Judges 3:1--16:31
nations <01471> [A.M. 2561. B.C. 1443. An. Ex. Is. 48. the nations.]
test <05254> [prove.]
experienced <03045> [as had not.]
experienced <03045> [might know.]
teach <03925> [to teach.]
Their fathers fought by a divine power. God taught their hands to war and their fingers to fight, that they might be the instruments of destruction to the wicked nations on whom the curse rested; but now that they had forfeited His favour, they must learn what it is to fight like other men.
five lords <05633 02568> [five lords.]
Canaanites <03669> [Canaanites.]
Sidonians <06722> [Sidonians.]
Mount .... Mount <02022> [in mount.]
test <05254> [to prove.]
lived <03427> [dwelt.]
Canaanites <03669> [Canaanites.]
did evil <06213 07451> [did evil.]
Asherahs <0842> [the groves.]
furious <02734> [A.M. 2591. B.C. 1413. An. Ex. Is. 78. was hot.]
turned ... over <04376> [he sold.]
Cushan-Rishathaim ...... Cushan-Rishathaim's <03573> [Chushan-rishathaim.]
Aram-Naharaim <0763> [Mesopotamia. Heb. Aram-naharaim.]
{Aram-naharayim,} "Syria of the two rivers," or Mesopotamia, "between the rivers," is a famous province situated between the Tigris and Euphrates. It is called by Arabian geographers, {Maverannaher,} "the country beyond the river;" and is now called Diarbek.
cried <02199> [A.M. 2599. B.C. 1405. An. Ex. Is. 86. cried.]
raised <06965> [raised up.]
deliverer ...... rescued <03467> [deliverer. Heb. saviour. Othniel.]
spirit <07307> [the Spirit.]
led <08199> [came. Heb. was. Mesopotamia. Heb. Aram.]
land <0776> [the land.]
Othniel <06274> [Othniel.]
did evil ................... done evil <06213 07451> [A.M. 2662. B.C. 1342. An. Ex. Is. 148. did evil.]
Lord's .... Lord ................. Lord's <03068> [and the Lord.]
King <04428> [the king.]
Ammonites <05983> [Ammon.]
City <05892> [the city.]
subject <05647> [served.]
cried out ...... Lord he <02199 03068> [A.M. 2679. B.C. 1325. An. Ex. Is. 166. cried unto.]
Benjaminite <01145> [a Benjamite. or, the son of Jemini. left-handed. Heb. shut of his right hand.]
This Hebrew phrase intimates that, either through disease or disuse, he made little or no use of the right hand, but of his left only, and so was the less fit for war, because he would most likely wield a dagger awkwardly: yet God chose this left-handed man to be the minister of his retributive justice. It was God's right hand that gained Israel the victory, Ps 44:3; not the right hand of the instruments he employed.
sent .......... tribute payment <07971 04503> [sent a present.]
two edges <06366 08147> [two edges.]
right <03225> [upon.]
very fat <01277 03966> [a very fat.]
carved images <06456> [quarries. or graven images.]
secret <05643> [a secret.]
attendants <05975> [And all that.]
well-ventilated upper room <05944 04747> [a summer parlour. Heb. a parlour of cooling.]
The {ƒleeyah,} or upper chamber, seems to have been of the same description as the {ol‰ah} of the Arabs, but properly ventilated, described by Dr. Shaw, who says, that to most of their houses there is a smaller one annexed, which sometimes rises one story higher than the house; at other times, it consists of one or two rooms only, and a terrace; while others that are built, as they frequently are, over the porch or gateway, have, if we except the ground floor, which they want, all the conveniences that belong to the house itself. There is a door of communication from them into the gallery of the house; besides another, which opens immediately from a private staircase, down into the porch or street, without giving the least disturbance to the house. In these back houses strangers are usually lodged and entertained; and to them likewise the men are wont to retire from the noise and hurry of their families, to be more at leisure for mediation or diversions.
message <01697> [I have.]
rose up <06965> [he arose.]
drove ..... belly <08628 0990> [thrust it.]
<03318 06574> [the dirt came out. or, it came out at the fundament.]
relieving <05526> [covereth, etc. or, doeth his easement.]
carved images <06456> [the quarries.]
blew <08628> [he blew.]
hill country .......... hill country <02022> [mountain.]
them <07291> [Follow.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
fords <04569> [the fords.]
strong capable <08082> [lusty. Heb. fat.]
land <0776> [And the land.]
Shamgar <08044> [Shamgar.]
oxgoad <04451 01241> [an ox goad.]
This implement, Mr. Maundrell informs us, in Palestine and Syria is of an extraordinary size. He measured several, and "found them about eight feet long; and at the bigger end about six inches in circumference. They were armed at the lesser end with a sharp prickle for driving the oxen; and at the other end with a small paddle of iron, strong and massive, for cleansing the plough from the clay. In the hand of a powerful man such an instrument must be more dangerous and fatal than a sword."
delivered <03467> [also.]
Israel <03478> [Israel.]
"So part is called Israel."
"It seems to concern only the country next to the Philistines."
did evil <06213 07451> [A.M. 2699. B.C. 1305. An. Ex. Is. 186. did evil.]
turned ... over <04376> [sold.]
"It seems to concern only north Israel."
Hazor <02674> [Hazor.]
Sisera <05516> [Sisera.]
Harosheth Haggoyim <02800> [Harosheth.]
cried out <06817> [cried.]
chariots <07393> [chariots.]
cruelly <02394> [mightily.]
[A.M. 2719. B.C. 1285. An. Ex. Is. 206.]
Palm Tree <08560> [the palm.]
Ramah <07414> [between.]
come up <05927> [came up.]
Barak <01301> [Barak.]
Kedesh <06943> [Kedesh-naphtali.]
Lord <03068> [Hath.]
Tabor <08396> [Tabor.]
ten thousand <0505 06235> [ten thousand.]
I ... bring <04900 05414> [And I.]
Kishon <07028> [Kishon.]
<05414> [deliver.]
<0657> [notwithstanding.]
turn Sisera over <05516 04376> [sell Sisera.]
<03027> [into.]
Zebulun <02074> [Zebulun.]
followed <07272> [at his.]
Heber <02268> [Heber.]
Hobab <02246> [Hobab.]
Zaanannim <06815> [Zaanaim.]
[Zaanannim. Kedesh.]
Mount Tabor <08396 02022> [mount Tabor.]
ordered <02199> [gathered. Heb. gathered by cry, or proclamation. nine.]
chariotry .... chariots ... iron-rimmed <07393 01270> [chariots of iron.]
Probably chariots armed with iron scythes, projecting from the axle on each side, by which the infantry might be easily cut down or thrown into confusion. The ancient Britons are said to have had such chariots.
action <06965> [Up.]
day <03117> [for this.]
This is exactly the purpose for which the Septuagint states, ver. 8, that Barak wished Deborah to accompany him: "Because I know not the day in which God will send his angel to give me prosperity."
Lord .......... Lord <03068> [is not.]
Mount <02022> [mount.]
Mount Tabor, called by the Arabs Djebel Tour, is almost entirely insulated, and rises up in the plain of Esdraelon, about six miles from Nazareth, in a conical form, somewhat like a sugar-loaf. Josephus states its height to be thirty stadia, with a plain of 26 stadia in circumference on its top, on which was formerly a city, which was used as a military post. It is described as an exceedingly beautiful mountain, having a rich soil, producing excellent herbage, and adorned with groves and clumps of trees.
chased <07291> [pursued.]
one <0259> [there.]
one survived <07604 0259> [a man left. Heb. unto one.]
ran <05127> [fled.]
Jael <03278> [Jael.]
peace <07965> [peace.]
Jael <03278> [Jael.]
blanket <08063> [mantle. or, rug, or blanket.]
little <04592> [Give me.]
there <03426> [Is there.]
tent peg .................. tent peg <03489> [a nail.]
One of the spikes of the tent. See Note on Ex 35:18.
<07760> [and took. Heb. and put. smote.]
died <04191> [he died.]
show <07200> [and I will.]
<03212> [prospered, etc. Heb. going, went and was hard against.]
Deborah ....... sang <01683 07891> [Sang Deborah.]
This verse briefly recites the subject of this inspired song, which consists of eight stanzas: The first opens with a devout thanksgiving. The second describes the magnificent scenes at Mount Sinai, etc. The third states the apostasy and consequent punishment of the Israelites. The fourth contrasts their present happy state. The fifth censures the recreant tribes of Reuben, Gad, etc. The sixth records the defeat of the confederate kings of Canaan. The seventh contains a panegyric on Jael. And the eight describes the fond anticipations and disappointment of the mother of Sisera.
<06544> [for the avenging.]
people <05971> [when.]
kings <04428> [O ye kings.]
[I, even I.]
Lord <03068> [Lord.]
earth <0776> [the earth.]
poured ..... poured <05197> [dropped.]
mountains <02022> [mountains.]
trembled <05140> [melted. Heb. flowed. that Sinai.]
Shamgar <08044> [Shamgar.]
Jael <03278> [Jael.]
caravans .......... roads <0734> [the highways.]
travelers .... go <01980> [travellers. Heb. walkers of paths. by-ways. Heb. crooked ways.]
Warriors <06520> [the villages.]
motherly <0517> [a mother.]
God ... new <02319 0430> [new gods.]
shield <04043> [was there.]
leaders <05068> [offered.]
pay attention <07878> [Speak. or, Meditate.]
ride on <07392> [ride.]
sit <03427> [ye that sit.]
sound <06963> [the noise.]
watering places <04857> [in the places.]
Dr. Shaw mentions a beautiful rill of water in Barbary, which runs into a large bason, called {shrub we krub,} "drink and be off," because of the danger of meeting with robbers and assassins in this place, who fall upon those who come to drink.
victorious deeds ... victorious deeds <06666> [righteous acts. Heb. righteousnesses.]
warriors <06520> [villages.]
went down <03381> [go down.]
Wake up wake up Deborah Wake up wake up <05782 01683> [awake, Deborah.]
prisoners <07628> [lead.]
survivors <08300> [he made.]
Lord's <03068> [the Lord.]
Ephraim <0669> [of Ephraim.]
Amalek <06002> [Amalek.]
follow <0310> [after.]
Makir <04353> [Machir.]
march carrying .... staff <07626 04900> [handle the pen. Heb. draw with the pen.]
leaders <08269> [the princes.]
Barak <01301> [Barak.]
command <07272> [foot. Heb. his feet.]
{Beraglaiv,} rather, "with his footmen:" so LXX. Alex. [pkzous autou,] and Luther, {mit feinem Fubvolt.}
<06390> [For the. or, In the divisions, etc.]
searching <02711> [thoughts. Heb. impressions.]
sheepfolds <04942> [sheepfolds.]
<06390> [For. or, In.]
intense <01419> [great.]
Gilead <01568> [Gilead.]
Asher <0836> [Asher.]
seacoast <02348 03220> [sea shore. or, sea-port. breaches. or, creeks.]
Zebulun <02074> [Zebulun.]
concerned <02778> [jeoparded. Heb. exposed to reproach. their lives.]
battlefields <04791> [in the high.]
Kings ...... kings <04428> [kings.]
Taanach <08590> [Taanach.]
took <03947> [they took.]
fought ......... fought <03898> [fought.]
stars <03556> [the stars.]
paths <04546> [courses. Heb. paths.]
Kishon ........... Kishon <07028> [Kishon.]
necks <05315> [O my soul.]
hooves <06119> [horsehoofs.]
Anciently, horses were not shod; nor are they at the present day in some parts of the East. The flight was so rapid that the hoofs of their horses were splintered and broken by the roughness of the roads; in consequence of which they became lame, and could not carry off their riders.
galloped madly <01726> [pransings. or, tramplings, or, plungings. mighty ones.]
Or, as Dr. Waterland renders, "mighty horses," or "strong steeds," as Dr. Kennicott, i.e., their war-horses, which gives great energy to the text, and renders it perfectly intelligible.
Call judgment down on Meroz ........ sure ... call judgment down on <0779 04789> [Curse ye.]
Meroz <04789> [Meroz.]
This city of Meroz seems to have been, at this time, a place of considerable importance, since something great was expected from it; but probably, after the angel of the Lord had pronounced this curse, it dwindled and like the fig-tree which Christ cursed, withered away; so that we never read of it after this in Scripture.
messenger <04397> [the angel.]
come <0935> [they came.]
help ....... help <05833> [to the help.]
asked <07592> [asked.]
curds <02529> [butter.]
{Chemah,} may signify buttermilk, which is made by the Arabs by agitating the milk in a leathern bag; and is highly esteemed because of its refreshing and cooling qualities.
hammered <01986> [with the. Heb. She hammered. she smote off.]
Or rather, "she smote his head, then she struck through and pierced his temples:" which is more consonant to the original, and to fact, as it does not appear that she smote off his head.
feet ............ feet <07272> [At. Heb. Between. where.]
violently murdered <07703> [dead. Heb. destroyed.]
lattice <0822> [through.]
chariot <07393> [Why is.]
<0561> [answer. Heb. her words.]
gathering <04672> [Have they not sped.]
each man <01397 07218> [every man. Heb. the head of a man. of divers.]
enemies <0341> [So let.]
love <0157> [them that.]
rising sun <08121> [the sun.]
land <0776> [And the land.]
The victory here celebrated in this song, was of such happy consequence to Israel, that for the principal part of one age, they enjoyed the peace to which it had been the means of opening the way. The land had rest forty years, that is, so long it was from this victory to the raising up of Gideon. And well would it have been for the Israelites, if while the tribes had rest, they had taken advantage of the cessation from war, and had walked in the fear of the Lord.
did evil <06213 07451> [did evil.]
so <05414> [delivered.]
When God judges, he will overcome; and sinners shall be made either to bend or break before him. See the ensuing history.
Midian <04080> [Midian.]
<03027> [the hand.]
overwhelmed <05810> [prevailed. Heb. was strong. dens.]
Dr. Shaw says, that a great way on each side Joppa, on the sea coast, there is a range of mountains and precipices; and in these high situations are generally found the dens, holes, or caves, which are so frequently mentioned in Scripture; and which were formerly the lonesome retreats of the distressed Israelites.
Israelites <03478> [when Israel.]
Amalekites <06002> [Amalekites.]
people <01121> [children.]
devoured <07843> [destroyed.]
<0935> [till thou come.]
The Midianites dwelt beyond the eastern borders of the land of Canaan, east of the Dead Sea, and Gaza was on the Mediterranean, on the west: so that these invaders ravaged the whole breadth of the land.
sheep <07716> [sheep. or, goat.]
tents <0168> [tents.]
locusts <01767 0697> [as grasshoppers.]
camels <01581> [their camels.]
devour <07843> [to destroy.]
weakened <01809> [impoverished.]
cried out <02199> [cried.]
<0376> [A.M. 2759. B.C. 1245. An. Ex. Is. 246. a prophet. Heb. a man, a prophet. Thus saith.]
drove <01644> [drave them.]
Lord <03068> [I am the.]
God .... worship ... gods <03372 0430> [fear not.]
disobeyed <08085> [ye have.]
messenger <04397> [an angel.]
Abiezrite <033> [Abi-ezrite.]
Gideon <01439> [Gideon.]
[Gedeon. hide it . Heb. cause it to flee.]
messenger <04397> [the angel.]
Lord's ......... Lord <03068> [The Lord.]
Lord is ......................... Lord ........... Lord <03426 03068> [if the Lord.]
overtaken <04672> [why then.]
ancestors <01> [our fathers.]
abandoned .... handed ... over <05203 05414> [forsaken us.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
strength <03212 03581> [Go in.]
how <04100> [wherewith.]
clan .... weakest <01800 0504> [my family is poor. Heb. my thousand is the meanest.]
youngest <06810> [the least.]
pleased <04672> [If now.]
give <06213> [shew.]
<03318> [bring.]
gift <04503> [present. or, meat offering.]
prepared <06213> [and made.]
Dr. Shaw observes, "Besides a bowl of milk, and a basket of figs, raisins, or dates, which upon our arrival were presented to us, to stay our appetite, the master of the tent fetched us from his flock, according to the number of our company, a kid or a goat, a lamb or a sheep; half of which was immediately seethed by his wife, and served up with {cucasoe;} the rest was made {kab-ab,} i.e., cut to pieces and roasted, which we reserved for our breakfast or dinner next day." May we not suppose, says Mr. Harmer, that Gideon presented some slight refreshment to the supposed prophet, according to the present Arab mode, and desired him to stay till he could provide something more substantial; that he immediately killed a kid, seethed a part of it, and when ready brought the stewed meat in a pot, with unleavened cakes of bread, which he had baked; and the other part, the {kab-ab,} in a basket for him to carry with him, for some after repast in his journey?
goat <05795> [a kid. Heb. a kid of the goats. unleavened cakes.]
this <03240 01975> [lay them.]
pour out .... Gideon <08210> [pour out.]
flared up <05927> [rose up.]
realized ................ seen <07200> [perceived.]
have <03651> [because.]
safe ..... afraid <07965 03372> [Peace be.]
built <01129> [built.]
<03073> [Jehovah-shalom. that is, The Lord send peace.]
Ophrah <06084> [Ophrah.]
Take ...... father's .................. father's <01 03947> [Take thy father's.]
second <08145> [even. or, and. throw.]
father's .................. father's <01> [thy father.]
cut down <03772> [cut down.]
build <01129> [build.]
stronghold <04581> [rock. Heb. strong place. the ordered place. or, an orderly manner.]
did ........................ do ...... so ... waited <06213> [and did.]
did ........................ do ...... so ... waited ... nighttime <06213 03915> [he did it.]
Bring out <03318> [Bring.]
battles .......................... battles <07378> [Will ye plead.]
The words are very emphatic: "Will ye plead in earnest ({tereevoon}) for Baal? Will ye really save ({tosheeoon}) him? If he be God, ({Elohim,}) let him contend for himself, seeing his altar is thrown down."
die <04191> [let him be.]
god <0430> [if he be.]
Jerub-Baal <03378> [Jerubbaal. that is, Let Baal plead.]
[Jerubbesheth: that is, Let the shameful thing plead.]
Midianites <04080> [Then all.]
people <01121> [children.]
crossed <05674> [went over.]
Valley <06010> [the valley.]
spirit <07307> [the Spirit.]
control ... Gideon <03847 01439> [came upon. Heb. clothed.]
blew <08628> [blew.]
Abiezrites <044> [Abi-ezer.]
summoning <02199> [was gathered. Heb. was called.]
messengers ............... messengers <04397> [messengers.]
really <03426> [If thou wilt.]
putting <03322> [Behold.]
dry <02721> [only.]
bowl <05602> [a bowl.]
angry <0639> [Let not thine.]
dry <02721> [dry.]
Jerub-Baal <03378> [Jerubbaal.]
It appears that Jerubbaal had now become the surname of Gideon. He is mentioned by Sanchoniathon, quoted by Eusebius, who lived in the reign of Ithobal, king of Tyre, and consequently a little after the time of Gideon, by the name of Jerombalus, a priest of Jeuo or Jao.
got up <07925> [rose up.]
Moreh <04176> [Moreh.]
many <07227> [too many.]
Israel <03478> [Israel.]
over <03027> [Mine own.]
fear <03373> [Whosoever.]
Mount Gilead <01568 02022> [mount Gilead.]
Gideon was certainly not at mount Gilead, east of Jordan at this time; but rather near mount Gilboa, west of Jordan. Calmet thinks there must either have been two Gileads, which does not appear from Scripture to have been the case, or that the Hebrew text is corrupt, and that for Gilead we should read Gilboa. This reading, though adopted by Houbigant, is not confirmed by an MS. or version. Dr. Hales endeavours to reconcile the whole, by the supposition that in Gideon's army there were many eastern Manassites from mount Gilead, near the Midianites; and therefore proposes to read, "Whosoever from mount Gilead is fearful and afraid, let him return (home) and depart early."
Twenty-two <06242> [twenty.]
men <05971> [people.]
ranks <06884> [I will.]
lap ....... laps <03952> [lappeth.]
The original word {yalok,} is precisely the sound which the dog makes in lapping. It appears that it is not unusual for the Arabs to drink water out of the palms of their hands; and, from this account, we learn that the Israelites did so occasionally. Dr. A. Clarke, in his edition of Harmer, has presented us with the following curious MS. note from Dr. Russell. "When they take water with the palms of their hands, they naturally place themselves on their hams, to be nearer the water; but when they drink from a pitcher or gourd, fresh filled, they do not sit down on purpose to drink, but drink standing, and very often put the sleeve of their shirt over the mouth of the vessel, by way of strainer, lest small leeches might have been taken up with the water. For the same reason they often prefer taking the water with the palm of the hand to lapping it from the surface." From the letters of Busbequius we learn, that the Eastern people are not in the habit of drinking standing. The 300 men, who satisfied their thirst in the most expeditious manner, by this sufficiently indicated their spirit, and alacrity to follow Gideon in his dangerous enterprise; while the rest shewed their love of ease, self-indulgence, effeminacy, and want of courage.
trumpets <07782> [trumpets.]
valley <06010> [in the valley.]
night <03915> [the same.]
Get <06965> [Arise.]
handing <05414> [I have delivered.]
listen <08085> [thou shalt.]
brave <03027> [thine hands.]
sentries were guarding <02571> [armed men. or, ranks by five.]
Midianites <04080> [the Midianites.]
locusts <0697> [grasshoppers.]
cake <06742> [lo, a cake.]
other <07453> [his fellow.]
handing <03027> [into his hand.]
interpretation ... praised <07667 07812> [interpretation thereof. Heb. breaking thereof.]
praised <07812> [worshipped.]
Get up <06965> [Arise.]
three ..... three units <07218 07969> [three companies.]
This small number of men, thus divided, would be able to encompass the whole camp of the Midianites. Concealing the lamps in the pitchers, they would pass unobserved to their appointed stations; then, in the dead of the night, when most of the enemy were fast asleep, all at once breaking their pitchers one against another, with as much noise as they could, and blowing the trumpets and shouting; they would occasion an exceedingly great alarm. The obedience of faith alone could have induced such an expedient, which no doubt God directed Gideon to employ.--Scott.
trumpets <07782> [a trumpet. Heb. trumpets in the hand of all of them. empty.]
torches <03940> [lamps. or, fire-brands, or torches.]
When ......... blow our trumpets .... blow <08628 07782> [blow ye.]
Lord <03068> [the sword.]
The word {cherev,} "sword," necessarily implied, and rightly supplied by our venerable translators from ver. 20, is found in this place, in the Chaldee, Syriac, and Arabic, and in eight MSS.; and evidently appears to be genuine.
beginning <07218> [in the beginning.]
blew <08628> [they blew.]
broke <05310> [brake.]
blew ..................... right <08628> [blew.]
How astonishing and overwhelming must the effect be, in a dark night, of the sudden glare of 300 torches, darting their splendour in the same instant on the half-awakened eyes of the terrified Midianites; accompanied with the clangor of 300 trumpets, alternately mingled with the thundering shout of {cherav yehovah oolegidon,} "The sword of Jehovah and of Gideon!"
broke <07665> [brake.]
stood <05975> [stood.]
camp .... army <04264> [all the host.]
blew <08628> [blew.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
Zererah <06888> [in. or, toward. Zererath.]
Probably the same as Zartanah.
border <08193> [border. Heb. lip. Abelmeholah.]
Situated, according to Eusebius 16 miles south from Scythopolis, or Bethshan.
Tabbath <02888> [Tabbath.]
Probably the town of [O‚b‚d,] mentioned by Eusebius, 13 miles from Neapolis, or Shechem, towards Scythopolis.
sent <07971> [sent.]
Take control .... fords of the streams ................... took control .... fords <03920 04325> [take before.]
Beth Barah ...................... Beth Barah <01012> [Beth-barah.]
Probably the same as Betha-bara, beyond Jordan, and at the ford where the Hebrews passed under the direction of Joshua.
two ... generals <08147 08269> [two princes.]
rock <06697> [rock.]
Oreb ...... Oreb ...... Oreb .................. Oreb <06159> [Oreb.]
Eusebius and Jerome speak of a small place called Araba, three miles west from Scythopolis, which is supposed by some to have had its name from Oreb.
brought <0935> [and brought.]
Among ancient nations, the head of the conquered chief was usually brought to the conqueror. Thus Pompey's head was brought to C‘sar, Cicero's head to Mark Anthony, and the heads of Ahab's children to Jehu. These barbarities are seldom practised now, except among the Mahommedans, or the savages of Africa and America; and for the credit of human nature, it is to be wished that such atrocities had never been committed.
side <05676> [on the other side.]
The words {maiaiver lyyarden,} may denote at the passage of Jordan, or from beyond Jordan. Gideon does not appear to have yet passed the Jordan.
Ephraimites <0376> [the men.]
Why <04100> [Why, etc. Heb. What thing is this thou hast done unto us? sharply. Heb. strongly.]
accomplished <06213> [What.]
leftover grapes <05955> [Is not the.]
That is, the Ephraimites have performed more important services than Gideon and his men had achieved.
Abiezer's <044> [Abiezer.]
God <0430> [God.]
<07307> [Then.]
<07307> [anger. Heb. spirit.]
exhausted <05889> [faint.]
Succoth <05523> [Succoth.]
loaves <03603> [loaves.]
thresh <01758> [tear. Heb. thresh.]
return <07725> [I come.]
tear <05422> [I will break.]
Karkor <07174> [Karkor.]
If this were the name of a place, it is no where else mentioned. Some contend that {karkor} signifies rest; and the Vulgate renders it {requiescebant,} "rested". This seems the most likely; for it is said (ver. 11) that Gideon "smote the host: for the host was secure."
peoples <01121> [children.]
peoples ... hundred <03967 05307> [fell an hundred, etc. or, an hundred and twenty thousand, every one drawing a sword]
Nobah <05025> [Nobah.]
Nobah took its name from an Israelite who conquered it; and is said by Eusebius to have been, in his time, a forsaken place eight miles south from Heshbon. Jogbehah was probably near it.
surprised <0983> [secure.]
captured <03920> [took.]
surprised <02729> [discomfited. Heb. terrified.]
pass <04608> [before.]
The words {milm„ƒleh haichaires} should, most probably be rendered "from the ascent of Chares;" which is the reading of the LXX. Syriac, Arabic, and Houbigant.
captured <03920> [caught.]
wrote down <03789> [described. Heb. writ.]
insulted <02778> [upbraid.]
leaders <02205> [the elders.]
thorns <06975> [thorns.]
threshed <03045> [taught. Heb. made to know.]
Instead of {wyyodÆ’,} Houbigant, Le Clerc, and others read {wyyadosh,} "and he tore or threshed;" and this is not only agreeable to what Gideon threatened (ver. 7), but is supported by the LXX. Vulgate, Chaldee, Syriac, and Arabic. The Hebrew text might easily have been corrupted simply by the change of [ShÅ’yn,] {shin,} into ['Ayin,] {ayin,} letters very similar to each other.
Tabor <08396> [Tabor.]
like ... Each one <03644 0259> [As thou art.]
looked like <08389> [resembled. Heb. according to the form of, etc.]
Gideon ..... strike ........... So <06965 06293> [Rise thou.]
It was disgraceful to fall by the hands of a child; and death by the blows of such a person must be much more lingering and tormenting. Some have employed children to dispatch captives.
killed <02026> [slew.]
crescent-shaped ornaments <07720> [ornaments. or, ornaments like the moon.]
Rule ...... son .... grandson <04910 01121> [Rule thou.]
rule ........ rule ....... rule <04910> [I will.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
Each .... give ... an <05414 0376> [give me.]
Ishmaelites <03459> [because.]
seventeen hundred <0505> [a thousand.]
Taking the shekel at half an ounce, the sum of the gold ear-rings was 73 lbs. 4oz. and worth about Å“3,300 sterling.
jewelry <05188> [collars. or, sweet jewels. purple.]
necklaces <06060> [chains.]
ephod <0646> [an ephod.]
Ophrah <06084> [Ophrah.]
prostituted <02181> [a whoring.]
snare <04170> [a snare.]
Midian <04080> [was Midian.]
forty years <0705 08141> [forty years.]
Jerub-Baal <03378> [Jerubbaal.]
home <01004> [in his own house.]
seventy <07657> [threescore.]
fathered <03409 03318> [of his body begotten. Heb. going out of his thigh. many wives.]
concubine <06370> [concubine.]
<07760> [called. Heb. set. Abimelech.]
Ophrah <06084> [Ophrah.]
Gideon <01439> [as soon.]
prostituted <02181> [went.]
Baal-Berith <01170> [Baal-berith.]
Literally, "the lord of the covenant."
remain <02142> [remembered.]
treat .................. done <06213> [shewed.]
Jerub-Baal <03378> [Jerubbaal.]
Rather, Jerubbaal Gideon; as we say, Simon Peter; or call a person by his Christian and surname. Gideon was a mighty man of valour, a true patriot, evidently disinterested and void of ambition. He loved his country, and hazarded his life for it; but refused the kingdom, when offered to him and his heirs. The act of making the ephod was totally wrong; yet, probably it was done with no reprehensible design.
Abimelech <040> [Abimelech.]
Shechem <07927> [Shechem.]
said <01696> [communed.]
want <02896> [Whether, etc. Heb. What is good? whether, etc. threescore.]
blood <06106> [your bone.]
spoke <01696> [spake.]
Abimelech <0310> [to follow. Heb. after. our brother.]
temple <01004> [house.]
lawless <07386> [vain, etc.]
{Anashim raikim oophochozim,} "worthless and dissolute men;" persons who were living on the public, and had nothing to lose. Such was the foundation of his Babel government. By a cunning management of such unprincipled men most revolutions are brought about.
Ophrah <06084> [at Ophrah.]
murdered <02026> [slew.]
Beth <01004> [the house.]
Millo <04407> [Millo.]
Probably the name of a person of note in Shechem.
oak <0436> [plain. or, oak.]
Mount Gerizim <01630 02022> [mount Gerizim.]
Listen ........... listen <08085> [Hearken.]
trees <06086> [The trees.]
This is the most ancient fable or apologue extant; and is extremely beautiful, apposite, and intelligible.
olive tree <02132> [olive tree.]
The {zayith,} or olive tree, in the Linnean system, is a genus of the {diandra monogynia} class of plants. It is of a moderate height, and grows best in sunny places. Its trunk is knotty; bark smooth, of an ash colour: wood solid and yellowish; leaves oblong, almost like those of the willow, of a dark green colour on the upper side, and whitish below. In June it puts forth white flowers, growing in bunches, each of one piece, widening towards the top, and dividing into four parts. After this succeeds the fruit, which is oblong and plump; first green, then pale, and when quite ripe, black. Within it is enclosed a hard stone, filled with oblong seeds. It was the most useful of all trees in the forest; as the bramble was the meanest and most worthless.
king <04427> [Reign.]
honor <03513> [wherewith.]
gods <0430> [God.]
{Elohim,} rather gods; the parable being adapted to the idolatrous Shechemites.
sway ..... trees <05128 06086> [to be promoted over the trees. Heb. up and down for other trees.]
makes <08055> [cheereth.]
thornbush <0329> [bramble. or, thistle.]
branches <06738> [shadow.]
fire <0784> [let fire.]
cedars <0730> [the cedars.]
repaid <01576> [according.]
fought <03898> [fought.]
risked ... life <05315 07993> [adventured his life. Heb. cast his life.]
attacked <06965> [are risen.]
Abimelech <040> [Abimelech.]
happiness ....... happiness <08055> [rejoice.]
fire blaze from ............. fire ... blaze from <03318 0784> [let fire come out.]
Beer <0876> [Beer.]
Probably the Beer mentioned by Mr. Maundrell, three hours and a half, or about ten miles, north of Jerusalem, towards Shechem. It is situated toward the south, on an easy declivity; and has a fountain of excellent water at the bottom of the hill, from which it has taken its name. Close to the well are the mouldering walls of a ruined {khan;} and on the summit of the hill two large arches still remain of a ruined convent. Dr. Richardson says, that it seems to have been once a place of considerable consequence.
God <0430> [A.M. 2771. B.C. 1233. An. Ex. Is. 258. God.]
That is, God permitted the evil spirit of jealousy, treachery, and discord, to break out between Abimelech and the Shechemites.
disloyal <0898> [dealt.]
violent <02555> [That the.]
murdered .................. helped ... murder <02026 02388> [aided him in the killing of. Heb. strengthened his hands to kill.]
Sooner or later, God will make inquisition for blood, and will return it on the heads of those that shed it. Accessaries will be reckoned with, as well as principals, in that and other sins. The Shechemites, who countenanced Abimelech's pretensions, aided and abetted him in his bloody project, and avowed the fact by making him king after he had done it, must fall with him, fall by him, and fall first. Those that combine together to do wickedly, are justly dashed in pieces one against another. Blood cannot be a lasting cement to any interest.
brothers <0251> [brethren.]
celebrated <01974> [merry. or, songs.]
temple <01004> [the house.]
ate <0398> [did eat.]
cursed <07043> [cursed.]
Abimelech <040> [Who is Abimelech.]
Hamor <02544> [Hamor.]
men <05971> [would to God.]
The very words and conduct of a sly, hypocritical demagogue.
challenged <0559> [And he said.]
Rather, "and I would say to Abimelech," as the LXX. renders; for as Dr. Wall observes, this was probably not said in the presence of Abimelech; but at an intemperate feast, in his absence, when he boasted he would challenge him.
Muster ... army ..... for battle <07235 06635> [Increase thine army.]
furious <02734> [kindled. or, hot.]
Arumah <08649> [privily. Heb. craftily, or, to Tormah. they fortify.]
Under pretence of repairing the walls and towers, they were actually putting the place in a state of defence, intending to seize on the government as soon as they found Abimelech coming against them.
night <03915> [by night.]
can <03027 04672> [as thou shalt find. Heb. as thine hand shall find.]
Gaal <01603> [Gaal.]
Of this person we know no more than is here recorded. He was probably one of the descendants of the Canaanites, who hoped, from the state of the public mind and their disaffection to Abimelech, to cause a revolution, and thus to restore the ancient government as it was under Hamor, the father of Shechem. Josephus says he was a man of authority, who sojourned with them, with his armed men and kinsmen; and that the Shechemites desired that he would allow them a guard during the vintage.
men <05971> [the people.]
saw .......................... seeing ... shadows <06738 07200> [seest the shadow.]
Doubdan states, that in some parts of the Holy Land there are many detached rocks scattered up and down, some growing out of the ground, and others fragments broken off from rocky precipices, the shadow of which, it appears, Josephus thought might be most naturally imagined to look like troops of men at a distance, rather than that of the mountains; for he represents Zebul as saying to Gaal, that he mistook the shadow of the rocks for men.
center <02872> [middle. Heb. navel. Meonenim. or, the regarders of the times.]
ran from <06440 05127> [he fled before.]
Arumah <0725> [Arumah.]
This place appears from the next verse to have been near Shechem; and is perhaps the same as Ruma, a village of Galilee, mentioned by Josephus, Bell. 1. iii. c. 9.
Zebul <02083> [Zebul.]
blocked ........... attacked <06584> [rushed forward.]
captured <03920> [he took.]
leveled <05422> [beat.]
spread <02232> [sowed.]
Salt in small quantities renders land extremely fertile; but too much of it destroys vegetation. Every place, says Pliny, in which salt is found is barren, and produces nothing. Hence the sowing of a place with salt was a custom in different nations to express permanent desolation. Sigonius observes, that when Milan was taken, A.D. 1162, the walls were razed, and it was sown with salt. And Brantome informs us, that it was an ancient custom in France, to sow the house of a man with salt, who had been declared a traitor to his king. Charles IX., king of France, the most base and perfidious of human beings, caused the house of Admiral Coligni (whom he and the Duke of Guise caused to be murdered, with thousands more of Protestants, on the eve of St. Bartholomew, 1572,) to be sown with salt!
stronghold <06877> [an hold.]
Zalmon <06756> [Zalmon.]
seen <07200> [What ye.]
do ........ do <06213> [me do. Heb. I have done.]
put ...... stronghold ...... it <07760 06877> [put them.]
Thebez <08405> [Thebez.]
According to Eusebius, thirteen miles from Shechem, towards Scythopolis.
woman <0802> [woman.]
shattered <07533> [and all to.]
An antiquated expression, meaning "full intention" to complete an object. "All to," observes Dr. Johnson, "is a particle of mere enforcement." The original is {wattaritz eth gulgalto,} which is simply as the LXX. render [kai eklase to kranion autou,] "and she brake his skull." Plutarch relates, that Pyrrhus was killed at the siege of Thebes, by a piece of a tile, which a woman threw upon his head.
Draw ... sword <08025 02719> [Draw thy.]
young man ....................... young man <05288> [And his young man.]
It was a disgrace to be killed by a woman.
God repaid <07725 0430> [God rendered.]
Both the fratricide Abimelech and the unprincipled men of Shechem had the iniquity visited upon them of which they had been guilty. Man's judgment may be avoided; but there is no escape from that of God. How many houses have been sown with salt in France, by the just judgment of God, for the massacre of the Protestants on the eve of St. Bartholomew! See Note on ver. 45.
spoken <0935> [upon them.]
rose <06965> [A.M. 2772. B.C. 1232. An. Ex. Is. 259. arose.]
deliver <03467> [defend. or, deliver. Heb. save. Shamir.]
Gileadite <01569> [A.M. 2795. B.C. 1209. An. Ex. Is. 282. a Gileadite.]
rode <07392> [rode.]
called <07121> [called.]
Havvoth Jair <02334> [Havoth-jair. or, the villages of Jair.]
did evil <06213 07451> [A.M. 2817. B.C. 1187. An. Ex. Is. 304. did evil.]
Baals <01168> [A.M. 2799. B.C. 1205. An. Ex. Is. 286. Baalim.]
gods .... Sidon <06721 0430> [the gods of Zidon.]
gods .......... Philistines <06430 0430> [the gods of the Philistines.]
furious <02734> [was hot.]
turned <04376> [he sold.]
year <08141> [that year.]
oppressed <07533> [oppressed. Heb. crushed.]
crossed <05674> [passed.]
suffered <03334> [distressed.]
cried <02199> [cried.]
Egypt <04714> [Did not I.]
Egypt <04714> [Egyptians.]
Amorites <0567> [Amorites.]
Israelites ............ Ammonites <01121> [children.]
Philistines <06430> [Philistines.]
Sidonians <06722> [Zidonians.]
Amalek <06002> [Amalekites.]
Midian <04584> [the Maonites.]
The LXX. have "the Midianites," which Dr. Wall thinks the true reading. But the Maonites might be a tribe of Arabs, inhabitants of Maon. (Jos 15:55. 1Sa 23:24, 25; 25:2,) which assisted Moab.
sinned <02398> [We have sinned.]
do ...... see <06213 05869> [do thou.]
see <05869> [seemeth, etc. Heb. is good in thine eyes. deliver.]
threw away <05493> [they put.]
foreign gods <0430 05236> [strange gods. Heb. gods of strangers. his soul.]
<07114> [grieved. Heb. shortened.]
Not that there is any grief in God; he has infinite joy and happiness in himself, which cannot be broken in upon by either the sins or the miseries of his creatures. Not that there is any change in God; for he is of one mind, and who can turn him? But his goodness is his glory; by it he proclaims his name, and magnifies it; and as he is pleased to put himself into the relation of a father to his people, so he is pleased to represent his goodness to them by the compassion of a father to his children; for as he is the Father of lights, so is he the Father of mercies.
assembled <06817> [gathered together. Heb. cried together. Mizpeh.]
one <0376> [What man.]
leader <07218> [he shall be.]
Jephthah <03316> [Jephthah.]
[called Jephthae. a mighty.]
mother <0802> [an harlot. Heb. a woman, an harlot.]
Probably {zonah} should be rendered as in Jos 2:1, a hostess, or inn-keeper: so Targum of Jonathan, {wehoo bar ittetha pundekeetha,} "and he was the son of a woman, a tavern-keeper." She was very probably a Canaanite, as she is called, ver. 2, a strange woman, {ishah achereth,} "a woman of another race;" and on this account his brethren drove him from the family, as not having a full right to the inheritance.
<01644> [thrust out.]
another <0312> [a strange.]
half-brothers <06440 0251> [from his brethren. Heb. from the face of. Tob.]
Probably the same as Ish-Tob; and appears to have been a part of Syria, near Zobah, Rehob, and Maachah, east of Jordan, and in the most northern part of the portion of Manasseh. If so, it could not be far from Gilead, the country of Jephthah. This country is called Tobie or Tubin, 1 Mac 5:13; and the Jews who inhabited this district Tubieni, 2 Mac 12:17. 2 Sa 10:6.
Lawless men <07386 0582> [vain men.]
time <03117> [A.M. 2817. B.C. 1187. An. Ex. Is. 304. in process of time.]
Heb. after days.
attacked <03898> [made war.]
<03947> [to fetch.]
hated <08130> [Did not ye hate.]
leaders <02205> [the elders.]
we pledge <07725> [we turn.]
back <07725> [If ye bring.]
Lord <03068> [The Lord.]
grievance ... have <08085> [be witness. be the hearer.]
do <06213> [if we do.]
leader <07218> [head.]
repeated <01696> [uttered.]
Jephthah ................ Jephthah repeated <01696 03316> [Jephthah uttered.]
That is, upon his elevation, he immediately retired to his devotion, and in prayer spread the whole matter before God, both his choice to the office, and his execution of the office, as one that had his eye ever toward the Lord, and would do nothing without him; that leaned not to his own understanding or courage, but depended on the Almighty God, and his favour. This is an ensample worthy of universal imitation; in All Our Ways, whether great or apparently subordinate, let us acknowledge God and seek his direction. So shall we make our way prosperous, and obtain that peace which passeth all understanding. Jephthah opened his campaign with prayer.
before <06440> [before.]
Mizpah <04709> [Mizpeh.]
This Mizpeh was east of Jordan in the mountains of Gilead (Ge 31:49); and hence called Mizpeh of Gilead (ver. 29), to distinguish it from another place of the same name, west of Jordan, in the tribe of Judah.
sent messengers <07971 04397> [sent messengers.]
In this Jephthah acted in accordance with the law of Moses; and hence the justice of his cause would appear more forcibly to the people.
come against <0935> [What hast.]
Israel <03478> [Because Israel.]
Arnon <0769> [from Arnon.]
That is, all the land which had belonged to the Amorites and Moabites.
Jabbok <02999> [Jabbok.]
king <03254 04428> [again unto.]
Israel .... steal <03478 03947> [Israel took.]
Israel <03478> [But when.]
The whole of these messages shew, Jephthah had well studied the book of Moses. His arguments also are very clear and cogent, and his demands reasonable; for he only required that the Ammonites should cease to harass a people who had neither injured them, nor intended to do so.
<03212> [walked.]
left ................ came <05927 0935> [came.]
sent messengers ......................... sent <07971 04397> [sent messengers.]
king ............... king .............. king <04428> [the king.]
stayed <03427> [abode.]
<03212> [went.]
bypassed <05437> [compassed.]
traveled east .................... go <0935 04217> [came by.]
camped <02583> [pitched.]
[Lord God.]
[they smote.]
[so Israel.]
took <03423> [And they.]
desert <04057> [from the wilderness.]
From Arabia Deserta on the east, to Jordan on the west.
Jephthah shews that the Israelites did not take the land of the Moabites or Ammonites, but that of the Amorites, which they had conquered from Sihon their king; and although the Amorites had taken the lands in question from the Ammonites, yet the title by which Israel held them was good, because they took them, not from the Ammonites, but from the Amorites.
take ........... take ............ driven <03423> [Wilt not thou possess.]
This is simply an {argumentum ad hominem;} in which Jephthah argues on this principles recognized by the king of Ammon. As if he had said, "You suppose that the land which you possess was given you by your god Chemosh; and therefore will not relinquish what you believe you hold by a divine right. Now we know that Jehovah, our God, has given us the land of the Israelites; and therefore we will not give it up."
Chemosh <03645> [Chemosh.]
Lord <03068> [whomsoever.]
Balak <01111> [Balak.]
Heshbon <02809> [Heshbon.]
Aroer <06177> [Aroer.]
three hundred <07969 03967> [three hundred.]
May ..... Judge judge <08199> [the Judge.]
May ..... Judge judge <08199> [be judge.]
spirit <07307> [the spirit.]
Jephthah <03316> [Jephthah.]
"Jephthah seems to have been judge only of north-east Israel."
passed through ...... went ... Mizpah ....... approached <04708 05674> [over Mizpeh.]
then ....... come through <03318> [whatsoever, etc. Heb. that which cometh forth, which shall come forth. shall surely.]
up <05927> [and I will. or, or I will, etc.]
{Weh„ƒleetheehoo “lah,} rather, as Dr. Randolph and others contend, "and I will offer Him (or to Him, i.e., Jehovah) a burnt offering;" for {hoo} may with much more propriety be referred to the person to whom the sacrifice was to be made, than to the thing to be sacrificed. Unless understood in this way, or as the marginal reading, it must have been the vow of a heathen or a madman. If a dog, or other uncleaned animal had met him, he could not have made it a burnt offering; or if his neighbour's wife, sons, etc., his vow gave him no right over them.
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
Aroer <06177> [Aroer.]
Minnith <04511> [Minnith.]
Situated, according to Eusebius, four miles from Heshbon, towards Philadelphia or Rabbath.
Abel <058> [the plain. or, Abel.]
Mizpah <04709> [Mizpeh.]
daughter .......................... daughter <01323> [his daughter.]
son <01121> [beside her. or, he had not of his own either son or daughter. Heb. of himself. neither.]
ripped ... clothes <0899 07167> [rent his clothes.]
made an oath <06475> [have opened.]
cannot <03201> [I cannot.]
After <0310> [forasmuch.]
walk <03381 03212> [go up and down. Heb. go and go down. bewail.]
did ....... vowed <06213 05088> [did with.]
That Jephthah did not sacrifice his daughter, but consecrated her to the service of God in the tabernacle, in a state of celibacy, will we imagine be evident from the following consideration:--1. Human sacrifices were ever an abomination to Jehovah, of which Jephthah could not be ignorant; and consequently he would neither have made such a vow, nor carried it into execution. 2. We are expressly told (ver. 29) that Jephthah was under the influence of the Spirit of God, which would effectually prevent him from embruing his hands in the blood of his own child. 3. He had it in his power to redeem his daughter, (Le 27:4;) and surely his only child must have been of more value than thirty shekles. 4. Besides, who was to perform the horrid rite? Not Jephthah himself, who was no priest, and in whom it would have been most unnatural and inhuman; and the priests would certainly have dissuaded him from it. 5. The sacred historian informs us, that she bewailed her virginity, that she knew no man, and that the Israelitish women went yearly to comfort or lament with her.
vowed <05088> [to his vow.]
custom <02706> [custom. or, ordinance.]
Every year ............. days <03117> [yearly. Heb. from year to year. lament. or, to talk with.]
Every year ............ four days <0702 03117> [four days.]
assembled <06817> [gathered. Heb. were called. Wherefore.]
burn .... down <08313> [we will burn.]
people <05971> [I and my.]
<07760> [put.]
up <05927> [wherefore.]
<0582> [and the men.]
refugees <06412> [fugitives.]
said .... Say Shibboleth .... said <0559 07641> [Say now.]
Shibboleth <07641> [Shibboleth. which signifieth a stream, or flood.]
{Shibboleth} also means an ear of corn, (Job 24:24,) and {sibboleth} signifies a burden, (Ex 6:6;) and a heavy burden they were obliged to bear who could not pronounce this test letter. It is well known that several nations cannot pronounce certain letters. The sound of th cannot be pronounced by the Persians, no more than by some of our Continental neighbours; though it is a common sound among the Arabians. To this day, many of the German Jews cannot articulate [t] th, for which they substitute ss; thus for {baith,} a house, they say {baiss.}
fell dead <05307> [there fell.]
forty-two <0705> [forty.]
{Arb„im ooshenayim aleph,} "forty and two thousand." Here the [w,] and, may mean simple addition; and this number may denote 2,040 and not 42,000. At the last census of the Israelites (Nu 26:37) the whole tribe of Ephraim only amounted to 32,500, compared with which this last number appears far too great.
Ibzan <078> [Ibzan. A.M. 2823. B.C. 1181. An. Ex. Is. 310.]
"He seems to have been only a civil judge to do justice in North-east Israel."
Bethlehem <01035> [Beth-lehem.]
[A.M. 2830. B.C. 1174. An. Ex. Is. 317.]
"A civil judge in North-east Israel."
Aijalon <0357> [Aijalon.]
[A.M. 2840. B.C. 1164. An. Ex. Is. 327.]
"A civil judge also in North-east Israel."
sons .... grandsons <01121> [nephews. Heb. sons' sons. rode.]
Pirathonite <06553> [A.M. 2848. B.C. 1156. An. Ex.Is. 335. Pirathonite.]
hill country <02022> [in the mount.]
did <06213> [did. Heb. added to commit, etc.]
sight <05869> [in the sight.]
so <05414> [delivered.]
"This seems a partial captivity."
handed <03027> [into the.]
Zorah <06881> [Zorah.]
infertile <06135> [barren.]
messenger <04397> [the angel.]
conceive <02029> [but thou.]
drink wine <08354 03196> [drink not.]
eat ......... unclean <0398 02931> [eat not.]
[no rasor.]
begin <02490> [begin.]
husband ... man <0376> [A man.]
looked like <04758> [countenance was.]
awesome <03372> [terrible.]
ask <07592> [but I asked, etc.]
The Vulgate renders this cause very differently, the negative Not being omitted: {Quem c—m interrogƒssim quis esset, et unde venisset, et quo nomine vocaretur, noluit mihi dicere; sed hoc respondit, etc; "Whom when I asked who he was, and whence he came, and by what name he was called, would not tell me: but this he said," etc. The negative is also wanting in the Septuagint, as it is in the Complutensian Polyglott; [kai erouton auton pothen estin, kai to onoma auton, ouk apengeilen moi.] "And I asked him whence he was, and his name, but he did not tell me." This is also the reading of the Codex Alexandrinus; but the Septuagint in the London Polyglott, the Chaldee, Syriac, and Arabic, read the negative particle with the Hebrew text: I asked Not his name, etc.
name <08034> [his name.]
teach ...... raise <03384 06213> [teach us.]
answered <08085> [hearkened.]
husband ..... man ...... other <0376> [Behold.]
day <03117> [the other day.]
{Byyom,} rather, "in this day," or "to-day," for the word other is not in the original, and it is probably that the angel appeared in the morning and evening of the same day.
child <04941 05288> [How shall we order the child. Heb. what shall be the manner of the child?]
<04639> [how shall we do unto him. or, what shall he do? Heb. what shall be his work?]
drink <08354> [neither.]
commanded <06680> [all that I.]
awhile <06113> [let us.]
prepare <06213> [until.]
Manoah, not knowing the quality of his guest, wished to do this as act of hospitality.
[for thee. Heb. before thee.]
eat <0398> [I will not.]
As I am a spiritual being, I subsist not by earthly food; and cannot partake of your bounty.
If ........... if <0518> [and if, etc.]
Rather, "but if thou wilt offer," etc.
[unto thee.]
ask <07592> [Why askest.]
cannot comprehend <06383> [secret. or, wonderful.]
It was because his name was secret that Manoah wished to know it. But the angel does not say it was secret, but {hoo pailee,} "it is wonderful;" the very character given to the Messiah: "His name shall be called {pailai,} Wonderful," Isa 9:6.
took <03947> [took.]
did ... amazing <06381 06213> [did wondrously.]
He acted according to His Name: He, being wonderful, performed wonders; probably causing fire to arise out of the rock and consume the sacrifice, and then ascended in the flame.
flame ................ it <03851> [when the flame.]
fell <05307> [fell on.]
realized <03045> [knew.]
We .... die <04191> [We shall.]
seen <07200> [we have.]
wife <0802> [his wife.]
accepted ......... from ... He <03947> [he would not.]
shown <07200> [he have shewed.]
Samson <08123> [A.M. 2849. B.C. 1155. An. Ex. Is. 336. Samson.]
child <05288> [the child.]
spirit <07307> [the Spirit.]
Mahaneh Dan <01835 04264> [the camp of Dan. Heb. Mahaneh-dan, as ch. 18:12. between.]
Timnah <08553> [Timnath.]
[aw.]
get ..... wife <03947 0802> [get her.]
relatives <0251> [thy brethren.]
uncircumcised <06189> [uncircumcised.]
right <03474> [she pleaseth me well. Heb. she is right in mine eyes.]
Lord's <03068> [it was of the Lord.]
That is, God permitted it, that it might be a means of bringing about the deliverance of Israel. Such marriages were forbidden to the Israelites, to keep them separate from the idolatrous nations.
ruling <04910> [had dominion.]
attacking <07125> [against him. Heb. in meeting him.]
spirit <07307> [the Spirit.]
empowered ............... easily <08156> [rent him.]
Now it is not intimated that he did this by his own natural strength; but by the supernatural strength communicated by the Spirit of the Lord coming mightily upon him; which strength was not at his own command, but was, by the will of God, attached to his hair and nazarate.
tell <05046> [he told.]
marry ..... aside <03947 05493> [to take her.]
swarm <05712> [a swarm.]
It is probable, that the flesh had been entirely consumed off the bones, which had become dry; and the body having been throw into some private place, (for Samson turned aside to visit it,) a swarm of bees had formed their combs in the cavity of the dry ribs, or region of the thorax; nor was it a more improper place than a hollow rock.
hosted ... party ...... customary ..... do <06213 04960> [made there.]
thirty <07970> [thirty.]
riddle <02420> [a riddle.]
seven <07651> [the seven.]
linen robes <05466> [sheets. or, shirts.]
This will receive illustration from Mr. Jackson's description of the Moorish dress:--"It resembles that of the ancient patriarchs, as represented in paintings; (but the paintings are taken from Asiatic models:) that of the men consists of a red cap and turban, a ({kumja}) shirt, which hangs outside of the drawers, and comes below the knee; a ({caftan}) coat, which buttons close before, and down to the bottom with large open sleeves; over which, when they go out of doors, they throw carelessly, and sometimes elegantly, a {hayk,} or garment of white cotton, silk, or wool, five or six yards long, and five feet wide. The Arabs often dispense with the {caftan,} and even with the shirt, wearing nothing but the {hayk.}"
sets <02487> [change.]
eats <0398> [Out of the eater.]
could <03201> [they could.]
fourth day <03117 07637> [on the seventh day.]
The LXX. reads "on the fourth day;" with which the Syriac and Arabic agree. This, as Dr. Wall observes, is certainly right; for it appears from ver. 17, that she wept the remainder of the seven days; for which there could have been no time, if they did not threaten her till the seventh.
Trick <06601> [Entice.]
burn up <08313> [lest we burn.]
make ... poor <03423> [take that we have. Heb. possess us, or, impoverish us.]
hate <08130> [Thou dost.]
told .............. told ............ tell <05046> [I have not.]
[the seven, or, the rest of the seven days. she lay.]
told ............ told <05046> [and she told.]
spirit <07307> [the Spirit.]
clothes <02488> [spoil. or, apparel.]
best man <04828> [given to.]
<07462> [his friend.]
young <01423> [a kid.]
have sex ............... enter <0935> [I will go.]
said .... thought <0559> [I verily.]
gave <05414> [I gave.]
[take her. Heb. let her be thine.]
time .... justified <06471 05352> [Now shall, etc. or, Now shall I be blameless from the]
Philistines, though, etc.
captured three <07969 03920> [caught three.]
Dr. Kennicott and others contend, that for {shÂÆ’lim,} "foxes," we should read {shâ€Æ’lim,} "handfuls," or sheaves of corn. But, 1. The word {lachad,} rendered caught, never signifies simply to get or take but always to catch, seize, or take by assault or stratagem. 2. Though the proposed alteration is sanctioned by seven MSS., yet all the versions are on the other side. 3. Admitting this alteration, it will be difficult to prove that the word {shâ€Æ’l} means either a sheaf or a handful of corn in the ear, and straw. It occurs but thrice in Scriptures (1 Ki 20:10. Isa 40:12. Eze 13:9): where it evidently means as much as can be contained in the hollow of the hand; but when handfuls of grain in the shock, or sheaves are intended, very different words are used. See Ru 2.15, 16, etc. 4. It is not hinted that Samson collected them alone, or in one day; he might have employed many hands and several days in the work. 5. The word {shÂÆ’l} properly denotes the jackal, which travellers describe as an animal in size between the wolf and fox, gregarious, as many as 200 having been seen together, and the most numerous of any in eastern countries; so that Samson might have caught many of them together in nets.
torches ............... torch <03940> [firebrands. or, torches.]
set <07971> [he let them go.]
burned <08313> [and burnt.]
<0518> [Though.]
Lehi <03896> [Lehi.]
went down <03381> [went. Heb. went down. the rock Etam.]
Probably near the town Etam, mentioned in 1 Ch 4:32.
Philistines <06430> [Philistines.]
take ... prisoner <0631 05414> [to bind thee.]
kill <06293> [fall.]
Philistines <06430> [the Philistines.]
spirit <07307> [the Spirit.]
ropes <05688> [the cords.]
melted away <04549> [loosed. Heb. were melted.]
solid jawbone <03895 02961> [new jaw-bone. Heb. moist. slew.]
thousand <0505> [a thousand.]
Some would render the words {aileph ish,} "a chief;" but it is {alluph,} and not {aileph,} which signifies a chief; besides which, the Hebrew idiom would, even in that case, require it to be {ish alluph,} "a man, a chief," and not {alluph ish,} "a chief, a man." Add to which, that every version renders it "a thousand men."
jawbone ............. jawbone <03895> [with the jaw-bone.]
There is here a fine paronomasia upon the word {chamor,} "an ass," which also signifies "a heap;" {bilchee hachamor, chamor chamorathayim,} "With the jaw-bone of an ass, a heap upon two heaps."
<02565> [heaps upon heaps. Heb. an heap, two heaps.]
Ramath <07437> [Ramath-lehi. that is, the lifting up of the jaw-bone, or, the casting away of the jaw-bone.]
very <03966> [he was sore.]
given <05414> [Thou hast given.]
die <04191> [shall.]
fall <05307> [and fall.]
Philistines <06189> [the uncircumcised.]
Lehi <03895> [the jaw. or, Lehi.]
This reading is certainly preferable: it was in the place called Lehi where a spring was supernaturally opened.
flowed out <03318> [there came.]
strength <07307> [his spirit.]
En Hakkore <05875> [En-hakkore.]
Samson gave this expressive name to the miraculously springing water, to be as a memorial of the goodness of God to him. En-hakkore, the well of him that cried, which kept him in remembrance both of his own distress which caused him to cry, and the favour of Jehovah to him in answer to his cry. Many a spring of comfort God opens to his people, which may fitly be called by the name En-hakkore: and this instance of Samson's relief should encourage us to trust in God, for when he pleases he can open rivers in high places.
Samson at first gave the name of Ramath-lehi (the lifting up of the jaw-bone) which denoted him great and triumphant: but now he gives it another name, En-hakkore, which denotes him wanting and dependent. .# Ge 16:13, 22:14 28:19 30:30 Ex 17:15 Ps 34:6 120:1
"He seems to have judged South-west Israel during twenty years of their servitude of the Philistines."
Gaza <05804> [Gaza.]
Gaza, a city of great antiquity, was situated between Raphia and Askelon, twenty-two miles north of the former, and sixteen south of of the latter, according to the Antonine Itinerary; three miles from the sea, according to Arrian, and thirty-four from Ashdod or Azotus, according to Diodorus Siculus. It was a place of great strength and importance; and successively belonged to the Philistines, Hebrews, Chaldeans, and Persians; which latter defended it for two months against Alexander the great, who finally took and destroyed it. It was afterwards rebuilt, and alternately possessed by the Egyptians, Syrians, and Jews. The present town, which the Arabs call Razza, is situated on an eminence, and is rendered picturesque by the number of fine minarets which rise majestically above the buildings, with beautiful date trees interspersed. It contains upwards of 2,000 inhabitants.
her <0802> [an harlot. Heb. a woman an harlot. and went]
surrounded <05437> [compassed.]
[quite. Heb. silent. kill him.]
grabbed <0270> [took.]
bar ..... put <01280 07760> [bar and all. Heb. with the bar.]
love <0157> [he loved.]
Valley <05158> [in the valley. or, by the brook.]
rulers <05633> [the lords.]
Trick <06601> [Entice.]
humiliate <06031> [afflict. or, humble. we will.]
tie ... up <0631> [If they bind.]
fresh bowstrings <03892 03499> [green withs. or, new cords. Heb. moist. another. Heb. one.]
tied ... up <0631> [bound him.]
put close <07306> [toucheth. Heb. smelleth.]
tell ....... subdued <05046 0631> [now tell me.]
tie <0631> [If they bind me.]
used <04399> [that never, etc. Heb. wherewith work hath not been done.]
fabric <04545> [with the web.]
It is evident that this verse ends abruptly, and does not contain a full sense. Houbigant has particularly noticed this, and corrected the text from the Septuagint: which adds after these words, [kai enkrouses to passalo eis ton toichou, kai esomai hos eis ton anthropon asthenes kai egeneto en to koimasthai auton kai elabe Dalida tas hepta seiras tes kephales autou, kai hyphanen en to diasmati, k.t.l.] "and shall fasten them with the pin in the wall, I shall become weak like other men: and so it was, that when he slept, Dalida took the seven locks of his head, and wove them with the web," etc. This is absolutely necessary to complete the sense; else Delilah would appear to do something she was not ordered to do, and to omit what she was commanded. Dr. Kennicott very judiciously observes, that the omission, for such it appears to be, begins and ends with the same word; and that the same word occurring in different places, is a very common cause of omission in Hebrew manuscripts.
<05265> [went away.]
said .... How .... say <0349 0559> [How canst.]
secret <03820> [when thine.]
nagged <06693> [she pressed.]
<07114> [vexed. Heb. shortened.]
secret <03820> [all his heart.]
cut <05927> [There hath.]
Come up ................. went up ..... bringing <05927> [Come up.]
Come up ................. went up ..... bringing ... silver <03701 05927> [brought money.]
sleep <03462> [she made.]
do <03318> [I will go.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
gouged out <05365> [and put out. Heb. and bored out.]
bound .... bronze <0631 05178> [bound him.]
grinder <02912> [grind.]
hair <08181> [the hair.]
had ... shaved off <0834 01548> [after he was shaven. or, as when he was shaven.]
Dagon <01712> [Dagon.]
celebrate <08057> [to rejoice.]
praised <01984> [praised.]
killed ... many <02491 07235> [which slew many of us. Heb. and who multiplied our slain.]
celebrating <03820> [their hearts.]
<06440> [them. Heb. before them. sport.]
roof <01406> [and there.]
"Samson, therefore," says Dr. Shaw, "must have been in a court or area below; and consequently the temple will be of the same kind with the ancient, [temene,] or sacred enclosures, which were only surrounded either in part, or on all sides, with some plain or cloistered buildings. Several palaces, {doutwanas,} (as the courts of justice are called in those countries) are built in this fashion. On their public festivals and rejoicings, the roofs of these cloisters are crowded with spectators. I have often seen numbers of people diverted in this manner on the roof of the dey's palace at Algiers; which, like many others, has an advanced cloister, over against the gate of the palace, like a long pent-house, supported by one or two contiguous pillars in front, or centre."
roof <01406> [the roof.]
called <07121> [called.]
remember ... Strengthen <02142 02388> [remember me.]
swift <0259> [that I may.]
leaned <05564> [on which it was borne up. or, he leaned on them.]
die ...................... killed ....... death ..... killed <04191> [me. Heb. my soul. die.]
temple <01004> [and the house.]
die ...................... killed ....... death ..... killed <04191> [So the dead.]
brothers <0251> [his brethren.]
Zorah <06881> [between Zorah.]
led <08199> [And he judged.]
