Genesis 25:1-4
[A.M. cir. 2151. B.C. cir. 1853.]
bore <03205> [A.M. cir. 2152. B.C. cir. 1852. she bare.]
[Zimri. Midian.]
Shuah <07744> [Shuah.]
Sheba <07614> [A.M. cir. 2180. B.C. cir. 1824. Sheba.]
Dedan ..... Dedan <01719> [Dedan.]
Asshurites <0805> [Asshurim.]
Ephah <05891> [A.M. cir. 2200. B.C. cir. 1804. Ephah.]
Numbers 31:2-12
vengeance <05358> [Avenge.]
Midianites <04084> [the Midianites.]
gathered <0622> [gathered.]
you ........... execute ... Lord's <03068 05414> [avenge the Lord.]
It was God's quarrel, not their own, that they were now to take up. These people were idolaters, and had seduced the Israelites to practise the same abominations. Idolatry is an offence against God; and the civil power has no authority to meddle with what belongs to Him, without especial directions, certified, as in this case, in the most unequivocal manner. Private revenge, ambition, or avarice were to have no place in this business: Jehovah is to be avenged; and through Him, the children of Israel, (ver. 2,) because they were nearly ruined by their idolatries. If Jehovah, instead of punishing sinners by earthquakes, pestilence, or famine,is pleased expressly to command any person or people to avenge his cause, this commission justifies, nay sanctifies, war, massacre, or devastation. Though none at present shew such a commission, yet the Israelites could; and it is therefore absurd to censure Moses, Joshua, and Israel, for the dreadful slaughter made by them. God himself passed sentence of condemnation, and employed them merely as ministers of his vengeance; and unless it could be proved that the criminals did not deserve their doom, or that God had no right to punish his rebellious creatures, such objectors only shew their enmity to God by becoming the unsolicited advocates of his enemies.
thousand men .... tribe ..... tribes <04294 0505> [Of every tribe a thousand. Heb. A thousand of a tribe, a thousand of a tribe. a thousand.]
thousand <0505> [a thousand.]
Twelve thousand in all--a small number in proportion to all Israel, or to the forces which they had to encounter. As they were under the conduct of captains of thousands and hundreds, they probably had no general; for Phinehas seems to have accompanied them simply to take charge of "the holy instruments;" probably the ark and silver trumpets.
Phinehas <06372> [Phinehas.]
holy articles <03627 06944> [the holy instruments.]
signal <08643> [to blow.]
male <02145> [all.]
male <02145> [the males.]
kings ................. kings <04428> [the kings.]
Zur <06698> [Zur.]
Balaam <01109> [Balaam.]
plains ... Moab <04124 06160> [the plains of Moab.]
Psalms 83:5-10
devise <03289> [For.]
strategy <03820> [consent. Heb. heart. they are.]
tents <0168> [The tabernacles.]
Tents are mentioned because it was the custom of these people, particularly the Ishmaelites, to live a migratory or wandering life; encamping sometimes in one place, and sometimes in another, as they found convenience for themselves and cattle; a custom retained by their descendants to the present day.
Edom <0123> [Edom.]
Hagrites <01905> [Hagarenes.]
[Hagarites.]
Gebal <01381> [Gebal.]
Assyria <0804> [Assur.]
Assur is the same in the original as Asshur, or Assyria.
[Asshur.]
strength <02220> [holpen. Heb. been an arm to.]
descendants <01121> [the children.]
Midian <04080> [as unto.]
Sisera <05516> [as to Sisera.]
Kishon <07028> [of Kison.]
The variations of Kison and Kishon only exists in the translation; the original being uniformly Kishon.
Endor <05874> [Endor.]
manure <01828> [as dung.]
