Deuteronomy 5:1--26:15
Israel ........ Israel <03478> [all Israel.]
Listen <08085> [Hear.]
be careful ... keep <08104 06213> [keep, and. Heb. keep to.]
Lord <03068> [I am the.]
brought <03318> [brought.]
slavery <05650> [bondage. Heb. servants.]
image <06459> [graven image.]
worship <07812> [shalt not.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
On the import of the word {yehowah,} which we translate Lord, see Note on Ex. 3:15. The word {elohim,} which is rendered God, in the singular, {eloah,} and in Arabic {allah,} is derived from the Arabic {alaha,} he worshipped, adored, was struck with astonishment, fear, or terror: and hence, he adored with sacred honour and veneration: it also signifies, he succoured, liberated, kept in safety, or defended. Here we learn that {elohim} denotes the sole object of adoration; the perfections of whose nature must astonish all who contemplate them, and fill with horror all who rebel against him; that consequently he must be worshipped with reverence and religious fear; and that every sincere worshipper may expect help in all his weaknesses, etc., freedom from the power, guilt, and consequences of sin, and support and defence to the uttermost.
jealous God <0410 07067> [a jealous God.]
punish <06485> [visiting.]
show <06213> [shewing.]
choose .... keep <0157 08104> [love me.]
Sabbath <07676> [the sabbath.]
foreigner <01616> [thy stranger.]
male slave ...................... male .... slaves <05650> [thy man-servant.]
Recall <02142> [remember.]
Lord ................. Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
strength <02389> [through.]
Honor <03513> [Honour.]
days <03117> [that thy days.]
things ............................. said ..... the words <01697> [These words.]
inscribed <03789> [he wrote.]
heard <08085> [we have heard.]
living <02425> [he liveth.]
intense <01419> [this great.]
hearing <08085> [hear. Heb. add to hear.]
human race <01320> [who is.]
It seems to have been a general opinion, that if God appeared to men, it was for the purpose of destroying them. And indeed most of the extraordinary manifestations of God were in the way of judgment; but here it was widely different. God did appear in a sovereign and extraordinary manner; but it was for the instruction, direction, deliverance, and support of his people. 1. They heard this voice speaking with them in a distinct, articulate manner. 2. They saw the fire, the symbol of his presence, the appearances of which demonstrated it to be supernatural. 3. Notwithstanding God appeared so terrible, yet no person was destroyed; for he came not to destroy but to save.
human race <01320> [all flesh.]
living <02416> [living.]
speaking ..... said ........... said ...... spoken well <0559 03190 01696> [they have well said all.]
The language of the original is emphatic: {Mee yittain wehayah levavom zeh lahem,} literally, "Who will give that there may be such a heart in them?" They refuse to receive such a heart from me, who then can supply it?
<02088> [O that there.]
obey <08104> [keep all:]
[that it might:]
careful <08104> [observe.]
turn <05493> [ye shall not.]
<03212> [walk.]
well <02895> [well.]
commandments <04687> [the commandments.]
headed <03423 05674> [go to possess it. Heb. pass over.]
revere <03372> [fear.]
children .... grandchildren <01121> [and thy son.]
days <03117> [thy days.]
careful <08104> [and observe.]
increase <07235> [that ye may.]
land <0776> [in the land.]
Israel, Jehovah, our God,is one Jehovah." On this passage the Jews lay great stress; and it is one of the four passages which they write on their phylacteries: On the word {Elohim,} Simeon Ben Joachi says: "Come and see the mystery of the word {Elohim:} there are three degrees, and each degree is by itself alone, and yet they are all one, and joined together in one, and are not divided from each other."
[the Lord,]
love <0157> [thou shalt.]
God ..... mind <0430 03824> [God with all.]
mind <03824> [shall be.]
teach <08150> [And thou shalt.]
teach <08150> [teach. Heb. whet, or sharpen. shalt talk.]
land <0776> [land.]
large <01419> [great.]
eat <0398> [when thou.]
slavery <05650> [bondage. Heb. bondmen, or servants.]
revere <03372> [fear.]
serve ..... oaths <05647 07650> [and serve him.]
Our Saviour quotes these words thus: "And him only [aut¢ mon¢,] shalt thou serve;" from which it would appear, that the word {levaddo} was anciently in the Hebrew text, as it was in the Septuagint, Coptic, Vulgate (illi soli), and Anglo-Saxon. Dr. Kennicott argues that without the word only, the text would not have conclusive for the purpose for which our Lord advanced it. It is proper, however, to observe, that the word {levaddo} is not found in any MS. yet collated, though retained in the above versions.
oaths <07650> [shalt swear.]
<03212> [not go.]
gods <0430> [of the gods.]
jealous <07067> [is a jealous.]
anger <0639> [lest.]
remove <08045> [destroy.]
put ........ test <05254> [tempt.]
put ........ test ...... Massah <05254 04532> [tempted him.]
Do <06213> [shalt do.]
well <03190> [that it may.]
children <01121> [when thy son.]
later <04279> [in time to come. Heb. to-morrow.]
Pharaoh's <06547> [We were.]
[See on]
powerful <02389> [with a mighty.]
<05414> [shewed.]
devastating ... on <07451> [sore. Heb. evil. before.]
land <05414 0776> [to give us.]
[See on]
revere <03372> [to fear.]
go well <02896> [for our good.]
preserve <02421> [he might.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
Hittites <02850> [the Hittites.]
With respect to the situation of these nations in the land of Canaan, Calmet remarks, that the Canaanites chiefly inhabited Phoenecia; the Hittites, the mountains south of the promised land; the Hivites, mount Ebal, and Gerizim, and towards Hermon; the Girgashites, beyond Jordan, towards the lake of Gennesareth, the Jebusistes, about Jerusalem; the Amorites, the mountains west of the Dead Sea, and part of the land of Moab; and that the Perizzites were probably not a distinct nation, but villagers scattered through the country.
many ................ numerous <07227> [greater.]
over <05414> [deliver.]
utterly annihilate <02763> [utterly.]
Make ... treaty <03772 01285> [make no.]
anger <0639> [so will.]
tear <05422> [destroy.]
sacred pillars ............ idols <04676 06456> [images. Heb. statues, or pillars.]
cut down <01438> [and cut.]
burn up <08313> [burn.]
holy <06918> [an holy.]
prized <05459> [to be a special.]
Lord <03068> [The Lord.]
numerous <07230> [ye were.]
his ....... faithfulness ............. Lord <03068 08104> [because.]
promise <07621> [oath.]
his ................... Lord .... out <03068 03318> [Lord brought.]
faithful <0539> [the faithful.]
keeps .......... keep <08104> [which keepeth.]
thousand <0505> [a thousand.]
pays ....................... repay <07999> [repayeth.]
ignore <0309> [slack.]
hate ............... hate <08130> [hateth.]
If <06118> [if. Heb. because.]
Lord <03068> [Lord.]
love <0157> [he will love.]
bless ......... bless <01288> [he will also.]
blessed <01288> [blessed.]
beyond ........ barrenness <06135> [male or.]
terrible ........... inflict ... on <07760 07451> [will put none.]
The Israelites, if obedient, would have been subject to no maladies but those common to fallen man, and generally very healthy and long lived; being exempted from pestilential diseases, which have often most tremendously scourged guilty nations; and from such maladies in particular, as they had witnessed in Egypt, by which God afflicted their cruel oppressors, (Ex 15:26.) This must be referred to the national covenant; for though godliness often secures the most solid temporal advantages, yet temporal blessings were not, even among them, uniformly dispensed to individuals according to their obedience; but they were to the nation, with an exactness which is not observed towards any other people.
terrible ........... inflict ... on <07760 07451> [will put none.]
destroy <0398> [consume.]
<05869> [thine eye.]
snare <04170> [for that will.]
<0559> [thou shalt.]
nations <01471> [These nations.]
fear <03372> [shalt not.]
must ... recall <02142> [remember.]
great <01419> [great.]
Lord <03068> [so shall.]
hornets <06880> [the hornet.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
great .... God <0410 01419> [a mighty God.]
expel <05394> [put out. Heb. pluck off. thou mayest.]
As the Israelites were not yet sufficiently numerous to fill the whole land occupied by these nations; and as wild and ferocious animals might be expected to multiply where the place was but thinly peopled, therefore God informs them that their extermination from before them should be gradual. Haynes says, "The approaching to Cana, at the close of the day, as we did, is at once terrifying and dangerous. The surrounding country swarms with wild beasts, such as tigers, leopards, jackals, etc., whose cries and howling, I doubt not, would strike the boldest traveller, who had not been frequently in a like situation, with the deepest sense of horror."
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
<06440> [unto thee. Heb. before thy face.]
<01949> [shall destroy.]
over <05414> [he shall.]
names <08034> [their name.]
Nobody <0376> [there shall.]
images <06456> [graven.]
covet <02530> [thou shalt.]
ensnared <03369> [snared.]
abhorrent <08441> [an abomination.]
bring ...................... detest ... abhor <0935 08262 08581> [shalt.]
<08262> [but thou shalt.]
Remember <02142> [remember.]
forty <03212 0705> [led thee.]
humbling <06031> [to humble.]
test ... to see if <05254 03045> [prove thee.]
to see if <03045> [to know.]
feeding ..... manna <0398 04478> [fed thee.]
humankind ... live <02421 0120> [doth.]
Many have attempted to give the following meaning to this text:--"God so amply provided for them all the necessaries of life, that they never were obliged to wear tattered garments, nor were their feet injured for lack of shoes or sandals." Now, though the Israelites doubtless brought out of Egypt more raiment than what they had upon them; and they might manufacture the fleeces of their flocks in the wilderness; and also might be favoured by Providence with other supplies from the neighbouring nations or travelling hordes of Arabs; yet, when we consider their immense numbers, their situation and long continuance in the wilderness, and the very strong expressions made use of in the text, why should we question the extraordinary and miraculous interposition of God in this respect, as well as in others, not less stupendous in their nature, or constant in their supply?
aware <03045> [consider.]
parent <0376> [as a man.]
<03212> [walk.]
wheat <02406> [wheat.]
barley <08184> [barley.]
vines <01612> [vines.]
olive trees <02132 08081> [oil olive. Heb. olive tree of oil.]
stones <068> [whose stones.]
eat <0398> [thou hast.]
praise <01288> [then thou.]
eat <0398> [Lest when.]
build <01129> [and hast built.]
self-important <03824> [thine heart.]
forget <07911> [thou forget.]
great <03212 01419> [led thee.]
serpents <05175 08314> [fiery serpents.]
<03318> [who brought.]
fed ..... desert <0398 04057> [fed thee.]
humbling ... test <06031 05254> [he might.]
good <03190> [to do thee.]
say <0559> [thou say.]
ability <03581> [My power.]
gives <05414> [he that.]
confirm <06965> [that he may.]
testify .... today <05749 03117> [I testify against.]
destroy <06> [so shall ye perish.]
cross <05674> [to pass.]
Today <03117> [this day.]
The Hebrew {hyyom,} "this day," frequently denotes, as here, this time. They had come, 38 years before this, nearly to the verge of the promised land, but were not permitted, because of their unbelief and rebellion, at that day or time, to enter; but this time they shall certainly pass over. This was spoken in the eleventh month of the fortieth year of their journeying; and it was on the first month of the following year they passed over: and during this interval Moses died.
nations <01471> [nations.]
cities <05892> [cities.]
<01419> [great.]
resist <03320> [Who can stand.]
Understand <03045> [Understand.]
goes <05674> [goeth over.]
devouring fire <0784 0398> [a consuming fire.]
defeat ... subdue <08045 03665> [he shall.]
think <0559 03824> [Speak not.]
because of the wickedness <07564> [for the wickedness.]
righteousness <06666> [Not for.]
Though the Canaanites were expelled for their wickedness, it does not follow, that the Israelites were established in their room on account of any distinguished virtue, or because they deserved it. On many occasions, it may be seen in the history of the world, that God punishes the wicked by the instrumentality of other men, who are as wicked as themselves. Not the Israelites' righteousness, but the wickedness of the inhabitants, and the promise of God to their fathers, was the cause of their obtaining Canaan.
confirm <06965> [that he may.]
Understand <03045> [Understand.]
give .... good <05414 02896> [giveth thee.]
Moses repeats this a third time, that, if it were possible, he might root out of the Israelites the opinion of their own deserts, before God rooted out the Canaanites from their country.
stubborn <06203> [a stiff-necked.]
Remember <02142> [Remember.]
In order to destroy the opinion which the Israelites had of their own righteousness, it was necessary to call to mind some of their most notorious provocations and rebellions, which Moses exhorts them to preserve in their mind, as a means to keep them humble.
from ... time <04480 03117> [from the day.]
Horeb <02722> [Also in Horeb.]
Or rather, "Even at Horeb," for there is a peculiar emphasis here, even there where they had lately received the law, attended with the most astonishing appearances and circumstances.
up <05927> [I was.]
tablets ... tablets <03871> [the tables.]
remained <03427> [then I.]
eating <0398> [I neither.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
written ..... finger <03789 0676> [written with.]
<01697> [all the words.]
tablets ... tablets .... covenant <03871 01285> [the tables of the covenant.]
Get <06965> [Arise.]
<07843> [corrupted.]
once ................. quickly <04118> [are quickly.]
<07200> [I have.]
stubborn <06203> [stiffnecked.]
Stand <07503> [Let me.]
obliterating <04229> [blot.]
make <06213> [and I will.]
turned <06437> [I turned.]
mountain ... it <02022> [the mount.]
looked <07200> [I looked.]
threw <07993 05921> [cast them.]
Moses might have done this through distress and anguish of spirit, on beholding their abominable idolatry and dissolute conduct; or probably he did it emblematically, and perhaps by the direction of God; intimating thereby, that as by this act of his the tables were broken in pieces, on which the Law of God was written, so they, by their present conduct, had made a breach in the covenant, and broken the laws of their Maker and Sovereign.
fell <05307> [I fell down.]
The transgressions of the people rendered this second forty days' fasting necessary to Moses. Their pardon was indeed in some sense obtained before he ascended the mount; yet probably much of the time which he spent there was employed in supplication: and when he descended the second time, with the tables of the law in his hands, the pardon was, as it were, ratified and sealed.
terrified <03025> [For I.]
Lord's .......... he <03068> [But the.]
took <03947> [I took.]
stream <05158> [the brook.]
This was the stream which flowed from the rock that Moses smote with his rod, (Ex 17:6,) and to which the Psalmist alludes in Ps 78:16-20; 105:41. Philo relates, that upon Moses' striking the rock, the water poured out like a torrent, affording not only a sufficient quantity for allaying their present thirst, but to fill their water vessels, to carry with them on their journey.
Taberah <08404> [Taberah.]
Massah <04532> [Massah.]
Kibroth-Hattaavah <06914> [Kibroth-hattaavah.]
he ....................... Lord <03068> [Likewise.]
rebelled <04784> [ye rebelled.]
believe <0539> [ye believed.]
prayed <06419> [prayed.]
valued property <05159> [thine inheritance.]
redeemed <06299> [which thou hast redeemed.]
out <03318> [which thou hast brought forth.]
Remember <02142> [Remember.]
ignore ... stubbornness <06437 07190> [look not.]
people <05971> [Yet they.]
brought out <03318> [which thou.]
Carve <06458> [Hew.]
make ...... ark <06213 0727> [make thee.]
put <07760> [thou shalt.]
made <06213> [I made.]
carved out <06458> [hewed.]
wrote <03789> [he wrote.]
ten <06235> [the ten.]
commandments <01697> [commandments. Heb. words. which.]
middle <08432> [out of the.]
time <03117> [in the day.]
turned <06437> [I turned.]
placed ... tablets <07760 03871> [put the.]
Lord <03068> [there they.]
traveled <05265> [took.]
Moserah <04149> [Mosera.]
[Moseroth, Hor-ha-gid-gad, Jotbathah. there Aaron.]
time ... Lord .............. Lord's ....... Lord <03068 06256> [time the Lord.]
carry <05375> [bear.]
stand <05975> [to stand.]
formulate <01288> [to bless.]
stayed <05975> [I stayed.]
first time ... days <03117 07223> [first time. or, former days. the Lord hearkened.]
Get <06965> [Arise.]
leading <03212 04550> [take thy. Heb. go in.]
<03068> [what doth.]
revere <03372> [fear.]
<03212> [to walk.]
love <0157> [love.]
serve <05647> [to serve.]
God ....................... mind <0430 03824> [God with all.]
good <02896> [for thy.]
heavens ..... heavens <08064> [the heaven.]
earth <0776> [the earth.]
cleanse <04135> [Circumcise.]
stubborn <06203> [stiff-necked.]
God ... God ... gods ........... God <0430 0410> [God of gods.]
lords <0113> [Lord of lords.]
great <01419> [a great.]
unbiased <05375> [regardeth.]
justly <06213> [doth.]
loves <0157> [loveth.]
Revere <03372> [fear.]
loyal <01692> [cleave.]
oaths <07650> [swear.]
praise <08416> [thy praise.]
done <06213> [that hath.]
seventy <07657> [with threescore.]
And now, from so small a beginning, they are multiplied to more than 600,000 men, besides women and children; and this, indeed, in the space of 40 years; for the 603,000 which came out of Egypt were at this time all dead, except Moses, Joshua, and Caleb. How easy can God increase and multiply, as well as diminish and bring low! In all things, by his omnipotence, he can do whatsoever he will; and he will do whatsoever is right.
stars <03556> [as the stars.]
love <0157> [thou shalt.]
This verse is the practical improvement of the conclusion of the foregoing chapter; while the next verse begins another view of the subject.
do ..... keep <08104> [keep.]
statutes <02708> [his statutes.]
mind ............... experienced <03045> [And know.]
Moses seems here to have addressed himself particularly to the elders, who had in their youth witnessed the wonderful works which Jehovah had wrought both for them and among them; and who were bound to remember them for their own warning, and testify them to the rising generation who had not been eye-witnesses.
judgments <04148> [the chastisement.]
greatness <01433> [his greatness.]
strength <02389> [his mighty.]
waters <04325> [how he made.]
did ... Dathan <06213 01885> [he did unto.]
[substance, or, living substance which followed them. in their possession. Heb. at their feet.]
attention <08104> [Therefore.]
strong <02388> [that ye may.]
long <0748> [prolong.]
promised <07650> [sware.]
land <0776> [a land.]
irrigated ... hand <07272 08248> [wateredst it with thy foot.]
Rain seldom falls in Egypt; the land being chiefly watered by the inundations of the Nile. In order to water the grounds where the inundations do not extend, water is collected in ponds, and directed in streamlets to the different parts of the field where irrigation is necessary. It is no unusual thing in the East to see a man, with a small mattock, making a little trench for the water to run into; and, as he opens the passage, the water following, he uses his foot to raise up the mould against the side of this little channel, to prevent the water from being shed unnecessarily, before it reaches the place of its destination. Hence he may justly be said to water the ground with his foot.
looks after <01875> [careth for. Heb. seeketh. the eyes.]
pay close attention <08085> [diligently.]
love <0157> [to love.]
provide <05414> [And I will.]
provide <05414> [send. Heb. give. eat and be full.]
<08104> [Take heed.]
<03824> [your heart.]
serve <05647> [and serve.]
Lord ...................................... Lord <03068> [the Lord's.]
close up <06113> [shut up.]
removed <06> [ye perish.]
Fix <07760> [ye lay up.]
reminder <0226> [a sign.]
days ........................ days <03117> [your days.]
days ........................ days <03117> [as the days.]
carefully observe <08104> [if ye shall.]
love <0157> [to love.]
loyal <01692> [to cleave.]
<0376> [There shall.]
promised <01696> [as he hath.]
pronounce ... blessing <01293 05414> [put the blessing.]
Gerizim <01630> [Gerizim.]
Gerizim and Ebal, mountains west of Jordan, and in the tribe of Ephraim, are opposite, or parallel to each other, extending from east to west; mount Gerizim being on the south, and mount Ebal on the north. They are separated by the beautiful valley in which Shechem or Nablous is situated, which is only about 200 paces in width. Both mountains are much alike in length, height, and figure; being about a league in length, in the form of a semicircle, and so steep, on the side of Shechem, that there is scarcely any shelving: their altitude appeared to Mr. Buckingham nearly equal, not exceeding 700 or 800 feet from the level of the valley, which is itself elevated. But though they resemble each other in these particulars, yet in another they are very dissimilar; for, says Maundrell, "though neither of the mountains has much to boast of as to its pleasantness, yet, as one passes between them, Gerizim seems to discover a somewhat more verdant, fruitful aspect then Ebal: the reason of which may be, because fronting towards the north, it is sheltered from the heat of the sun by its own shade; whereas Ebal, looking southward, and receiving the sun that comes directly upon it, must by consequence be rendered more scorched and unfruitful." A LIST OF THE MOST FAMOUS MOUNTAINS NAMED IN SCRIPTURE Amalek, in the tribe of Ephraim. Jud 12:15. Calvary, near Jerusalem. Lu 23:33. Carmel, near the Mediterranean. Jos 19:26 Ebal, near to Gerizim. Jos 8:30. En-gedi, near the Dead Sea. Jos 15:62. Gaash, in the tribe of Ephraim. Jos 24:30. Gilboa, south of the valley of Israel. 2 Sa 1:21. Gilead, beyond Jordan. Ge 31:21-25 Gerizim, on which afterwards stood a temple of the Samaritans. Jud 9:7. Hermon, beyond Jordan. Jos 11:3. Hor, in Idum‘a. Nu 20:22. Horeb, in Arabia Petr‘a, near to Sinai. De 1:2. Lebanon, separates Syria from Palestine. De 3:25. Moriah, where the temple was built. 2 Ch 3:1. Nebo, part of the mountains of Abarim. Nu 32:3. Olives, east of Jerusalem, divided only by brook Kidron. 1 Ki 11:1, 7. 2 Ki 23:13. Ac 1:12. Paran, in Arabia Petr‘a. Ge 14:6. De 1:1. Pisgah, beyond Jordan. Nu 21:20. De 34:1. Seir, in Idum‘. Ge 14:6. Sinai, in Arabia Petr‘a. Ex 19:2. De 33:2. Sion, near to mount Moriah. 2 Sa 5:7. Tabor, in the Lower Galilee. Jud 4:6.
Gilgal <01537> [Gilgal.]
[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.]
take <03947> [That thou shalt.]
go .... place <01980 04725> [go unto.]
priest <03548> [the priest.]
Lord ............. Lord <03068> [which the.]
before ... altar <06440 04196> [before the.]
Aramean <0761> [A Syrian.]
Jacob being called a Syrian from his long residence in Padan-aram.
wandering <06> [ready.]
went down <03381> [he went down.]
few ... number <04592> [a few.]
people <01471> [became.]
cried out <06817> [we cried.]
saw <07200> [looked.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
great <01419> [with great.]
brought <0935> [he hath.]
land ... land <0776> [a land.]
brought <0935> [I have.]
set <03240> [And thou.]
worship <07812> [and worship.]
<08055> [rejoice.]
Levites <03881> [the Levite.]
tithing <04643> [the tithes.]
third <07992> [the third.]
give ..... Levites <05414 03881> [hast given it.]
Levites <03881> [Levite.]
violated <05674> [I have not.]
forgotten <07911> [forgotten.]
eaten <0398> [eaten.]
dead <04191> [the dead.]
Look <08259> [Look down.]
bless ... people <01288 05971> [bless thy.]
promised <07650> [as thou.]
