Deuteronomy 12:1--25:19
[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.]
judges ....................... judge <08199> [Judges.]
villages <08179> [in all thy gates.]
This expression may refer to the gate of the city, as the forum or place of public concourse among the Israelites, where a court of judicature was held, to try all causes and decide all affairs. The same practice obtained among other Eastern nations. The Ottoman court, it is well known, derived its appellation of the {Porte,} from the distribution of justice and the dispatch of public business at its gates. And the square tower which forms the principal entrance to the Alhamra, or red palace of the Moorish kings of Grenada, retains to this day the appellation of the Gate of judgment, from its having been the place where justice was at one period summarily administered.
pervert <05186> [wrest.]
show <05234> [respect.]
words <01697> [words. or, matters.]
justice <06664> [That which, etc. Heb. Justice, justice.]
live <02421> [live.]
sacred pillar <04676> [image. or, statue, or pillar.]
Lord <03068> [which.]
sacrifice <02076> [Thou shalt.]
[See on]
sheep <07716> [sheep. or, goat. any evil favouredness.]
offensive <08441> [for that.]
one .... villages <08179 0259> [within any of thy gates.]
The expression, "within any of thy gates," denoted all residing in the cities, and all who went in and came out at the gates of them; so that it included the inhabitants of the whole land.
man <0376> [man.]
breaks <05674> [in transgressing.]
sun <08121> [the sun.]
permitted <06680> [which.]
must <01875> [enquired.]
stone <05619 068> [stone them.]
witnesses <05707> [of the witnesses.]
purge <01197> [So thou.]
matter .............. matters <01697 06965> [arise.]
bloodshed <01818> [between blood.]
go up <05927> [get thee up.]
priests <03548> [the priests.]
<05046> [they shall.]
instructed <06310 04941> [According to.]
right <03225> [to the right.]
pays <06213> [will do.]
attention <08085> [and will not hearken. Heb. not to hearken.]
priest <03548> [the priest.]
person ..................... person <0376> [that man.]
purge <01197> [thou shalt.]
hear <08085> [shall hear.]
presumptuous <02102> [presumptuously.]
come <0935> [When thou.]
select <07760> [I will set.]
Lord <03068> [whom.]
among <07130> [from among.]
designate <05414> [not set.]
accumulate horses <05483 07235> [multiply horses.]
Multiplying horses for chariots of war and cavalry, or for luxury, would increase the splendour of a monarch, and form a ground of confidence distinct from a proper confidence in God, and inconsistent with it, and with considering him as the glory of Israel. Egypt abounded in horses; and the desire of multiplying these would induce the prince to encourage a trade with that kingdom; and this might make way for the Israelites being again subjugated by the Egyptians, or at least corrupted by their idolatries and vices. Whereas, it was the command of God that they should no more return thither, but be totally detached from them. Besides, they might be tempted to extend their dominion by means of cavalry, and so get scattered among the surrounding idolatrous nations, and thus cease to be that distinct, separate people, which God intended they should be.
people <05971> [cause.]
again <03254> [Ye shall henceforth.]
many wives ........... accumulate <0802 07235> [multiply wives.]
many ............ accumulate <07235 03966> [neither shall he.]
<03789> [that he shall.]
copy <04932> [a copy.]
{Mishneh hattorah hazzoth,} "a duplicate of this law." translated by the Septuagint, [to deuteronomion touto,] this Deuteronomy. From this version, both the Vulgate and all the modern versions have taken the name of this book; and from it the original word, the Jews call it {Mishneh.}
<06440> [out of that which.]
himself <03824> [his heart.]
turn <05493> [he turn.]
right <03225> [right hand.]
turn ................ enjoy <05493 0748> [that he.]
allotment <02506> [shall have.]
eat <0398> [they shall.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
offer sacrifices <02077 02076> [offer a sacrifice.]
best .............. best <07225> [first-fruit.]
shear <01488> [the fleece.]
comes <0935> [come.]
comes ...... will <0935 0185> [and come with.]
place <04725> [unto the place.]
fellow <0251> [as all his brethren.]
same share <02506> [like portions.]
sale .... family's inheritance <01 04465> [that which cometh of the sale of his patrimony. Heb. his sales by the fathers.]
son <01121> [maketh.]
or ......... divination .... reader <07081 07080> [that useth divination.]
The precise import of the terms here used to express these unhallowed practices cannot be clearly ascertained: he that useth divination, {kosaim, kesamim,} seems a general term for the various species after specified; observer of times, {meonain,} one who pretends to foretell by the clouds, planets, etc.; enchanter {menachesh,} a diviner, either by means of serpents, or by inspecting the entrails of beasts, the flight of birds, etc.; a witch, {mecashsheph,} one who used magical fumigations, etc.; a charmer, {chover chaver,} one who uses spells, or a peculiar conjunction of words, or tying knots, etc.; a consulter with familiar spirits, {shoel ov,} a pythoness; a wizard, {yidoni,} a cunning man; necromancer, {doresh el hammaithim} one who seeks enquiries of the dead.
necromancer <01875> [or a necromancer.]
blameless <08549> [Thou shalt.]
blameless <08549> [perfect. or, upright, or, sincere.]
about ... dispossess <03423> [possess. or, inherit. hath not suffered.]
prophet <05030> [a Prophet.]
listen <08085> [like unto me.]
listen <08085> [unto him.]
Horeb <02722> [in Horeb.]
hear <08085> [Let me not hear.]
raise <06965> [raise them.]
put <05414> [like unto.]
put <05414> [will put.]
speak <01696> [he shall.]
prophet .......................... prophet <05030> [the prophet.]
name .............. name <08034> [in the name.]
speaks ............... spoken ........ speak <01696> [speaketh.]
prediction <01697> [if the thing.]
presumed <02087> [presumptuously.]
fear <01481> [shalt not.]
destroys <03772> [hath cut.]
dispossess <03423> [succeedest. Heb. inheritest, or possessest.]
apart .... three cities <07969 05892 0914> [separate three cities.]
Unquestionably in imitation of these cities, the heathen had their {asyla,} and the Roman Catholics their privileged altars: and similar traditions seem to obtain in many barbarous nations, for "the North American Indian nations have most of them either a house or town of refuge, which is a sure asylum to protect a manslayer, or the unfortunate captive, if he once enter it. In almost every Indian nation, there are several towns, which are called old beloved, ancient, holy, or white towns, (white being their fixed emblem of peace, friendship, prosperity, happiness, purity, etc.) They seem to have been formerly towns of refuge; for it is not in the memory of the oldest people that human blood was shed in them."
pertaining <07523> [the slayer.]
<08032 08543> [in time past. Heb. from yesterday the third day.]
ax head <01270> [head. Heb. iron.]
wood ........... tree ......... handle <06086> [helve. Heb. wood. lighteth. Heb. findeth. he shall flee.]
avenger <01350> [the avenger.]
kill <05315 05221> [slay him. Heb. smite him in life. not worthy.]
accident <08032 08543> [in time past. Heb. from yesterday the third day.]
careful <08104> [If thou shalt.]
add <03254> [then shalt thou.]
person <0376> [But if any.]
him <05315> [mortally. Heb. in life.]
<05869> [Thine eye.]
purge <01197> [but thou.]
encroach <05253> [shalt not remove.]
Before the extensive use of fences, landed property was marked out by stones or posts, set up so as to ascertain the divisions of family estates. It was easy to remove one of these landmarks, and set it in a different place; and thus a dishonest man might enlarge his own estate by contracting that of his neighbour. Hence it was a matter of considerable importance to prevent this crime among the Israelites; among whom, removing them would be equivalent to forging, altering, destroying, or concealing the title-deeds of an estate among us. Accordingly, by the Mosaic law, it was not only prohibited in the commandment against covetousness, but we find a particular curse expressly annexed to it in ch. 27:17. Josephus considers this law a general prohibition, intended not only to protect private property, but also to preserve the boundaries of kingdoms and countries inviolable.
<06310> [at the mouth.]
false witness <05707 02555> [a false witness.]
crime <05627> [that which is wrong. or, falling away.]
thoroughly <03190> [diligent.]
do ......... do <06213> [Then shall.]
purge <01197> [so shalt.]
principle .......... eye .... eye <05869> [thine eye.]
life .... life <05315> [life shall.]
go <03318> [goest out.]
chariotry <05483> [horses.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
fainthearted <03824> [let not.]
fainthearted <07401> [faint. Heb. be tender. tremble. Heb. make haste.]
terrified <06206> [be ye terrified.]
fight <03898> [to fight.]
officers <07860> [the officers.]
dedicated ............... dedicate <02596> [dedicated.]
benefited ................ benefit <02490 03212> [eaten of it. Heb. made it common.]
die <04191> [lest he die.]
engaged .... woman <0802 0781> [betrothed a wife.]
It was customary among the Jews to contract matrimony, espouse, or betroth, and for a considerable time to leave the parties in the houses of the respective parents; and when the bridegroom had made proper preparations, then the bride was brought home to his house, and the marriage consummated. The provisions in this verse refer to a case of this kind; though the Jews extend it to him who had newly consummated his marriage, and even to him who had married his brother's wife. It was deemed a peculiar hardship for a person to be obliged to go to battle, who had left a house unfinished, newly purchased land half tilled, or a wife with whom he had just contracted marriage.
die <04191> [lest he die.]
afraid <03373> [fearful.]
fellow <0251> [lest his brethren's.]
make ....... fearful <04549> [faint. Heb. melt.]
lead ... troops <07218 05971> [to lead the people. Heb. to be in the head of the people.]
offer it ... of <07121> [then proclaim.]
slaves <04522> [tributaries.]
kill <05221> [thou shalt smite.]
women <0802> [the women.]
spoil .... take <0962 0398> [take unto thyself. Heb. spoil. thou shalt eat.]
utterly annihilate them <02763> [thou shalt.]
Hittites <02850> [the Hittites.]
chop down .............. cut ... down <07843 03772> [thou shalt not.]
trees ................ tree <06086> [for the tree, etc. or, for, O man, the tree of the field is to be employed in the siege.]
The original is exceedingly difficult. The LXX. has it, "Is the tree in the field a man, to enter the trench before thee?" The Latin Vulgate: "For it is a tree, and not a man, neither can it increase the number of those who war against thee;" Onkelos, "For the tree of the field is not as a man, that it should come against thee in the siege;" and to the same purpose the Arabic, Philo, and Josephus who say, "If trees could speak, they would cry out, that it is unjust that they, who were no cause of the war, should suffer the miseries of it." However rendered, the sense is sufficiently clear: and it is a merciful provision to spare all the fruit trees for the support of both the besieged and besiegers.
<0935> [to employ, etc. Heb. to go from before thee.]
build <01129> [thou shalt build.]
falls <03381> [be subdued. Heb. come down.]
herd <01241> [an.]
wadi ... flowing water .............. wadi <05158 0386> [a rough valley.]
As the word {nachal} signifies both a torrent, and the valley or glen through which it flows, {nachal aithan} may be rendered a rapid torrent. Many torrents in Judea are dry during a great part of the year; when not only their banks but their beds may be ploughed, and yield a crop. Hence there is no impropriety in specifying that such a place should be one that "is neither cared nor sown;" while the circumstance that the elders were to wash their hands over the heifer, whose head had been struck off into the stream, confirms this interpretation. The spot of ground where this sacrifice was made must be uncultivated, because it was considered as a sacrifice for the atonement of murder, and, consequently, would pollute the land.
break the ... neck <06202> [shall strike.]
Lord <03068> [for them.]
<06310> [by their word.]
<06310> [word. Heb. mouth.]
wash ... hands <03027 07364> [wash their hands.]
Washing the hands was anciently a symbolical action, denoting that the person was innocent of the crime in question.
accountable ....... innocent <05414 05355> [lay not.]
people .................... person <05971> [unto thy people. Heb. in the midst.]
purge <01197> [shalt thou.]
do <06213> [when thou shalt.]
out <03318> [thou goest.]
wish <02836> [desire.]
take <03947> [that.]
shave <01548> [and she shall.]
This was in token of renouncing her religion, and becoming a proselyte to that of the Jews. This is still a custom in the East: when a Christian turns Mohammedan, his head is shaved, and he is carried through the city, crying, {la eelah eela allah wemochammed resoolu 'llahee,} "There is no God but the God, and Mohammed is the prophet of God."
nails <06856 06213> [pare her nails. or, suffer to grow. Heb. make, or dress.]
{W‰ƒsethah eth tzipparneyha,} "and she shall make her nails;" i.e., probably neither paring nor letting them grow, but dressing or beautifying them as the Eastern women still do by tinging them with the leaves of an odoriferous plant called {alhenna,} which Hasselquist (p. 246) informs us, "grows in India and in upper and lower Egypt, flowering from May to August. The leaves are pulverized and made into a paste with water: they bind this paste on the nails of their hands and feet, and keep it on all night. This gives them a deep yellow, which is greatly admired by Eastern nations. The colour lasts for three or four weeks before there is occasion to renew it. The custom is so ancient in Egypt, that I have seen the nails of mummies dyed in this manner."
lamenting <01058> [and bewail.]
let ... go .......... sell ...... take advantage <07971 04376 06014> [thou shalt.]
have ... humiliated <0834 06031> [because thou.]
two wives <0802 08147> [two wives.]
give <05414> [by giving.]
has <04672> [that he hath. Heb. that is found with him. the beginning.]
right <04941> [the right.]
stubborn <05637> [have a stubborn.]
attention <06963 08085> [obey the voice.]
discipline <03256> [when they.]
attention <08085> [will not.]
bring <03318> [and bring.]
attention <08085> [he will not.]
glutton <02151> [he is a glutton.]
<0582> [all the men.]
purge <01197> [so shalt thou.]
Israel <03478> [all Israel.]
punishable by death <04941 04194> [worthy of death. Heb. of the judgment of death.]
The Hebrews understand this not of putting to death by hanging, but of hanging a man up after he was stoned to death; which was done more ignominiously of some heinous malefactors. We have the examples of Rechab and Baanah, who, for murdering Ish-bosheth, were slain by David's commandment, their hand and feet cut off, and then hanged up.
[See also]
So in Nu 25:4, we read, "And the Lord said unto Moses, Take all the heads (chief men) of the people, and hang them up before the Lord against the sun, that the fierce anger of the Lord may be turned away from Israel." Among the Romans, in after ages, they hanged, or rather fastened to the tree ALIVE; and such was the cruel death of our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. .# 19:6 22:26 1Sa 26:16 Mt 26:66 Ac 23:29 25:11,25 26:31
hang <08518> [thou hang.]
exposed ...... cursed ... God ............ God <07045 0430 08518> [he that is hanged is accursed of God. Heb. the curse of God.]
That is, it is the highest degree of reproach that can attach to a man, and proclaims him under the curse of God as much as any external punishment can. They that see him thus hanging between heaven and earth, will conclude him abandoned of both, and unworthy of either. Bp. Patrick observes, that this passage is applied to the death of Christ; not only because he bare our sins and was exposed to shame, as these malefactors were that were accursed of God, but because he was in the evening taken down from the cursed tree and buried, (and that by the particular care of the Jews, with an eye to this law, Joh 19:31,) in token, that now the guilt being removed, the law was satisfied, as it was when the malefactors had hanged till sun-set: it demanded no more. Then he, and those that are his, ceased to be a curse. And as the land of Israel was pure and clean when the body was buried, so the church is washed and cleansed by the complete satisfaction which Christ thus made.
land <0127> [thy land.]
see ............... return ... without fail <07200 07725> [Thou shalt.]
ignore ..... return ... without fail <05956 07725> [hide thyself.]
return <07725> [thou shalt restore.]
help ... get <06965> [thou shalt surely.]
woman ...... clothing ......... women's <0802 03627> [woman shall not.]
offensive <08441> [abomination.]
chicks ....... bird <0667> [young ones.]
take <03947> [thou shalt not]
be sure ... let .... go <07971> [But thou shalt.]
The extirpation of any species of birds, whether edible or birds of prey, is often attended with serious consequences, and is always productive of evil; to prevent which was the object of this law. Palestine is situated in a climate producing poisonous snakes and scorpions, and between deserts and mountains, from which it would be inundated by them, as well as with immense swarms of flies, locusts, and mice, if the birds which feed upon them were extirpated. In a moral point of view, it may have been intended to inculcate a spirit of mercy and kindness, and to prevent the exercise of cruelty even towards a sparrow; for he who is guilty of such cruelty will, if circumstances be favourable, be cruel to his fellow-creatures.
well <03190> [that it may.]
long <0748> [thou mayest.]
construct <06213> [then thou shalt.]
The eastern houses being built with flat roofs, which were used for various purposed, as walking, sleeping, etc., it was therefore necessary to have a sort of battlement, or balustrade, to prevent accidents, by people falling off.
roof <01406> [thy roof.]
avoid <07760> [thou bring.]
plant .................. plant <02232> [shalt not sow.]
[fruit of thy seed. Heb. fulness of thy seed.]
Two different species cannot associate comfortably together, nor pull pleasantly either in cart or plough; and the ass being lower than the ox, when yoked, he must bear the principal part of the weight.
tassels <01434> [fringes.]
corners <03671> [quarters. Heb. wings.]
never divorce <03201 07971> [he may not put.]
stone <05619 068> [stone her.]
done <06213> [she hath wrought.]
purge <01197> [shalt thou.]
stone <05619> [and ye shall stone.]
In these laws, the betrothed damsel was considered as the wife of the man to whom she was engaged, though they had not come together; and therefore the crime was adjudged adultery. But a charitable supposition is admitted in the damsel's favour, in case she was found in a solitary place.
violated <06031> [he hath humbled.]
purge <01197> [so thou shalt put.]
overpowered .... raped ...... rapist <02388 07901> [force her. or, take strong hold of her.]
<02399> [no sin.]
cried out <06817> [cried.]
violated <06031> [because he hath humbled.]
man .... marry <0376 03947> [a man shall.]
This is to be understood as referring to the case of a stepmother. A man in his old age may have married a young woman, and on his dying, his son by another, or a former wife, may desire to espouse her; which is here forbidden.
dishonor <01540> [discover.]
man <06481> [wounded.]
enter <0935> [shall not enter.]
It is evident that his law was not meant to exclude such Israelites either from the common benefits of civil society, or any essential religious advantages; but merely to lay them under a disgraceful distinction. This would tend to discourage parents from thus treating their children; a practice which was exceedingly common in those ages and countries. To this they were induced by the custom which prevailed, of employing such in the houses of the great and the courts of princes; so that they often rose to the highest posts of honour and authority. Some expositors therefore consider the phrase, "shall not enter into the congregation of the Lord," as meaning, that they should be incapable of bearing any office in that government which was placed over the people of God, who must thus enter a protest against this custom, and deliver selfish parents from this temptation.
Ammonite <05984> [Ammonite.]
These nations were subjected for their impiety, wickedness, and enmity to Israel, (ver. 4, 5,) to peculiar disgrace; and on this account were not permitted to hold any office among the Israelites. This did not, however, disqualify them from becoming proselytes; for Ruth, who was a Moabitess, was married to Boaz, and became one of the progenitors of our Lord.
meet <01697 06923> [Because they met.]
hired <07936> [because they hired.]
Lord .......... changed ......... Lord <03068> [Nevertheless.]
Lord .......... changed ......... Lord <03068> [because the.]
seek <01875> [Thou shalt.]
prosperity <02896> [prosperity. Heb. good.]
relative <0251> [he is thy.]
foreigner <01616> [because thou.]
enter ... assembly <0935 06951> [enter into.]
third generation <01755 07992> [third generation.]
evening <06153> [when evening.]
arrives <06437> [cometh on. Heb. turneth toward. wash himself.]
In such a vast camp as that of the Israelites, (See Notes on Nu ch. 1; 2,) and indeed, as Scheuchzer remarks, in every well regulated camp, cleanliness is considered as indispensably necessary.
relieve yourself outside <03427 02351> [wilt ease thyself. Heb. sittest down. cover that.]
walks <01980> [walketh.]
anything indecent <01697 06172> [unclean thing. Heb. nakedness of any thing.]
We cannot suppose that this law required the Israelites to entertain slaves who had robbed their masters, or left their service without cause; but such only as were cruelly treated, and fled to them for protection, especially from the neighbouring nations. To such they were commanded to afford shelter, and shew great kindness.
live <03427> [shall dwell.]
prefers <02896> [liketh him best. Heb. is good for him. thou shalt not.]
sacred prostitute <06948> [There shall be, etc.]
The prohibition in the text, like many others, has no direct application to practices that were common among the Israelites at that time; but was intended to guard them against the enormities which were practised among the surrounding nations.
sacred prostitute <06948> [whore. or, sodomitess.]
sacred male prostitute <06945> [sodomite.]
pay <0868> [hire.]
male prostitute <03611> [dog.]
vow <05088> [any vow.]
lend ..... a foreigner <05237> [a stranger.]
Lord <03068> [that the.]
vow <04161> [That which.]
vowed <05087> [hast vowed.]
eat <0398> [thou mayest.]
pluck <06998> [then thou mayest.]
<03947> [hath taken.]
offensive <06172> [uncleanness. Heb. matter of nakedness. then let him.]
divorce <03748> [divorcement. Heb. cutting off.]
evict ..... house <07971 01004> [send her.]
go <01980> [she may go.]
first <07223> [Her former.]
land <0776> [thou shalt.]
man <0376> [a man.]
obligated <05674> [neither, etc. Heb. not any thing shall pass upon him. cheer up.]
take ....... as security ......... taking ..... as security <02254> [shall take.]
Small hand-mills, which ground at one time only a sufficient quantity for a day's consumption; hence they were forbidden to take either of the stones to pledge, because if they did, they would be deprived of the means of preparing their necessary food, and the family be without bread. On this account they are called in the text, a man's life. The same reason holds good against receiving in pledge, or distraining for debt, any instrument of labour, by which men earn their livelihood.
life <05315> [life.]
found <04672> [found.]
kidnapper <01590> [then that.]
purge <01197> [and thou shalt.]
Remember <02142> [Remember.]
Miriam <04813> [Miriam.]
<05383> [When.]
loan .... neighbor <07453 03972 04859 05383> [lend thy brother any thing. Heb. lend the loan of any thing to thy brother.]
return <07725> [deliver.]
sunset <08121> [the sun.]
garment <08008> [in his own raiment.]
The raiment here referred to was most likely the same as the {hyke} of the Arabs, a long kind of blanket, resembling a Highland plaid, generally about six yards in length, and five or six feet broad; in which they often carry their provisions, as well as wrap themselves in, in the day, and sleep in at night, it being their only substitute for a bed. How necessary, then, it was to restore the {hyke} to a poor man before the going down of the sun, that he might have something to repose on, will sufficiently appear from these considerations.
just deed <06666> [shall be.]
day <03117> [At his.]
life depends <05315 05375> [setteth his heart upon it. Heb. lifteth his soul unto it.]
cry out <07121> [lest he.]
pervert <05186> [pervert.]
take ..... as security for a loan <02254> [nor take.]
reap <07114> [When thou.]
resident foreigner <01616> [it shall be.]
bless <01288> [may bless.]
repeat ... procedure <0310 06286> [go over the boughs again. Heb. bough it after thee.]
grapes <01219> [gatherest.]
<0310> [afterward. Heb. after thee.]
more ....... more <03254> [not exceed.]
view <07034> [vile unto thee.]
That is, be beaten so cruelly, that, by retaining the marks, he become contemptible in the eyes of his brethren. Amendment, and not this, was the object of the punishment. We should hate and despise the sin, but not the sinner.
muzzle <02629> [shalt not.]
In Judea, as well as in Egypt, Greece, and Italy, they made use of beeves to tread out the corn; and the same mode of threshing still obtains in Arabia, Barbary, and other eastern countries, to the present day. The sheaves lie open and expanded on the threshing floors, and the cattle continually move round them, and thus tread out the grain. The natives of Aleppo still religiously observe the ancient humane practice, inculcated by this law, of permitting the oxen to remain unmuzzled when treading out the corn.
muzzle <02629> [muzzle.]
<01778> [treadeth out. Heb. thresheth.]
brothers <0251> [brethren.]
husband's brother .............. brother-in-law <02993 02992> [husband's brother. or, next kinsman.]
first son <01060> [the first-born.]
name ......... name <08034> [that his name.]
[brother's wife. or, next kinsman's wife. go up.]
want ... marry <02654 03947> [I like not.]
sandal <05275 02502> [loose his shoe.]
Pulling off the shoe seems to express his being degraded to the situation of slaves, who generally went barefoot; and spitting in or rather before, (biphney) his face, was a mark of the utmost ignominy.
spit <03417> [spit.]
done <06213> [So shall.]
two men ............... involved ..... husband <0376 05337> [to deliver her husband.]
bag <03599> [in thy bag.]
stone weights <068> [divers weights. Heb. a stone and a stone.]
{Aivenw„aiven;} because weights were anciently made of stone. Hence the expression, a stone weight, which is still in use, though the matter of which it is made be lead or iron, and the name itself shews us that a stone of a certain weight was formerly used.
different measuring containers <0374> [divers measures. Heb. an ephah and an ephah.]
{Aiphah w„aiphah;} for this was the cost common measure among the Israelites, by which all the others were made and adjusted. They are not only forbidden to use divers weights and measures, one large or heavy to buy with, and another small and light to sell with, but they were not even allowed to keep such in the house. It is observable also, that these too common but dishonest actions are branded as "an abomination to the Lord," equally with idolatry, and other scandalous crimes.
life <03117> [that thy days.]
acts <06213> [all that do.]
unafraid <03373> [feared.]
Lord <03068> [when the.]
wipe out ............ forget <04229 07911> [thou shalt.]
