Deuteronomy 12:1--16:17
[the statues.]
long <03117> [all the days.]
destroy <06> [utterly.]
[posses. or, inherit.]
tear down ............... cut down <05422 01438> [ye shall.]
tear down <05422> [overthrow. Heb. break down. and burn.]
eliminate <06> [and destroy.]
place <04725> [But unto.]
residence <07933> [habitation.]
burnt offerings <05930> [your burnt.]
tithes <04643> [tithes.]
feast <0398> [And there.]
feast ......... rejoice <0398 08055> [ye shall.]
<0376> [every man.]
When ... do go across <05674> [But when.]
settle ......................... live <03427> [ye dwell.]
place <04725> [a place.]
choice <04005> [your choice. Heb. the choice of your.]
rejoice <08055> [And ye.]
Levites <03881> [the Levite.]
since <03588> [forasmuch.]
[See on]
This was directly opposed to the customs of the heathen idolaters, in offering their sacrifices on the tops of hills and mountains.
<05315> [whatsoever.]
ritually .... impure <02931> [the unclean.]
Of the propriety of eating clean animals there could be no question, but the blood must be poured out: yet there were cases when they might kill and eat in all their gates such as the roebuck and the hart, or all clean wild beasts; for these being taken in hunting, and frequently shot by arrows, their blood could not be poured out at the altar
[See on]
tithe <04643> [the tithe.]
eat <0398> [thou must.]
rejoice <08055> [rejoice.]
Be careful <08104> [Take.]
long <03117> [as long, etc. Heb. all thy days.]
extends <07337> [shall.]
said <01696> [as he hath.]
eat ...... please ........ wish <0398> [I will.]
locate <07760> [to put.]
<02388> [sure. Heb. strong. the blood is.]
well <03190> [that it.]
doing <06213> [when.]
holy <06944> [holy.]
votive offerings <05088> [thy vows.]
burnt offerings <05930> [thy burnt.]
blood ........... blood <01818> [and the blood.]
careful <08104> [Observe.]
[See on]
well <03190> [that it may.]
eliminates <03772> [cut off.]
dispossess <03423> [succeedest. Heb. inheritest. or, possessest.]
be ensnared ....... pursue <05367 01875> [that thou.]
After <0310> [by following. Heb. after. How did.]
worship ......... do .............. done <06213> [Thou.]
Lord ............ abhorrent <08441 03068> [abomination to the. Heb. abomination of the. even their sons.]
The unnatural and horrid practice of offering human sacrifices not only existed, but universally prevailed among ancient nations. We have already (Note on Lev 20:2) referred to the custom among the Phoenicians and Carthaginians, descendants from the Canaanitish nations, of sacrificing their children to Moloch, or Saturn; and we will now cite a passage from Diodorus Siculus, (lib. xx.) which immediately precedes that already produced relative to this barbarous custom. He states that the Carthaginians imputed their being besieged by Agathocles to the anger of Saturn, because, instead of sacrificing the best of their own children, as formerly, they had sacrificed children bought for that purpose. "In haste, therefore, to rectify their errors, they chose 200 of the noblest children, and publicly sacrificed them! Others, accused of irreligion, voluntarily gave themselves up, to the number of no less than 300!"
add <03254> [thou shalt not.]
prophet <05030> [a prophet.]
That is, one pretending to the divine inspiration and authority of the prophetic office, or a dreamer of dreams, one who pretends that some deity has spoken to him in the night season, and giveth thee a sign, {oth,} what appears to be a miraculous proof of his mission, or a wonder, {mopheth,} some portentous sign, such as an eclipse, which he, who knew when it would happen, might predict to the people, who knew nothing of the matter, and thereby accredit his pretensions. But no pretended miracles must be admitted as a proof that the people might violate the first and great commandment.
foretells <02492> [a dreamer.]
listen <08085> [hearken.]
testing <05254> [proveth.]
Lord ... God .......... love him <0430 0157 03068 03426> [ye love the Lord your God.]
<03212> [walk.]
obey <08085> [and obey.]
remain loyal <01692> [and cleave.]
prophet <05030> [prophet.]
encouraged <01696> [spoken. Heb. spoken revolt against the Lord. turn you.]
purge ... evil ... within <07451 01197 07130> [put the evil away from the midst.]
full brother <0251> [thy brother.]
<05315> [which is.]
seduce <05496> [entice.]
known <03045> [which thou.]
give in <014> [consent.]
feel <05869> [shall thine.]
kill ... without fail <02026> [But.]
hand ............ hands <03027> [thine hand.]
stone <05619 068> [stone him.]
By this law, every Israelite was bound in conscience to inform against, to prosecute, and to assist at the execution of any one, even the nearest relation or friend, who attempted to persuade him to idolatry; yet it is observable that parents and husbands are not expressly mentioned in the list of those who were thus publicly accused.--Scott.
delivered ... from <03318> [which brought.]
slavery <05650> [bondage. Heb. bondmen.]
<01121> [the children. or, naughty men.]
evil <01100> [Belial.]
Belial is derived by some from {beli,} not, and {ƒl,} over, i.e., one so proud and envious as not to bear a superior; by others, from {beli,} not, and {ol,} a yoke, i.e., a lawless, ungovernable person, [andres paranomoi,] "lawless men," as the LXX render. It is, however, more probably derived from {beli,} not, and {y„ƒl}, profit, i.e., a worthless person, good for nothing to himself or others, and capable of nothing but mischief.
departed <03318> [are gone.]
<03212> [Let us.]
annihilate <02763> [destroying it utterly.]
burn <08313 0784> [burn with.]
ruin <08510> [an heap.]
<01692> [cleave.]
placed under judgment <02764> [cursed. or, devoted.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
show <05414> [and shew.]
multiply <07235> [and multiply.]
promised <07650> [as he hath.]
keeping <08104> [to keep.]
children <01121> [the children.]
cut <01413> [ye shall not.]
The heathen nations not only did these things in honour of their gods, but in grief for the death of a relative.
wild goat <0689> [the wild goat.]
The word {akko,} according to the LXX. and Vulgate, signifies the {tragelephus,} or goat-deer; so called from its resemblance to both species. Dr. Shaw states that an animal of this kind is found in the East, where it is called {fisht–ll,} and {lerwee.} pygarg. or, bison. Heb. dishon. The {pygarg,} [pygargos,] or white-buttocks, according to the LXX.; and Dr. Shaw states that the {liƒmee,} as the Africans call it, is exactly such an animal; being of the same shape and colour as the antelope, and of the size of a roebuck.
wild oryx <08377> [the wild ox.]
{Theo,} probably the {oryx} of the Greeks, a species of large stag; and the {Bekkar el wash} of Dr. Shaw.
On this verse remark, that the clean beast must both chew the cud and part the hoof: two distinct characteristics, or general signs, by which the possibility of error arising from the misinterpretation of names is obviated. When God directs, his commands are not of doubtful interpretation.
pig <02386> [the swine.]
touch <05060> [touch.]
kite <07201> [the glede.]
{RaÆ’h,} probably the same as {daÆ’h,} rendered vulture in Le 11:14, where six of Dr. Kennicott's codices read some animal of the hawk or vulture kind: LXX. [gupa,] vulture.
owl <08464> [the night.]
{Tachmas,} probably the bird which Hasselquist calls {strix orientalis}, or oriental owl.
seagull <07828> [the cuckow.]
{Shachpaph,} probably the sea-gull or mew.
white owl <08580> [the swan.]
{Tinshemeth,} probably, as Michaelis supposes, the goose.
carrion vulture <07360> [gier.]
{Rachamah,} probably a species of vulture, still called in Arabic by the same name.
cormorant <07994> [the cormorant.]
{Shalach,} probably the cataract, or plungeon, a sea fowl.
hoopoe <01744> [the lapwing.]
{Doocheephath,} the {upupa,} or hoop, a beautiful but very unclean bird.
corpse <05038> [any thing.]
resident foreigner <01616> [the stranger.]
holy <06918> [an holy.]
you may give ...................................... boil <05414 01310> [Thou shalt.]
presence ......... eat <06440 0398> [eat before.]
firstborn <01062> [the firstlings.]
place <04725> [if the place.]
locate ..... distant <03068> [which.]
Then you ....... you <05414> [bestow.]
desire <05315> [thy soul.]
desire <07592> [desireth. Heb. asketh of thee. eat.]
enjoy <08055> [rejoice.]
Levites <03881> [the Levite.]
allotment <02506> [he hath no.]
end <07097> [the end.]
bring <03318> [thou shalt bring.]
As the Levites had no inheritance, the Israelites were not to forget them, but truly tithe their increase. For their support, the Levites had, 1. The tenth of all the productions of the land. 2. Forty-eight cities, each forming a square of 4,000 cubits. 3. Two thousand cubits of ground round each city; total of land, 53,000 acres. 4. The first-fruits, and certain parts of all the animals killed in the land. But though this was a very small proportion for a whole tribe that had consented to annihilate its political existence, that it might wait upon the service of God, yet, let it be considered, that what they possessed was the best of the land: and while it was slender remuneration for their services, yet their portion was such as rendered them independent, and kept them comfortable; so that they could wait on God, and labour in his work, without distraction.
allotment <02506> [he hath.]
resident foreigners <01616> [the stranger.]
Lord <03068> [that the Lord.]
creditor ....... loaned <05383 01167> [creditor that lendeth. Heb. master of the lending of his hand. exact it.]
However <0657> [Save, etc. or, To the end that there be no poor among you.]
Houbigant follows this marginal reading, to which he joins the end of the third verse, considering it as explanatory of the law; as if he had said, "Thou shalt not exact the debt that is due from thy brother, but thy hand shall release him, for this reason, that there may be no poor among you through your severity." He justly contends that the phrase {ephes kee,} can here only mean, "to the end that," being equivalent to the French {afin que.}
bless <01288> [greatly bless.]
lend ........ borrow <05670> [thou shalt lend.]
rule ......... rule <04910> [thou shalt reign.]
poor .............. condition <034> [there be.]
Lest the preceding law might render the Israelites cautious in lending to the poor, Moses here warns them against being led by so mean a principle; but to lend liberally, and God would reward them.
harden <0553> [thou shalt.]
careful <08104> [Beware.]
<01697> [thought, etc. Heb. word with thine heart of Belial. thine eye.]
cry out <07121> [he cry.]
sinned <02399> [sin unto thee.]
<03824> [thine heart.]
because <01558> [because.]
poor .......................... poor <034> [the poor.]
Although Moses, by the statutes relative to the division of the land, and inheritance, and the inalienable nature of it, had studied to prevent any Israelite from being born poor, yet he exhorts them to the exercise of the tenderest compassion and most benevolent actions; and not to refuse assistance to the decayed Israelite, though the sabbatical year drew nigh.
make sure ... open <06605> [Thou shalt.]
This is a most humane and merciful addition to the law in Ex 21:2-11; enforced upon the Israelites by the consideration of their Egyptian bondage. As a faithful servant has made no property for himself while honestly serving his master, so now, when he quits his service, he has nothing to begin the world with except what the kindness of his master may bestow upon him as a remuneration for his zeal and fidelity. Though what was to be bestowed upon servants is not fixed, yet they were to be liberally supplied. (ver. 14.)
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
permanently <05769> [for ever.]
difficult <07185> [shall not.]
twice <04932> [a double.]
firstborn .............. firstborn ........ firstborn <01060> [the firstling.]
work <05647> [thou shalt do.]
ritually impure <02931> [the unclean.]
gazelle <06643> [the roe-buck.]
{Tzevee,} in Arabic {zaby,} Chaldee and Syriac {tavya,} denotes the gazelle or antelope, so called from its stately beauty, as the word imports. In size it is smaller than the roe, of an elegant form, and it motions are light and graceful. It bounds seemingly without effort, and runs with such swiftness that few creatures can exceed it. (2 Sa 2:18.) Its fine eyes are so much celebrated as even to become a proverb; and its flesh is much esteemed for food among eastern nations, having a sweet, musky taste, which is highly agreeable to their palates. (1 Ki 4:23.) If to these circumstances we add, that they are gregarious, and common all over the East, whereas the roe is either not known at all, or else very rare in these countries, little doubt can remain that the gazelle and not the roe is intended by the original word.
month ............... month <02320> [the month.]
Passover <06453> [the passover.]
This word comes from the Hebrew verb {pasach,} to pass, to leap or skip over. The destroying angel passed over the houses marked with the blood of the Paschal Lamb, so the wrath of God passes over those whose souls sprinkled with the blood of Christ. 1Co 5:7. As the paschal lamb was killed before Israel was delivered, so by the death of Christ, we have redemption through his blood. It was killed before the tables of the law were delivered to Moses, or Aaron's sacrifices were enjoined; thus deliverance comes to men, not by the works of the law, but by the only true passover, the Lamb of God. Ro 3:25. Heb 9:14. It was killed the first month of the year, which prefigured that Christ should suffer death in that month. Joh 18:28. it was killed in the evening. Ex 12:6. Christ suffered at that time of the day. Mt 27:46. Heb 1:2. At even the sun sets; at Christ's passion, universal darkness was upon the whole earth. The passover was roasted with fire, denoting the sharp and dreadful pains that Christ should suffer, not only from men, but God also. It was to be eaten with bitter herbs, Ex 12:8; not only to put them in remembrance of their bitter bondage in Egypt, but also to testify our mortification to sin, and readiness to undergo afflictions for Christ, Col 1:24; and likewise to teach us the absolute necessity of true repentance in all that would profitably feed by faith on Christ, the true paschal lamb.
month ............... month <02320> [for in.]
sacrifice <02076> [sacrifice.]
Lord ...... place <04725 03068> [in the place which.]
eat ... yeast ......... eat <0398 02557> [eat no.]
bread <03899> [the bread.]
came out ...................... came out <03318> [for thou camest.]
remember <02142> [mayest.]
yeast <07603> [there shall.]
meat <01320> [neither.]
sacrifice <02076> [sacrifice. or, kill.]
evening <06153> [at even.]
cook <01310> [roast.]
place <04725> [in the place.]
six days .... day ..................... day <08337 03117> [Six days.]
assembly <06116> [solemn assembly. Heb. restraint.]
offering <04530> [a tribute. or, sufficiency.]
Lord <03068> [according.]
Festival <02282> [the feast.]
grain ... grape <03342 01637> [corn and thy wine. Heb. floor and thine wine-press.]
seven days <07651 03117> [Seven days.]
Lord ....... he .... he <03068> [because.]
Three times <07969 06471> [Three times.]
appear ................................ appear <07200> [and they shall.]
give <04979> [as he is able. Heb. according to the gift of his hand.]
