deliverance the first-born of Man and Beast are to be separated or set apart Exod. 13. Of this Departure of the Israelites out of Egypt and of the Solemn Festival appointed for a Memorial of it viz. The Passover and Feast of Unleavened-bread and the rites thereunto belonging we have an account ch 12. and 13. When the Israelites Went from Egypt God took care of them and directed their Journies by a certain Pillar which in the Day appeared as a Cloud and as Fire in the Night ch 13.21 22. And whereas the Egyptians were so hardy as to pursue them God miraculously saves the Israelites by giving them a passage through the Red-Sea and drowns the Egyptians which followed them ch 14. In memory whereof we have a Solemn Hymn or Song of Moses ch 15. I will now represent the Facts that were consequent upon this Deliverance The bitter Waters of Marah were made sweet by Moses ch 15.25 And when the People wanted Bread they were miraculously supplied with Quails and Manna ch 16. And when they wanted Water they are supplied with it from a Rock in Horeb. When they were assaulted by Amalek they prevailed whiles Moses held up his hands in memory of which Victory an Altar is built ch 17. Next follows an account of the coming of Jethro of his Reception by Moses and the Counsel he gave him ch 18. And now were the Israelites come to the Wilderness in Sinai in the third Month after they were come from Egypt And here God gives them the Law and that he does in a manner that was very solemn and awfull Moses goes up into a Mountain where God instructs him what he should say to the Israelites the better to prepare them for receiving the Law and returns their answer unto God He is sent down to them again to sanctify them and warn them And God sent him a third time with a charge to them to keep their distance The Mountain was in a smoke and God descended on it in Fire and it quaked and the People were terrified chap. 19. This was a fit time and place for them to receive their Law They had a little before received many proofs of the Power of God and of his care of them which might dispose them to Obedience to God's Law They were in a Wilderness a place of recess and leisure They were freed from the Slavery of Egypt and from the Idolatrous Examples of the Egyptians On the other hand they were short of Canaan and so not diverted by Wars with that People nor acquainted with their filthy Practices and idolatrous Rites nor rendred dull and stupid by the Plenty and Prosperities of that Land And therefore was this a most fit season for this Solemnity 'T was God's great care that his People should neither imitate the People of Egypt whence they came nor of Canaan whither they were going This he told them elsewhere by Moses After the doings of the Land of Egypt wherein ye dwelt and after the doings of the Land of Canaan whither I bring you shall ye not do neither shall ye walk in their Ordinances Levit. 18.3 To have given this Law in Egypt might have been too soon and to have done it when they were possessed of Canaan might have been too late Here they are placed between both intirely delivered from Egypt and unacquainted with Canaan and consequently the better disposed to receive God's Law And whereas they had been miraculously brought out of Egypt
with their inchantments and Pharaoh's heart was hardened neither did he hearken unto them as the LORD had said 23. And Pharaoh turned and went into his house neither did he set his heart to this also 24. And all the Egyptians digged round about the river for water to drink for they could not drink of the water of the river 25. And seven days were fulfilled after that the LORD had smitten the river 1. A God i. e. A Prince or Master See the Chaldee and the Notes on ch 4.16 Thy Prophet Thy Interpreter says the Chaldee Thy Mouth to speak for thee See ch 4.16 that being one great Office of a Prophet Deut. 18.18 See ch 6.30 4. My hand My powerfull Plague or Stroke as the Chaldee hath it The Hand being the Instrument whereby we effect what we desire does fitly express the Power of him that doth effect Mine armies V. ch 6.26 and ch 12.41 5. Shall know that I am the LORD See ch 6.7 and the Note on ch 6.3 7. Fourscore years old This agrees well with Act. 7.30 and speaks God's Power and Providence V. Deut. 34.7 2 Cor. 12.9 9. A serpent V. ch 4.3 The Greek render it a Dragon 11. The magicians Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses says the Apostle 2 Tim. 3.8 and the Chaldee Paraphrase called Jonathan's calls them Janis and Jambres These Magicians are mentioned not onely among the Jewish Writers but among the Heathen also particularly by Apuleius With their inchantments i. e. With their secret sleights or jugglings The Hebrew word is thought to import an hidden and secret and therefore a commonly unaccountable Art 12. They became serpents Not without the Divine Permission But then their Rods which became Serpents were swallowed up by the Rod of Aaron And though the Magicians turned Water into Blood and brought Frogs upon Egypt we do not find that they were able to turn that Blood into Water and send away the Frogs which they had brought upon the Land as Moses did ch 8.13 They were permitted to punish but had not power to relieve the Egyptians 13. And he hardened Pharaoh's heart Or And Pharaoh's heart waxed strong or hard i. e. Pharaoh's Heart was hardened as the Vulgar and Chaldee render it And we find the same words in the Hebr. so rendered v. 22. not onely by the Greek and Latin but by the English Version also Nor is there any person mentioned either in the one place or in the other See ch 8.32 and the Note upon it That he hearkened not Or And he hearkened not Hebr. 14. Is hardened Or is heavy and dull and not easily moved 15. Goeth out Moses is directed to take this opportunity of meeting with Pharaoh it not being perhaps easie for him to have access to his Court. 16. In the wilderness See the Note on ch 5.1 17. I will smite with the rod that is in mine hand God commands Moses directs and Aaron smites v. 19 20. And God may be therefore said to do that which by his Command was done and by his Power To blood This was a great plague to the Egyptians who wanted Rain Deut. 11.10 11. and were by this means deprived of their Food from the Fish v. 18. and Numb 11.5 and of their Drink also v. 18. 20. Turned to blood And that so it was appears from what follows v. 21. that the Fish died and the River did stink so that the Egyptians could not drink as formerly 22. And the Magicians of Egypt did so And that they might do the Waters being changed successively and not all at once besides that they digged for Waters as appears from vers 24. Vid. Wisd 17.7 23. Neither did he set his heart i. e. He regarded not This speaks his wilfull neglect See v. 16. CHAP. VIII The ARGUMENT The Plague of Frogs The Magicians do also the like Pharaoh sues to Moses and Aaron for the removal of the Frogs and promiseth thereupon to dismiss the Israelites The Frogs are removed Pharaoh hardens his Heart The Plague of Lice The Magicians not able to do the like The Plague of Flies Pharaoh inclines to let the Israelites go but upon the removal of them hardens his Heart 1. AND the LORD spake unto Moses Go unto Pharaoh and say unto him Thus saith the LORD Let my people go that they may serve me 2. And if thou refuse to let them go behold I will smite all thy borders with frogs 3. And the river shall bring forth frogs abundantly which shall go up and come into thine house and into thy bed-chamber and upon thy bed and into the house of thy servants and upon thy people and into thine evens and into thy kneading-troughs 4. And the frogs shall come up both on thee and upon thy people and upon all thy servants 5. And the LORD spake unto Moses Say unto Aaron Stretch forth thine hand with thy rod over the streams over the rivers and over the ponds and cause frogs to come up upon the land of Egypt 6. And Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt and the frogs came up and covered the land of Egypt 7. And the magicians did so with their inchantments and brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt 8. Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron and said Intreat the LORD that he may take away the frogs from me and from my people and I will let the people go that they may do sacrifice unto the LORD 9. And Moses said unto Pharaoh Glory over me when shall I intreat for thee and for thy servants and for thy people to destroy the frogs from thee and thy houses that they may remain in the river onely 10. And he said To morrow And he said Be it according to thy word that thou mayest know that there is none like unto the LORD our God 11. And the frogs shall depart from thee and from thy houses and from thy servants and from thy people they shall remain in the river onely 12. And Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh and Moses cried unto the LORD because of the frogs which he had brought against Pharaoh 13. And the LORD did according to the word of Moses and the frogs died out of the houses out of the villages and out of the fields 14. And they gathered them together upon heaps and the land stank 15. But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite he hardened his heart and hearkened not unto them as the LORD had said 16. And the LORD said unto Moses Say unto Aaron stretch out thy rod and smite the dust of the land that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt 17. And they did so for Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod and smote the dust of the earth and it became lice in man and in beast all the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt 18. And the magicians did so with their inchantments to bring forth lice but they could not so
there were lice upon man and upon beast 19. Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh This is the finger of God And Pharaoh's heart was hardened and he hearkened not unto them as the LORD had said 20. And the LORD said unto Moses rise up early in the morning and stand before Pharaoh lo he cometh forth to the water and say unto him Thus saith the LORD Let my people go that they may serve me 21. Else if thou wilt not let my people go behold I will send swarms of flies upon thee and upon thy servants and upon thy people and into thy houses and the houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies and also the ground whereon they are 22. And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen in which my people dwell that no swarms of flies shall be there to the end thou mayest know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth 23. And I will put a division between my people and thy people to morrow shall this sign be 24. And the LORD did so and there came a grievous swarm of flies into the house of Pharaoh and into his servants houses and into all the land of Egypt the land was corrupted by reason of the swarm of flies 25. And Pharaoh called for Moses and for Aaron and said Go ye sacrifice to your God in the land 26. And Moses said It is not meet so to do for we shall sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians to the LORD our God Lo shall we sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians before their eyes and will they not stone us 27. We will go three days journey into the wilderness and sacrifice to the LORD our God as he shall command us 28. And Pharaoh said I will let you go that ye may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness onely you shall not go very far away intreat for me 29. And Moses said Behold I go out from thee and I will intreat the LORD that the swarms of flies may depart from Pharaoh from his servants and from his people to morrow but let not Pharaoh deal deceitfully any more in not letting the people go to sacrifice to the LORD 30. And Moses went out from Pharaoh and intreated the LORD 31. And the LORD did according to the word of Moses and he removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh from his servants and from his people there remained not one 32. And Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also neither would he let the people go 2. All thy borders i. e. The whole Land of Egypt 3. Kneading-troughs Or Dough. 7. And the magicians Wisd 17.7 See the Notes on ch 7.12 8. Intreat the LORD Pharaoh is forced to this his Magicians not being able to remove the Frogs which they were permitted to bring upon the Egyptians 9. Glory over me Or Have this honour over me i. e. Have thou the honour of appointing me the time when I shall intreat the Lord for thee See v. 10. and Judg. 7.2 When Or Against when To destroy Heb. To cut off 10. To morrow Or Against to morrow 12. Because of the frogs which he had brought against Pharaoh Or Concerning the appointed time which was agreed on before for the removing the Frogs In this Sense the Greek understood the words 15. Respite i. e. That the Plague was removed 17. Lice One of the Ancients inquires Why God punished the Egyptians with such vile and inconsiderable Animals rather than with Bears Leopards Lions and such ravenous Creatures or the Serpents of Egypt which would quickly have destroyed theâ— And his answer is That God designed to correct not to destroy the Egyptians For had he designed their destruction he needed not the help of any Animals he might have done it by Plague or Famine When Men says he wage War they furnish themselves with the most powerfull assistance but the powerfull God when he designs to inflict evils makes use of the smallest and most inconsiderable Instruments what smaller than Lice and yet the Egyptians were forced to own the Finger of God Phil. de vit Mos l. 1. 18. Did so i. e. They attempted to do the like 19. This is the finger of God Or This Plague is of God's inflicting See the Chaldee The Power of God is represented by his Hand or Finger in the Scripture Phrase Ps 8.3 See Luk. 11.20 The Magicians do here confess God's Work and are not able to do the same And Pharaoh's heart was hardened These are the same words in the Hebr. with those ch 7.13 and they do imply that Pharaoh hardened his own Heart He continued in his obstinacy after the Magicians were baffled and were forced to acknowledge the Finger of God See v. 32. 21. Swarms of flies Or A mixture of noisom Beasts 22. I will sever c. By making this wonderfull difference this Plague was rendered the more convictive and Pharaoh the more inexcusable 23. A division Heb. A redemption And so it was to the Israelites a Rescue and Redemption and a distinguishing Mercy See Psal 111.9 Isa 43.2 3. To morrow Or By to morrow 24. There came See Wisd 16.9 A grievous swarm Not onely a very troublesome but a very numerous swarm Corrupted Or destroyed 26. It is not meet It is not right God having called the Israelites out of Egypt V. ch 3.18 The abomination of the Egyptians Or The things which the Egyptians worship as the Vulgar and the Chaldee understand the words at least the Beasts which the Egyptians abstain from and will neither eat nor kill V. Gen. 43.32 and the Notes on that place 27. As he shall See ch 3.18 32. Hardened his heart at this time also As he had done before v. 19. so he did again after a new Plague that spoke not onely the Power but the peculiar Providence of God v. 22 23. and all this after his Magicians had acknowledged the Power of God CHAP. IX The ARGUMENT A grievous Murrain Pharaoh's Heart is hardened The plague of Boyls The plague of Hail and the grievous Effects of it Pharaoh sues to Moses and Aaron to be delivered from it and promiseth to let the Israelites go The Hail is removed and Pharaoh thereupon hardens his Heart and refuseth to let the People go 1. THen the LORD said unto Moses Go in unto Pharaoh and tell him Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews Let my people go that they may serve me 2. For if thou refuse to let them go and wilt hold them still 3. Behold the hand of the LORD is upon thy cattel which is in the field upon the horses upon the asses upon the camels upon the oxen and upon the sheep there shall be a very grievous murrain 4. And the LORD shall sever between the cattel of Israel and the cattel of Egypt and there shall nothing die of all that is the childrens of Israel 5. And the LORD appointed a set time saying To morrow the LORD shall
said unto Moses Stretch out thine hand over the sea that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians upon their chariots and upon their horse-men 27. And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared and the Egyptians fled against it and the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea 28. And the waters returned and covered the chariots and the horse-men and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them there remained not so much as one of them 29. But the children of Israel walked upon dry-land in the midst of the sea and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand and on their left 30. Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea-shore 31. And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians and the people feared the LORD and believed the LORD and his servant Moses 2. Pihahiroth Numb 33.7 This is the mouth or passage of Hiroth Vid. Numb 33.8 And it should seem from Josephus that Hiroth was a mountainous and steep place For he tells us that the Egyptians shut up the Hebrews that they could not escape between steep Mountains on the one hand and the Sea on the other Vid. Joseph Ant. l. 2. c. 6. Abravanel will have Pihahiroth to referr to a Village from whence the Red sea falls into a Chanâ—â—â— called Hiroth Be it as it will the Hebrews are in a strait Between Migdol and the Sea Migdol signifies a strong Fort. And this speaks the strait in which the Hebrews were having the Sea on one side and a strong Fort to receive their Enemies on the other Baal-zephon This seems to be the place of an Idol called Baal and Abravenel tells us it stood on the North-side of Migdol And then it might for that cause be called Zephon that word signifying the North. 3. Intangled They are perplexed 4. Honoured By the just destruction of the Egyptians Vid. Levit. 10.3 8. With an high hand Openly and boldly and in good order not like Fugitives ch 13.18 9. Egyptians Vid. Josh 24.6 1 Mac. 4.9 12. Is not this Ch. 6.9 13. And Moses said c. There is a Tradition among the Jews that the people in this great strait were divided into four several Sects and Opinions The first were for running into the Sea The second for returning into Egypt The third for fighting the Egyptians The fourth for lifting up their Voice and by their Shrieks and Out-cries confounding their Enemies And that Moses speaks to the People with respect to their divided Opinions To the first in these words Fear ye not stand still and see the Salvation of the Lord. To the second he said For the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day ye shall see them again no more for ever To the third The Lord shall fight for you To the fourth And ye shall hold your peace Vid. Targ. Jon. Hierosol in loc For the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day Or For whereas you have seen the Egyptians to day i. e. They should not see the Egyptians as they had seen them namely alive v. 30. See the Greek 15. Wherefore cryest thou unto me God reproves not his Prayer but directs him to the work he was to do He having heard his Prayer See the Chaldee 19. The Angel of the LORD See the Notes on ch 13.21 20. And it was c. It being but one and the same See ch 13.22 21. Divided Josh 4.23 Psal 114.3 22. The children Psal 78.13 1 Cor. 10.1 Heb. 11.29 25. That they drave them heavily Or And made them to go heavily 27. Overthrew Heb. Shook off God sent upon them Showers Thunder Lightning and Thunder-bolts says Josephus Vid. ch 15.10 Psal 77.17 18. 28. One Psal 106.11 31. Work Heb. Hand And his servant Moses They believed Moses as a Servant of God CHAP. XV. The ARGUMENT The Song of Moses Miriam and other Women express their joy with Timbrels and Dances The Israelites come to the Wilderness of Shur and want Water They murmur The Waters of Marah made sweet The Israelites come to Elim 1. THen sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD and spake saying I will sing unto the LORD for he hath triumphed gloriously the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea 2. The LORD is my strength and song and he is become my salvation he is my God and I will prepare him an habitation my father's God and I will exalt him 3. The LORD is a man of war the LORD is his name 4. Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea 5. The depths have covered them they sank into the bottom as a stone 6. Thy right hand O LORD is become glorious in power thy right hand O LORD hath dashed in pieces the enemy 7. And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee thou sentest forth thy wrath which consumed them as stubble 8. And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together the flouds stood upright as an heap and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea 9. The enemy said I will pursue I will overtake I will divide the spoil my lust shall be satisfied upon them I will draw my sword my hand shall destroy them 10. Thou didst blow with thy wind the sea covered them they sank as lead in the mighty waters 11. Who is like unto thee O LORD amongst the gods who is like thee glorious in holiness fearfull in praises doing wonders 12. Thou stretchedst out thy right hand the earth swallowed them 13. Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation 14. The people shall hear and be afraid sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina 15. Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed the mighty men of Moab trembling shall take hold upon them all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away 16. Fear and dread shall fall upon them by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone till thy people pass over O LORD till the people pass over which thou hast purchased 17. Thou shalt bring them in and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance in the place O LORD which thou hast made for thee to dwell in in the sanctuary O LORD which thy hands have established 18. The LORD shall reign for ever and ever 19. For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea and the LORD brought again the waters of the sea upon them but the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea 20. And Miriam the prophetess the sister of
Aaron took a timbrel in her hand and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances 21. And Miriam answered them Sing ye to the LORD for he hath triumphed gloriously the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea 22. So Moses brought Israel from the Red-sea and they went out into the wilderness of Shur and they went three days in the wilderness and found no water 23. And when they came to Marah they could not drink of the waters of Marah for they were bitter therefore the name of it was called Marah 24. And the people murmured against Moses saying What shall we drink 25. And he cried unto the LORD and the LORD shewed him a tree which when he had cast into the waters the waters were made sweet there he made for them a statute and an ordinance and there he proved them 26. And said If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God and wilt do that which is right in his sight and wilt give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes I will put none of these diseases upon thee which I have brought upon the Egyptians for I am the LORD that healeth thee 27. And they came to Elim where were twelve wells of water and threescore and ten palm-trees and they encamped there by the waters 1. MOses Wisd 10.20 Vnto the LORD i. e. To his praise Vid. Psal 106.12 Rev. 15.2 3. 2. My strength To whose assistance this deliverance is to be ascribed Song i. e. The argument of my Praise and Thanksgiving Vid. Isa 12.2 And I will prepare him aâ— habitation Or I will glorifie him as the Greek and Vulgar render it 3. A man of War i. e. A great Warriour It is an Hebraism The Hebrew word which we translate Man is observed in Conjunction with another word to signifie some Excellency or Perfection Thus a man of Words signifies an eloquent Man Exod. 4.10 6. Thy right hand The Scripture speaks say the Jews in the language of the Children of Men. The right hand of a Man is the instrument by which he effects what he finds in his power Hence it is attributed to God when his Power is celebrated 8. With the blast of thy nostrils Or Wind of thine anger This may referr to that Wind ch 14.21 which made way for the destruction of the Egyptians Congealed i. e. Hardened as congealed Matter is so that the Hebrews went on dry-land 9. Destroy Or repossess 10. Blow with thy Wind See v. 8. and ch 14.21 27. 11. Gods Or mighty ones Fearfull in praises To be feared and reverenced when thy Name is celebrated or praised 12. The Earth swallowed them As they sunk into the Deep See Jon. 2.6 And possibly some of them were buried in the Sands brought on them by the violence of the returning Waters 13. Vnto thy holy habitation i. e. To the Land of Canaan the place of the Hebrews rest and the place in which God would reveal himself to them and where he would dwell with them Jer. 50.19 Psal 78.54 55. 14. The People Deut. 2.25 Josh 2.9 16. Fear Deut. 2.25 Josh 2.9 Still i. e. Stupified and so far over-powered with their fears that they shall not be able to defend themselves Pass over Viz. Into the promised Land Purchased Or Possessest 17. Which thou hast made for thee to dwell in This verse contains a description of Canaan as it was the place where God would dwell and that in a Sanctuary which being certainly to be built when God should command is spoken of as already done 20. The prophetess One to whom God revealed himself Vid. Num. 12.2 Gen. 20.7 and Mic. 6.4 21. Answered them i. e. She answered the Men who probably did sing the Song first And when they had sung then Miriam did repeat it 23. To Marah So called by anticipation as appears from the following words Marah That is Bitterness 25. A tree Ecclus 38.5 There he made for them a Statute c. The Jews commonly understand these words with reference to some particular Laws given in this place viz. Concerning the Sabbath honouring of Parents c. But we have no sufficient reason to credit this When 't is said He appointed them as the Hebrew word imports a Statute c. those words seem to refer to that monition which follows v. 26. which is so comprehensive as if obeyed would dispose them to obey all God's Laws 26. Healeth Ps 103.3 27. Elius Num. 33.9 CHAP. XVI The ARGUMENT The Israelites come to Sin They murmur for want of Bread They are promised Bread from Heaven Quails are sent and Manna Rules to be observed concerning the Manna It was not to be found on the Sabbath day A Pot of Manna is reserved as a Memorial The Israelites are to eat of this Bread forty Years 1. AND they took their journey from Elim and all the congregation of the children of Israel came unto the wilderness of Sin which is between Elim and Sinai on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing out of the land of Egypt 2. And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness 3. And the children of Israel said unto them Would to God we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt when we sat by the flesh-pots and when we did eat bread to the full for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger 4. Then said the LORD unto Moses Behold I will rain bread from heaven for you and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day that I may prove them whether they will walk in my law or no. 5. And it shall come to pass that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which they bring in and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily 6. And Moses and Aaron said unto all the children of Israel At even then ye shall know that the LORD hath brought you out from the land of Egypt 7. And in the morning then ye shall see the glory of the LORD for that he heareth your murmurings against the LORD And what are we that ye murmur against us 8. And Moses said This shall be when the LORD shall give you in the evening flesh to eat and in the morning bread to the full for that the LORD heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him And what are we your murmurings are not against us but against the LORD 9. And Moses spake unto Aaron Say unto all the congregation of the children of Israel Come near before the LORD for he hath heard your murmurings 10. And it came to pass as Aaron spake unto the whole congregation of the children of Israel that they looked toward the wilderness and behold the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud 11. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 12. I have heard the murmurings
the Sabbath day which they confine to two thousand Cubits Numb 35.5 This space is a Sabbath days Journey Act. 1.12 31. Taste of it c. This was the taste of it unprepared when it was prepared it had another taste viz. the taste of fresh Oyl Num. 11.8 34. Laid it up When the Tabernacle was after this built 35. Forty yâ—â—s c. Josh 5.12 Neh. 9.15 36. An omer is the tenth part of an ephah The Ephah contained of our Measure very near a Bushel three Seaâ—s Vid. LXXII and Onkel and the Omer here is the tenth part The Homer which is mentioned Ezek. 45.11 is not the same measure with the Omer here and is otherwise written in the Hebrew CHAP. XVII The ARGUMENT The Israelites come to Rephidim They murmur for want of Water God sends them Water out of a Rock Amalek fights against the Israelites Joshua encounters them Moses goes up to the top of an Hill and holds up his Hands Whiles â—e did so the Israelites prevail against Amalek God threatens Amalek An Altar built JEHOVAH-nissi 1. AND all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin after their journeys according to the commandment of the LORD and pitched in Rephidim and there was no water for the people to drink 2. Wherefore the people did chide with Moses and said Give us water that we may drink And Moses said unto them Why chide you with me wherefore do ye tempt the LORD 3. And the people thirsted there for water and the people murmured against Moses and said Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt to kill us and our children and our cattel with thirst 4. And Moses cried unto the LORD saying What shall I do unto this people they be almost ready to stone me 5. And the LORD said unto Moses Go on before the people and take with thee of the elders of Israel and thy rod wherewith thou smotest the river take in thine hand and go 6. Behold I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Hâ—reb and thou shalt fruite the rochâ—â—â—ed there shall come water out of it that the people may drink And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel 7. And he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah because of the chiding of the children of Israel and because they tempted the LORD saying Is the LORD among us or not 8. Then came Amalek and fought with Israel in Rephidim 9. And Moses said unto Joshua Choose us out men and go out fight with Amalek to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand 10. So Joshua did as Moses had said to him and fought with Amalek and Moses Aaron and Hur went up to the top of the hill 11. And it came to pass when Moses held up his hand that Israel prevailed and when he let down his hand Amalek prevailed 12. But Moses hands were heavy and they took a stone and put it under him and he sat thereon and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands the one on the one side and the other on the other side and his hands were steady untill the going down of the sun 13. And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword 14. And the LORD said unto Moses Write this for a memorial in a book and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven 15. And Moses built an altar and called the name of it JEHOVAH-nissi 16. For he said because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation 1. AFter their journeys Which Journeys are elsewhere more particularly related Num. 33.12 13 14. 2. Wherefore V. Num. 20.4 Wherefore do ye tempt the LORD i. e. Wherefore do ye by your distrust and discontent question the Power and Care of the Lord Vid. Matt. 16.1 Psal 78.18 19. See v. 7. 4. Cried i. e. Prayed as he was wont to do in straits c. 14.15 c. 15.25 5. The elders As competent witnesses of the wonderfull Power of God Vid. c. 3.16 Thou smotest c. 7.20 6. Behold Num. 20.9 Ps 78.15 and 105.41 Wisd 11.4 1 Cor. 10.4 I will stand i. e. The Pillar of Cloud the sign of my Presence among you shall stand upon the Rock c. Water out of it Though the Rock were unlikely to afford it This speaks the Power of God and does also represent Christ and the Benefits which we receive by him 1 Cor. 10.4 Joh. 7.37 7. Massah That is tentation Meribah That is chiding or strife Is the LORD c. See the Notes on v. 2. 8. Then came Deut. 25.17 Wisd 11.3 Amalek i. e. The Amalekites who were descended from Amalek one of the Sons of Eliphaz the first-born of Esau Gen. 36.15 16. 9. Joshua Called Jesus Act. 7.45 10. Hur A Man of great note and authority and possibly the Head of the Tribe of Judah at this time V. c. 24.14 1 Chron. 2.19 Josephus adds That he was the Husband of Miriam 11. Held up his hand i. e. His Hands as appears from v. 12. and that with the Rod of God v. 9. the sign of God's Power The lifting up of Hands is an Expression of Prayer Psal 28.2 1 Tim. 2.8 And this passage does fitly express to us the efficacy of fervent Prayer to God 12. His hands were steady They were stretched out in prayer says the Chaldee He hold the Rod the ensign of God's Power in his Hand The word we render steady does in the Hebrew import faith and this may well express the Faith of Moses in the Power of God and commend to us the Prayer of Faith Jam. 1.6 Matt. 21.22 14. In a book This was done Deut. 25.17 18 19. Of Joshua Who was to succeed to Moses and to fight the Lord's Battels I will utterly put out the remembrance c. In due time I will destroy their Memory Vid. Deut. 25.17 1 Sam. 15.7 c. 30.17 2 Sam. 8.12 Esth 9.14 15. An altar Vnto the Lord say the Greek The name of it Or The name of Him that is of the Lord. JEHOVAH-nissi That is The Lord my Banner He who enabled me to fight and get the Victory Moses built an Altar and thereon served before the Lord who wrought wonders for him says the Chaldee 16. Because c. Or Because the hand of Amalek is against the throne of the Lord. The LORD hath sworn Heb. The hand upon the throne of the Lord. The reason of this variety is from this that the lifting up the Hand and especially towards Heaven the Throne of God was used in swearing and no wonder that the sign should be put for the thing signified See Gen. 14.22 Rev. 10.5 6. CHAP. XVIII The ARGUMENT Jethro comes to Moses and brings with him the Wife and two Sons of Moses He acquaints him with what God had done
Tears from our Eyes The Greek render it by the first-fruits of the Wine-press The first-born Ch. 13.2 12. and 34.19 30. Thou shalt give it The meaning is that thenceforward it shall be accepted and therefore the Chaldee renders Thou shalt separate It was to continue seven days with the Dam on the eighth day and afterward it was esteemed fit for the Priest as well as for the Altar Levit 22.27 31. Neither c. Levit. 22.8 Ezek. 44.31 CHAP. XXIII The ARGUMENT Of Slander wresting Judgment and respect of persons Of Charity Bribery and Oppression Of the Sabbath and Sabbatical Year Of Idolatry Of the several Festivals An Angel is promised Their Obedience is required and encouraged by several Promises 1. THOV shalt not raise a false report put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness 2. Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment 3. Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause 4. If thou meet thine enemies ox or his ass going astray thou shalt surely bring it back to him again 5. If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden and wouldest forbear to help him thou shalt surely help with him 6. Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause 7. Keep thee far from a false matter and the innocent and righteous slay thou not for I will not justifie the wicked 8. And thou shalt take no gift for a gift blindeth the wise and perverteth the words of the righteous 9. Also thou shalt not oppress a stranger for ye know the heart of a stranger seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt 10. And six years thou shalt sow thy land and shalt gather in the fruits thereof 11. But the seventh year thou shalt let it rest and lie still that the poor of thy people may eat and what they leave the beasts of the field shall eat In like manner thou shalt deal with thy vine-yard and with thy olive-yard 12. Six days thou shalt do thy work and on the seventh day thou shalt rest that thine ox and thine ass may rest and the son of thy hand-maid and the stranger may be refreshed 13. And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect and make no mention of the names of other gods neither let it be heard out of thy mouth 14. Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year 15. Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days as I commanded thee in the time appointed of the month Abib for in it thou camest out from Egypt and none shall appear before me empty 16. And the feast of harvest the first-fruits of thy labours which thou hast sown in the field and the feast of in gathering which is in the end of the year when thou hast gathered in thy labors out of the field 17. Three times in the year all thy males shall appear before the LORD God 18. Thou shalt not offer the blood of my sacrifice with leavened bread neither shall the fat of my sacrifice remain untill the morning 19. The first of the first-fruits of thy land thou shalt bring into the house of the LORD thy God Thou shalt not seeth a kid in his mother's milk 20. Behold I send an Angel before thee to keep thee in the way and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared 21. Beware of him and obey his voice provoke him not for he wâ—â— not pardon your transgressions for my name is in him 22. But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice and do all that I speak then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies and an adversary unto thine adversaries 23. For mine Angel shall go before thee and bring thee in unto the Amorites and the Hittites and the Perizzites and the Canaanites and the Hivites and the Jebusites and I will cut them off 24. Thou shalt not bow down to their gods nor serve them nor do after their works but thou shalt utterly overthrow them and quite break down their images 25. And ye shall serve the LORD your God and he shall bless thy bread and thy water and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee 26. There shall nothing cast their young nor be barren in thy land the number of thy days I will fulfill 27. I will send my fear before thee and will destroy all the people to whom thou shalt come and I will make all thine enemies turn their backs unto thee 28. And I will send hornets before thee which shall drive out the Hivite the Canaanite and the Hittite from before thee 29. I will not drive them out from before thee in one year lest the land become desolate and the beast of the field multiply against thee 30. By little and little I will drive them out from before thee untill thou be increased and inherit the land 31. And I will set thy bounds from the Red sea even unto the sea of the Philistines and from the desart unto the river for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand and thou shalt drive them out before thee 32. Thou shalt make no covenant with them nor with their gods 33. They shall not dwell in thy land lest they make thee sin against me for if thou serve their gods it will surely be a snare unto thee 1. RAise Or Receive Put not thine hand c. i. e. Consent not to See Prov. 11.21 These words and the following are directed to Judges See Phil. Judae 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2. Speak Heb. Answer 3. A poor man Vid. Levit. 19.15 4. Or his ass Or any other breast that belongs to him Deut. 22.1 2 3. 5. If thou see c. Deut. 22.4 And wouldest forbear to help him Or Wilt thou cease to help him Or And wouldest cease to leave thy business for him Thou shalt surely leave it to join with him 6. Of thy poor i. e. Of thy poor Neighbour Deut. 27.19 7. From a false matter Or from a false word or lye 8. Thou shalt c. Deut. 16.19 Ecclus 20.29 Wise Heb. Seeing 9. Not oppress This Precept seems to be given to Judges and Magistrates that ch 22.21 to private Men. Heart Heb. Soul 10. Six years Levit 25.3 11. Let it rest c. i. e. Thou shalt not sow the Land nor gather the fruits See v. 10. and Lev. 25.4 May eat What Fruits the Vines and Trees produce as well as what the the Earth should bring forth from some scattered and remaining Seeds Vine-yard Which thou shalt not prune Lev. 25.4 Olive-yard Or Olive-trees 12. Six days Ch. 20.8 Deut. 5.13 Luk. 13.14 13. Of the names i. e. With any honour or regard to them See Deut. 12.3 Josh 23.7 Ps 16.4 Hos 2.17 Nah. 1.14 It not being absolutely unlawfull to mention the
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
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
sapphire and a diamond 12. And the third row a ligure an agate and an amethyst 13. And the fourth row a beryl an onyx and a jasper they were inclosed in ouches of gold in their inclosings 14. And the stones were according to the names of the children of Israel twelve according to their names like the engravings of a signet every one with his name according to the twelve tribes 15. And they made upon the breast-plate chains at the ends of wreathen work of pure gold 16. And they made two ouches of gold and two gold rings and put the two rings in the two ends of the breast-plate 17. And they put the two wreathen chains of gold in the two rings on the ends of the breast-plate 18. And the two ends of the two wreathen chains they fastened in the two ouches and put them on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod before it 19. And they made two rings of gold and put them on the two ends of the breast-plate upon the border of it which was on the side of the ephod inward 20. And they made two other golden rings and put them on the two sides of the ephod underneath toward the forepart of it over against the other coupling thereof above the curious girdle of the ephod 21. And they did bind the breast-plate by his rings unto the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue that it might be above the curious girdle of the ephod and that the breast-plate might not be loosed from the ephod as the LORD commanded Moses 22. And he made the robe of the ephod of woven work all of blue 23. And there was a hole in the midst of the robe as the hole of an habergeon with a band round about the hole that it should not rent 24. And they made upon the hems of the robe pomegranates of blue and purple and scarlet and twined linen 25. And they made bells of pure gold and put the bells between the pomegranates upon the hem of the robe round about between the pomegranates 26. A bell and a pomegranate a bell and a pomegranate round about the hem of the robe to minister in as the LORD commanded Moses 27. And they made coats of fine linen of woven work for Aaron and for his sons 28. And a mitre of fine linen and goodly bonnets of fine linen and linen breeches of fine twined linen 29. And a girdle of fine twined linen and blue and purple and scarlet of needle-work as the LORD commanded Moses 30. And they made the plate of the holy crown of pure gold and wrote upon it a writing like to the engravings of a signet HOLINESS TO THE LORD 31. And they tied unto it a lace of blue to fasten it on high upon the mitre as the LORD commanded Moses 32. Thus was all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation finished and the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses so did they 33. And they brought the tabernacle unto Moses the tent and all his furniture his taches his boards his bars and his pillars and his sockets 34. And the covering of rams skins died red and the covering of badgers skins and the veil of the covering 35. The ark of the testimony and the staves thereof and the mercy-seat 36. The table and all the vessels thereof and the shew-bread 37. The pure candlestick with the lamps thereof even with the lamps to be set in order and all the vessels thereof and the oyl for light 38. And the golden Altar and the anointing oyl and the sweet incense and the hanging for the tabernacle-door 39. The brasen altar and his grate of brass his staves and all his vessels the laver and his foot 40. The hangings of the court his pillars and his sockets and the hanging for the court-gate his cords and his pins and all the vessels of the service of the tabernacle for the tent of the congregation 41. The clothes of service to do service in the holy place and the holy garments for Aaron the priest and his sons garments to minister in the priest's office 42. According to all that the LORD commanded Moses so the children of Israel made all the work 43. And Moses did look upon all the work and behold they had done it as the LORD had commanded even so had they done it And Moses blessed them 1. MADE the holy garments Ch. 31.10 and 35.19 2. Ephod Vid. Ch. 28.6 6. And they wrought Ch. 28.9 7. Memorial Ch. 28.12 8. Breast-plate Ch. 28.15 10. Sardius Or Ruby 25. Bells Ch. 28.33 28. Linen breeches Ch. 28.42 30. Holiness Ch. 28.36 CHAP. XL. The ARGUMENT Moses is commanded to set up the Tabernacle and to anoint it Aaron and his Sons are to be sanctified These things are done as is commanded 1. AND the LORD spake unto Moses saying 2. On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation 2514. 1490. 3. And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony and cover the ark with the veil 4. And thou shalt bring in the table and set in order the things that are to be set in order upon it and thou shalt bring in the candlestick and light the lamps thereof 5. And thou shalt set the altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the testimony and put the hanging of the door to the tabernacle 6. And thou shalt set the altar of the burnt-offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation 7. And thou shalt set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar and shalt put water therein 8. And thou shalt set up the court round about and hang up the hanging at the court-gate 9. And thou shalt take the anointing oyl and anoint the tabernacle and all that is therein and shalt hallow it and all the vessels thereof and it shall be holy 10. And thou shalt anoint the altar of the burnt-offering and all his vessels and sanctifie the altar and it shall be an altar most holy 11. And thou shalt anoint the laver and his foot and sanctifie it 12. And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation and wash them with water 13. And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments and anoint him and sanctifie him that he may minister unto me in the priest's office 14. And thou shalt bring his sons and clothe them with coats 15. And thou shalt anoint them as thou didst anoint their father that they may minister unto me in the priests office for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations 16. Thus did Moses according to all that the LORD commanded him so did he 17. And it came to pass in the first month in the second year on the first day of the month that the tabernacle was reared up 18. And
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
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
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
that causeth the curse shall enter into her and become bitter and her belly shall swell and her thigh shall rot and the woman shall be a curse among her people 28. And if the woman be not defiled but be clean then she shall be free and shall conceive seed 29. This is the law of jealousies when a wife goeth aside to another in stead of her husband and is defiled 30. Or when the spirit of jealousie cometh upon him and he be jealous over his wife and shall set the woman before the LORD and the priest shall execute upon her all this low 31. Then shall the man be guiltless from iniquity and this woman shall bear her iniquity 2. Camp There were three several Camps as may be learnt from the foregoing Chapters and as the Jewish Writers observe I. The Shekinah or Sanctuary where God was said to dwell 2 Chron. 31.2 And to be especially present with the Israelites Exod. 29.42 43. II. The Camp of the Levites who with the Priests camped round about the Sanctuary chap. 3. III. The Camp of Israel which is described chap. 2. Of this Camp are those words understood which we find Deut. 23.10 11. Leper Levit. 13.3 It was required before that he should dwell alone and that his habitation should be without the Camp Levit. â—3 46 That Law was not practicable till the Camp was setled which was now done It is certain that the Leper was excluded out of each of the Camps above named for he was to dwell alone and therefore shut out of the Camp of Israel and out of the Cities afterward 2 Kings 7.3 Issue Levit. 15.2 He that was under this pollution though he might continue in the Camp of Israel and was not confined or obliged to dwell alone as the Leper was v. 5 6 7 8 9. yet he was not permitted to go into the Levite's Camp till he was clean Levit. 15.13 14. much less might he go into the Sanctuary Dead Levit. 21.1 This was still a lower degree of Uncleanness For he that was unclean by an Issue was upon that account to bring a Sacrifice for his Atonement Levit. 15.14 15. But he that had touched a dead Body was not obliged to bring an expiatory Sacrifice but to the use of the Water of Separation onely Numb 19.12 Now though he that was thus defiled with the touch of a dead Body were excluded from the Sanctuary 2 Chron. 23.19 Numb 19.13 into which no person might enter that was in any thing unclean yet have we no cause to suppose him excluded from any of the other Camps 3. I dwell Or Am more peculiarly present 6. When a man c. Levit. 6.3 That men commit i. e. Which they are ordinarily obnoxious to or overtaken with We have a more particular account of this matter Levit. 6. 7. Confess The Confession of Sin is required in order to Pardon Prov. 28.13 Job 33.27 28. And this Confession among the Jews was made in this form of words O God I have sinned I have done perversely I have trespassed before thee and I have done thus and thus and lo I repent and am ashamed of my doings and will never do so no more Maimon H. Teshub c. 1. His trespass i. e. The thing in which he hath trespassed or injured his Neighbour With the principal Or In the principal Levit. 6.5 Fifth â—ee the Notes on Levit. 6.5 8. No kinsman Which might frequently happ'n where the wronged persons were Proselytes Priest Whom God substitutes as his Receiver Ram of the atonement See Levit. 6.6 7. 9. Offering Or Heave-offering See Numb 18.8 10. Hallowed things Such were things separated by Vow Levit 27.21 Numb 18.14 and First-fruits Numb 18.12 His Levit. 10.13 12. A trespass This is to be understood of Disloyalty to her Husband and to be interpreted by the words which follow 13. No witness c. For in such cases she was to be put to death Levit. 20.10 Joh. 8.4 5. 14. The spirit of jealousie i. e. A jealous Mind or Affection As the spirit of meekness signifies a meek spirit or temper Gal. 6.1 15. The tenth part of an Ephah Or an Omer See the Notes on Exod. 16.36 Of Barley-meal he shall pour no oyl c. This Offering of Barley-meal without either Oyl or Frankincense betoken'd sorrow and a sense of guilt It was not an Offering of sweet savour as that is called which had both Oyl and Frankincense Levit. 2.2 But this is an Offering bringing iniquity to remembrance and therefore will admit neither of Oyl nor Frankincense Levit. 5.11 16. Her Or It i. e. The Offering not the Woman of whom in v. 18. Before the LORD See the Notes on Levit. 1.5 17. Holy water i. e. Water out of the Laver Exod. 30.18 Dust This was likewise a sign of sorrow Job 2.12 See the Notes on v. 15. 18. Vncover This is likewise another token of sorrow Levit 21.10 and v. 15. And the Woman's Fidelity and Chastity being questioned the Covering of her Head betokening her Subjection and Chastity 1 Cor. 11. was fitly taken away Bitter water Though we are told by the Jewish Writers that some bitter thing was put into this Water which made it bitter yet it might be truly called bitter from the Effect of it upon the guilty to whom bringing a Curse it was bitter in the End 19. Charge her by an oath Or adjure her as the Vulgar Latin hath it See the Notes on Levit. 5.1 With another instead of thy husband Or being in the power of thy husband Heb. Vnder thy husband 21. Charge See v. 19. An Oath An Example saith the Vulgar That is a common instance in forms of Execration which do accompany Oaths Rot Heb. Fall 22. Amen Or Be it so We have Amen here twice and that perhaps with a distinct reference to v. 19. and to what follows from v. 20. 23. These curses Those words from v. 20. at least In a book So a Scroll or Parchment or small Writing was called among the Jews Deut. 24.1 Blot c. i. e. Shall blot out the Curses with the Water and when he hath done so the Woman must drink that Water which was the Receiver of these words of Execration v. 24. 24. Bitter See verse 18. 28. Conceive seed Not by the virtue of the Water which hath a contrary effect upon the guilty but by the special Providence of God 30. Set the woman See v. 18. 31. Then shall the man be guiltless c. The Jews have from hence taught that the Water would not try the suspected Woman if her Husband were not innocent himself when he brought her to this tryal CHAP. VI. The ARGUMENT Of the Vow of the Nazarites and of their Offering for their Separation The Form of the Priests Blessing the People 1. AND the LORD spake unto Moses saying 2. Speak unto the children of Israel and say unto them When either man or woman shall separate themselves to vow a vow of a Nazarite
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
Scripture represented by the flowing out of Waters Isa 48.1 Prov. 5.15 16 17 18. And many waters in the Scripture phrase are put for many people Rev. 17.15 Psal 144.7 Jer. 47.2 His king shall be higher then Agag The Amalekites were at this time a powerfull and daring People See v. 20. with Exod. 17.20 Agag was the common Name as hath been with great probability thought of the Kings of that People As Pharaoh and in after-times Ptolomy was of the Egyptian Kings and then these words foretell the great Power of the Israelites which should exceed that of their most potent Neighbours And with respect to the Amalekites also as the Israelites had in some measure overcome them Exod. 17. so they did it afterwards in the days of Saul 1 Sam. 15. and in the days of Mordecai Esther 3.1 with ch 7.10 8. God c. chap. 23.22 9. He couched Gen. 49.9 10. He smote his hands together In token of great Anger and Displeasure Ezek 21.17 and 22.13 14. Come therefore and I will advertise thee c. Or Come I will counsel thee The Chaldee so renders this Verse as that it does both express Balaam's Counsel as well as his Prediction of what should come to pass in after-times And though his Evil Counsel be not particularly set down here yet both Philo the Jew and Josephus tell us it thus viz. That Balaam upon his departure told Balak that the onely way to prevail upon this people would be to draw them into sin and to that purpose he counselled him to tempt them with their beautifull Women These were first to entice the Israelites with their Beauty and compliant Conversations and when they had entangled their Affections they were to consent to their Embraces upon condition that the Israelites would forsake their own Law and worship the God of the Moabites That this came to pass is evident from chap. 25.1 2 3. And that Balaam was the Author of this Advice is moreover confirmed from ch 31.16 where Moses speaking of the Women of Midian saith These caused the children of Israel through the counsel of Balaam to commit trespass against the Lord in the matter of Peor and there was a plague among the congregation of the Lord. Balaam is also said to have taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before the Children of Israel to eat things sacrificed to Idols and to commit Fornication Rev. 2.14 In the latter days That is In time to come 17. I shall see him but not now c. Or I do see though at a great distance what I am now foretelling A Star out of Jacob A Star a King says the Chaldee And considering what follows Shall smite the corners of Moab it may very well referr to King David 2 Sam. 8.2 Psal 60.8 and the other Kings who subdued Moab 2 King 3.4 But then the Prophecy looks farther even to the Messias an eminent Type of whom David was Jer. 30.9 Ezek. 34.23 And well may he be called a Star here who is elsewhere called The Sun of righteousness Mal. 4.2 and the bright and morning Star Rev. 22.16 And the true light Joh. 1.9 and whose Birth was attended with a Star Matt. 2. And we find that the Jewish Writers acknowledge that Balaam does here foretell of the Messias A Scepter The Chaldee renders it Messias And a Rod or Scepter being the Ensign of a Ruler is put for the Person The Messias is elsewhere called a Ruler Isa 16.1 and chap. 22.23 compared with the Greek a Governour Jer. 30.21 Smite the corners of Moab Or Smite through the princes of Moab How this was verified in David may be learned from 2 Sam. 8.2 But the Messias wrought a greater Conquest than David his Dominion was to be from Sea to Sea and from the River unto the ends of the Earth Ps 72.8 9 10. Ps 2.8 9. He vanquished the Superstition and Idolatry that had overspread the World he did smite the earth with the rod of his mouth and slay the wicked with the breath of his lips Isa 11.4 Now as his Person was typified by David so the advancement of his Kingdom is represented here by his Conquests also over Moab and Edom c. It is said of David that he put Garrisons in Edom and all the Edomites became David's servants 1 Chron. 18.13 and upon this account David himself said Moab is my washpot over Edom will I cast out my shooe Ps 60.8 Compare Isa 63.1 2. All the children of Seth By the Jews this is understood of all Mankind which are called the children of Seth because derived from him Nizachon pag. 70. Abel was killed and we read of no Children he had The Children of Cain perished in the Flood those that escaped and from whom all Men proceeded were the Posterity of Seth and certain it is that the Messias was to have Dominion over the World However it is very probable that this is not the meaning of the place here and that by the Children of Seth is meant some particular People either part of Moab or Ammon or some other neighbouring Country then well known 18. And Edom shall c. See the Note on v. 17. to which add Amos 9.12 and Obadiah v. 18. 19. He that shall have dominion That is David and other powerfull Kings but especially the Messias Of the city particularly of the Edomites 1 King 11.15 And the Messias shall overcome the strongest Enemies of his Church 20. The first of the nations i. e. The first of the nations that warred against Israel Exod. 17. This sense the Chaldee gives of the place And the Victory the Israelites gained over Amalek was not onely a pledge of succeeding Victories over other Enemies but over Amalek also See Exod 17.16 Shall be that he perish for ever Or Shall be even to destruction This was in great measure fulfilled 1 Sam. 30.17 and farther afterward 2 Sam. 8.12 21. Kenites A People of whom was Jethro and who were mingled with the People of Midian and Amalek and that too in very secure places which rendered them secure as if they had been seated in a Rock Exod. 3.1 Judg. 1.16 1 Sam. 15.6 22. Nevertheless the Kenite Heb. Kein shall be wasted They shall from time to time suffer among the People with whom they were joined viz. That of Midian and Amalek c. Vntil Asshur shall carry thee away captive Or How long shall it be ere Asshur carry thee away captive The Kenites who lived in the Land of Israel Judg. 4.11 were involved in the Captivity by the King of Assyria as well as they in the two Tribes in that by the King of Babylon which is also called the King of Assyria Ezr. 6.22 See 1 Chron. 2.55 23. Alas who shall live These words imply that great will be the Calamity of the Times last predicted of 24. Ships shall come from the coast of Chittim Chittim was the Son of Javan who was one of the Sons of Japhet Gen. 10.4 From him
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
Atroth Shophan and Jaazer and Jogbehah 36. And Beth-nimrah and Beth-haran fenced cities and folds for sheep 37. And the children of Reuben built Heshbon and Elealeh and Kirjathaim 38. And Nebo and Baal-meon their names being changed and Shibmah and gave other names unto the cities which they builded 39. And the children of Machir the son of Manasseh went to Gilead and took it and dispossessed the Amorite which was in it 40. And Moses gave Gilead unto Machir the son of Manasseh and he dwelt therein 41. And Jair the son of Manasseh went and took the small towns thereof and called them Havoth-jair 42. And Nobah went and took Kenath and the villages thereof and called it Nobah after his own name 1. JAzer The Name of a place taken from the Amorites ch 21.32 Gilead A place famous for Pasture divided to the Reubenites and Gadites and the half Tribe of Manasseh Deut. 3.12 13. with Jer. 50.19 and Micah 7.14 3. Nimrah This place is called Beth-Nimrah v. 36. It is usual among the Hebrews in the names of places to cut off the former part Thus Jerusalem is sometimes called Salem Psal 76.2 and Shittim is put for Abel-Shittim ch 25.1 with ch 33.49 and Lehi for Ramath-Lehi Judg. 15.17 19. 7. Discourage Heb. Break. 8. Thus did your fathers That is They did discourage the Congregation See ch 13.31 32. 9. When Chap. 13.24 11. From twenty Chap. 14.28 29. Wholly followed me Heb. Fulfilled after me 12. The Kenezite He was so called from Kenaz 1 Chron. 4.13 15. compared with Josh 15.17 17. Because of the inhabitants i. e. Lest they should destroy them 20. Moses Josh 1.13 Before the LORD i. e. Before the Ark which was the Symbol of the Lord's Presence And this they did when the Congregation passed over Jordan before the Ark passed over Josh 4.11 it being expressly said that the Children of Reuben and Gad and half the Tribe of Manasseh passed over armed before the children of Israel v. 12. and that about forty thousand prepared for war passed over before the Lord unto battel v. 13. 22. Shall be your possession before the LORD i. e. You shall possess it with the Lord's approbation and leave 23. Your sin will find you out i. e. You shall be punished for your Disobedience Or as the Greek hath it Ye shall know your sin when Evils over-take you 27. But thy servants Josh 4.12 33. Moses gave Deut. 3.12 Josh 13.8 and 22.4 And unto half the tribe of Manasseh These are added by Moses there being more Land here than what was needfull for the Children of Gad and Reuben And the reason why he gave it to the Children of Manasseh was because they had dispossessed the Amorite and had thereupon a fairer pretence See v. 39. and compare it with Josh 17.1 34. Built Or repaired and fortified 38. Their names being changed They were changed upon the Conquest and probably upon the account of the Idolatry which their old Names were the Memorials of This may be presumed of Nebo and Baal-meon Baal or Bel was the name of an Idol and so was Nebo also Bel boweth down Nebo stoopeth says the Prophet Isa 46.1 Gave other names unto the cities Heb. They called by names the names of the cities 39. Machir Gen. 50.23 40. Gilead unto Machir i. e. He gave half Mount Gilead to the Posterity of Machir Deut. 3.12 13. See v. 39. 41. Jair the son of Manasseh Deut. 3.14 Jair was by his Mother's side of the Posterity of Manasseh 1 Chron. 2.21 22. CHAP. XXIII The ARGUMENT The several Removes or Journeys of the Israelites They are Commanded to destroy the Inhabitants of Canaan and their Monuments of Idolatry under a severe Penalty 1. THese are the journeys of the children of Israel which went forth out of the land of Egypt with their armies under the hand of Moses and Aaron 2. And Moses wrote their goings out according to their journeys by the commandment of the LORD and these are their journeys according to their goings out 3. And they departed from Rameses in the first month on the fifteenth day of the first month on the morrow after the passeover the children of Israel went out with an high hand in the sight of all the Egyptians 4. For the Egyptians buried all their first-born which the LORD had smitten among them upon their gods also the LORD executed judgments 5. And the children of Israel removed from Rameses and pitched in Succoth 6. And they departed from Succoth and pitched in Etham which is in the edge of the wilderness 7. And they removed from Etham and turned again unto Pi-hahiroth which is before Baal-zephon and they pitched before Migdol 8. And they departed from before Pi-hahiroth and passed through the midst of the sea into the wilderness and went three days journey in the wilderness of Etham and pitched in Marah 9. And they removed from Marab and came unto Elim and in Elim were twelve fountains of water and threescore and ten palm-trees and they pitched there 10. And they removed from Elim and encamped by the Red-sea 11. And they removed from the Red-sea and encamped in the wilderness of Sin 12. And they took their journey out of the wilderness of Sin and encamped in Dophkah 13. And they departed from Dophkah and encamped in Alush 14. And they removed from Alush and encamped at Rephidim where was no water for the people to drink 15. And they departed from Rephidim and pitched in the wilderness of Sinai 16. And they removed from the desart of Sinai and pitched at Kibroth-hattaavah 17. And they departed from Kibroth-hattaavah and encamped at Hazeroth 18. And they departed from Hazeroth and pitched in Rithmah 19. And they departed from Rithmah and pitched at Rimmon-parez 20. And they departed from Rimmon-parez and pitched in Libnah 21. And they removed from Libnah and pitched at Rissah 22. And they journeyed from Rissah and pitched in Kehelathah 23. And they went from Kebelatbab and pitched in mount Shapher 24. And they removed from mount Shapher and encamped in Haradah 25. And they removed from Haradah and pitched in Makheloth 26. And they removed from Makheloth and encamped at Tahath 27. And they departed from Tahath and pitched at Tarah 28. And they removed from Tarah and pitched in Mithcah 29. And they went from Mithcah and pitched in Hashmonah 30. And they departed from Hashmonah and encamped at Moseroth 31. And they departed from Moseroth and pitched in Bene-jaakan 32. And they removed from Bene-jaakan and encamped at Hor-hagidgad 33. And they went from Hor-hagidgad and pitched in Jotbathah 34. And they removed from Jotbathah and encamped at Ebronah 35. And they departed from Ebronah and encamped at Ezion-gaber 36. And they removed from Ezion-gaber and pitched in the wilderness of Zin which is Kadesh 37. And they removed from Kadesh and pitched in mount Hor in the edge of the land of Edom. 38. And Aaron the priest went up into mount Hor at the commandment of
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
water 12. That thou shouldest enter into covenant with the LORD thy God and into his oath which the LORD thy God maketh with thee this day 13. That he may establish thee to day for a people unto himself and that he may be unto thee a God as he hath said unto thee and as he hath sworn unto thy fathers to Abraham to Isaac and to Jacob. 14. Neither with you onely do I make this covenant and this oath 15. But with him that standeth here with us this day before the LORD our God and also with him that is not here with us this day 16. For ye know how we have dwelt in the land of Egypt and how we came through the nations which ye passed by 17. And ye have seen their abominations and their idols wood and stone silver and gold which were among them 18. Lest there should be among you man or woman or family or tribe whose heart turneth away this day from the LORD our God to go and serve the gods of these nations lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood 19. And it come to pass when he heareth the words of this curse that he bless himself in his heart saying I shall have peace though I walk in the imagination of mine heart to add drankenness to thirst 20. The LORD will not spare him but then the anger of the LORD and his jealousie shall smoke against that man and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him and the LORD shall blot out his name from under heavâ—â— 21. And the LORD shall separate him unto evil out of all the tribes of Israel according to all the curses of the covenant that are written in this book of the law 22. So that the generation to come of your children that shall rise up after you and the stranger that shall come from a fâ—â— land shall say when they see the plagues of that land and the sicknesses which the LORD hath laid upon it 23. And that the whole land thereof is brimstone and salt and burning that it is not sown nor beareth nor any grass groweth therein like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah Admah and Zeboim which the LORD overthrew in his anger and in his wrath 24. Even all nations shall say Wherefore hath the LORD done thus unto this land What meaneth the heat of this great anger 25. Then men shall say Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD God of their fathers which he made with them where he brought them forth out of the land of Egypt 26. For they went and served other gods and worshipped them gods whom they knew not and whom he had not given unto them 27. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against this land to bring upon it all the curses that are written in this book 28. And the LORD rooted them out of their land in anger and in wrath and in great indignation and cast them into another land as it is this day 29. The secret things belong unto the LORD our God but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for even that we may do all the words of this law 1. BEside the covenant which he made with them in Horeb. This is the same Covenant with that in Horeb But because they had broken that and because they are now just entring into the promised Land and Moses had given them a more full Explication of the Law and was ready to die he renews the Covenant which they had before entred into 4. Yet the LORD hath not given you an heart to perceive and eyes to see c. That is God hath thought fit for your Sins and Provocations to leave you to your own Stupidity and Blindness of Heart God had done great things for them In his love and in his pity he redeemed c. But they rebelled and vexed his holy Spirit Isa 63.9 10. And that they were utterly inexcusable will appear from what follows v. 5 6 7. In which words we are told that God took great care of them that they might be at leisure to consider For they were not distracted with the cares for Food and Raiment c. God having made a great and miraculous Provision for them 6. Bread i. e. Bread which required not any labour of plowing or sowing of threshing and grinding c. But Manna from Heaven prepared ready to your Hands Wine or strong Drink These would have required some considerable Pains Instead of that they were supplied with Water which followed them 7. We smote them We were not enfeebled for want of Wine and strong Drink nor left without the Divine Assistance 10. All of you They were all concerned and therefore all stood ready to renew their Covenant 11. The hewr c. i. e. The meanest Servant Jos 9.27 12. And into his Oath What is rendred Oath signifies rather a Curse which was generally annexed to an Oath See the LXXII and v. 19 20. And because this Covenant had Curses annexed which were solemnly denounced against Transgressours Chap. 27.14 15. The entring into Covenant and into the Curse in case of failure are here conjoined Nehem. 10.29 15. With him that is not here i. e. With your Posterity The promise was to Abraham and his Seed 16 17. These two Verses contain Motives to incline them to enter into Covenant with God viz. Both because God had brought them out of Egypt and throuh other Nations and because they had had the opportunity of discerning the Folly of these People in worshipping Idols which cannot help them 18. Lest there should be c. These words connect with that Declaration which God makes in order to prevent the Sinner's flattering himself in an Evil way v. 20. We may find a like Expression Gen. 3.22 23. A root that beareth gall and wormwood That is an Evil principle called an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God Heb. 3.12 which will infect and poison the Mind and produce the Curses denounced which will be very bitter Compare Act. 8.23 Heb. 12.15 19. To add drunkenness to thirst That is to abound in all manner of Wickedness To add sin to sin Isa 30.1 And drink it up like water Job 34.7 which course of Wickedness does but begâ—t a greater Inclination to do wickedly still As Drunkenness does not 〈◊〉 but increase the Thirst Isa 56.12 20. Blot out his name i. e. Destroy him For Name is frequently put for the person to whom that Name does belong as hath been observed 21. Shall separate him unto Evil c. Whereas such a Sinner may think to escape in a Crowd and flatter himself that the Blessings promised to God's People among whom he lives shall be his Portion he shall be singled out and rendred a Monument of God's Displeasure 23. Burning i. e. Parched and dried up and made barren Psal 107.34 26. He had not given unto them See
them with the poison of serpents of the dust 25. The sword without and terrour within shall destroy both the young man and the virgin the suckling also with the man of gray hairs 26. I said I would scatter them into corners I would make the remembrance of them to cease from among men 27. Were it not that I feared the wrath of the enemy lest their adversaries should behave themselves strangely and lest they should say Our hand is high and the LORD hath not done all this 28. For they are a nation void of counsel neither is there any understanding in them 29. O that they were wise that they understood this that they would consider their latter end 30. How should one chase a thousand and two put ten thousand to flight except their Rock had sold them and the LORD had shut them up 31. For their rock is not as our rock even our enemies themselves being judges 32. For their vine is of the vine of Sodom and of the fields of Gomorrah their grapes are grapes of gall their clusters are bitter 33. Their wine is the poison of dragons and the cruel venom of asps 34. Is not this laid up in store with me and sealed up among my treasures 35. To me belongeth vengeance and recompence their foot shall slide in due time for the day of their calamity is at hand and the things that shall come upon them make haste 36. For the LORD shall judge his people and repent himself for his servants When he seeth that their power is gone and there is none shut up or left 37. And he shall say Where are their gods their rock in whom they trusted 38. Which did eat the fat of their sacrifices and drank the wine of their drink-offerings let them rise up and help you and be your protection 39. See now that I even I am he and there is no god with me I kill and I make alive I wound and I heal neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand 40. For I lift up my hand to heaven and say I live for ever 41. If I whet my glittering sword and mine hand take hold on judgment I will render vengeance to mine enemies and will reward them that hate me 42. I will make mine arrows drunk with blood and my sword shall devour flesh and that with the blood of the slain and of the captives from the beginning of revenges upon the enemy 43. Rejoice O ye nations with his people for he will avenge the blood of his servants and will render vengeance to his adversaries and will be merciful unto his land and to his people 44. And Moses came and spake all the words of this song in the ears of the people he and Hoshea the son of Nun. 45. And Moses made an end of speaking all these words to all Israel 46. And he said unto them Set your hearts unto all the words which I testifie among you this day which ye shall command your children to observe to do all the words of this law 47. For it is not a vain thing for you because it is your life and through this thing you shall prolong your days in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it 48. And the LORD spake unto Moses that self same day saying 49. Get thee up into this mountain Abarim unto mount Nebo which is in the land of Moab that is over against Jericho and behold the land of Canaan which I give unto the children of Israel for a possession 50. And die in the mount whither thou goest up and be gathered unto thy people as Aaron thy brother died in mount Hor and was gathered unto his people 51. Because ye trespassed aginst me among the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah-kadesh in the wilderness of Zin because ye sanctified me not in the midst of the children of Israel 52. Yet thou shalt see the land before thee but thou shalt not go thither unto the land which I give the children of Israel 1. GIve ear O ye heavens c. Moses doth in these words what he promised chap. 31.28 call heaven and earth to record against them And this he does in the very entrance and beginning of this Song to raise and awaken in them the greater attention it being a matter of great moment when he solemnly calls upon the Heaven and the Earth to hear Isa 1.2 Compare chap. 4.26 and 30.19 Psal 50.4 Jer. 2.12 and 6.19 2. My doctrine shall drop as the rain That is it shall be fitted to gain its end upon Men that are disposed to receive it as the Rain is for the fructifying the Earth Isa 55.10 11. 1 Cor. 3.6 7 8. 3. I will publish the name of the LORD i. e. I will proclaim as the Hebrew word signifies and is rendred Prov. 20.6 the Divine Perfections and this he does in the following Verse Ascribe ye c. It is your part to magnifie him as ye ought Psal 68.34 4. He is the rock c. i. e. God is the Rock he is stable and immutable and a sure Foundation to rest upon And his Works are without any flaw or fault his dealings with Men are just and unexceptionable he is true and sincere in all his Declarations In a word he is upright and just and one who never swerves from that which is right 5. They have corrupted themselves c. i. e. They have sinned as the Greek and Vulgar have it and have been so far from imitating God whose work is perfect c. that they have been most unlike him their Crimes being of so high a nature that they speak them to be not his peculiar People but a perverse and crooked Generation 6. That bought thee that hath redeemed thee out of Egypt Vid. Exod. 15.16 To this purpose the Psalmist Remember the congregation which thou hast purchased of old the rod of thine inheritance which thou hast redeemed Psal 74.2 This was a great aggravation of their sin that they denied the Lord which bought them 2 Pet. 2.1 Compare Isa 1.3 and 1 Cor. 6.20 Made thee The Hebrew word which we translate made is observed to signifie to advance and so it is rendred 1 Sam. 12.6 and this seems to be the import of it in this place God's creating them is implyed before in that he is said to be their Father Established thee i. e. Fixed and settled thee 8. Divided c. Of which see Gen. ch 10. and chap. 11. He set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel i. e. He assigned to the Canaanites and the other Inhabitants of the Land called from them the Land of Canaan such a proportion of Land as would suffice the Israelites to whom it was designed when their Iniquities were full when they were come out of Egypt and were ready to possess it 9. The lot Heb. cord of his inheritance i. e. The Inheritance peculiarly belonging to him
invading their Office Deut. 31.9 Josh 3.6 and 6.6 Die 1 Chron. 13.10 16. Sweet incensâ— Exod. 30.34 Anointing oyl Exod. 30.23 18. Cut ye not off i. e. Do not occasion their destruction by neglecting to appoint them to their Service and leaving the Holy things uncovered v. 19 20. 20. Lest they die See 1 Sam. 6.19 compared with Lev. 16.2 and Exod. 19.12 23. To perform the service Heb. To war the warfare 24. Burdens Or Carriage 25. The Curtains c. i. e. The ten Curtains and the eleven which are mentioned Exod. 26. His covering viz. That of Ram's Skins Exod 26.14 27. Appointment Heb. Mouth 28. Vnder the hand Or In the hand i. e. The care and direction v. 33. 30. Service Heb. Warfare 31. Boards Exod 26.15 32. By name These things being very many of the smallest value and therefore the more liable to miscarry are to be numbred up particularly that not a Pin or Cord might be wanting when the Tabernacle was to be set up again 44. Three thousand and two hundred The Number of the Merarites taken chap. 3. was less than that of the Gershonites or Kohathites But the Number of them who are fit for Service is greater than either of thâ—â— whereas there were four Families of the Kohathites and but two of the Merarites So that though they had the greatest burden and variety of things under their charge they had no cause to complain having also the greatest number of Men fit to do the work belonging to them And as their number and burden was great so was their allowance and encouragement also chap. 7.7 8 9. 47. To do the service of the ministery and the service of the burden See the Note on verse 3. 49. Thus were they numbred c. That they were numbred by Moses c. we are told before The design of Numbring seems to be intimated here as well as the Order in which they are numbred For here they are numbred according to their service and for that reason the Kohathites are first numbred because they were charged with the most Holy and Principal things belonging to the Sanctuary Elsewhere the Sons of Levi stand in another Order Gershon being first named then Kohath and Merari Exod. 6.16 And the same Order is observed where their Families are numbred from a month old and upwards Numb 3.21 27 33. CHAP. V. The ARGUMENT The Vnclean are removed out of the Camp Of Restitution in case of Wrong done Of the Water of Jealousie 1. AND the LORD spake unto Moses saying 2. Command the children of Israel that they put out of the camp every lâ—â—er and every one that hath an issue and whosoever is defiled by the dead 3. Both male and female shall ye put out without the camp shall ye put them that they defile not their camps in the midst whereof I dwell 4. And the children of Israel did so and put them out without the camp as the LORD spake unto Moses so did the children of Israel 5. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 6. Speak unto the children of Israel When a man or woman shall commit any sin that men commit to do a trespass against the LORD and that person be guilty 7. Then they shall confess their sin which they have done and he shall recompense his trespass with the principal thereof and add unto it the fifth part thereof and give it unto him against whom he hath trespassed 8. But if the man have no kinsman to recompense the trespass unto let the trespass be recompensed unto the LORD even to the priest beside the ram of the atonement whereby an atonement shall be made for him 9. And every offering of all the holy things of the children of Israel which they bring unto the priest shall be his 10. And every man's hallowed things shall be his whatsoever any man giveth the priest it shall be his 11. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 12. Speak unto the children of Israel and say unto them If any man's wife go aside and commit a trespass against him 13. And a man lie with her carnally and it be hid from the eyes of her husband and be kept close and she be defiled and there be no witness against her neither she be taken with the manner 14. And the spirit of jealousie come upon him and he be jealous of his wife and she be defiled or if the spirit of jealousie come upon him and he be jealous of his wife and she be not defiled 15. Then shall the man bring his wife unto the priest and he shall bring her offering for her the tenth part of an ephah of barley-meal he shall pour no oyl upon it nor put frankincense thereon for it is an offering of jealousie an offering of memorial bringing iniquity to remembrance 16. And the priest shall bring her near and set her before the LORD 17. And the priest shall take holy water in an earthen vessel and of the dust that is in the floor of the tabernacle the priest shall take and put it into the water 18. And the priest shall set the woman before the LORD and uncover the woman's head and put the offering of memorial in her hands which is the jealousie-offering and the priest shall have in his hand the bitter water that causeth the curse 19. And the priest shall charge her by an oath and say unto the woman If no man have lien with thee and if thou hast not gone aside to uncleanness with another in stead of thy husband be thou free from this bitter water that causeth the curse 20. But if thou hast gone aside to another in stead of thy husband and if thou be defiled and some man hath lien with thee beside thine husband 21. Then the priest shall charge the woman with an oath of cursing and the priest shall say unto the woman The LORD make thee a curse and an oath among thy people when the LORD doth make thy thigh to rot and thy belly to swell 22. And this water that causeth the curse shall go into thy bowels to make thy belly to swell and thy thigh to rot And the woman shall say Amen amen 23. And the priest shall write these curses in a book and he shall blot them out with the bitter water 24. And he shall cause the woman to drink the bitter water that causeth the curse and the water that causeth the curse shall enter into her and become bitter 25. Then the priest shall take the jealousie-offering out of the woman's hand and shall wave the offering before the LORD and offer it upon the altar 26. And the priest shall take an handfull of the offering even the memorial thereof and burn it upon the altar and afterward shall cause the woman to drink the water 27. And when he hath made her to drink the water then it shall come to pass that if she be defiled and have done trespass against her husband that the water