Leviticus 23:1-44
appointed times .......... appointed times <04150> [the feasts.]
God appointed several festivals among the Jews. The Passover was celebrated on the 14th, or rather 15th day of the first month in the ecclesiastical year, which was the seventh of the civil year, and lasted seven days. The Pentecost was celebrated on the fiftieth day after the passover, in memory of the law's being given to Moses on Mount Sinai, fifty days, or seven weeks after the departure out of Egypt. The word is derived from the Greek word [Pentekoste,] which signifies the fiftieth. The Hebrews call it the feast of weeks, Ex 34:22. The feast of trumpets, celebrated on the first day of the civil year, when a trumpet was sounded, to proclaim its commencement, which was in the month {Tisri,} answering to our September, Le 23:24, 25. The new moons, or first days of every month, were, in some sort, a consequence of the feast of trumpets. God ordained that, by giving him the first-fruits of every month they should acknowledge him as the Lord of all their time, and own his providence, by which all times and seasons are ordered. The feast of expiation or atonement was kept on the 10th day of {Tisri} or September: the Hebrews call it Kippur, i.e., pardon or expiation, because it was instituted for the expiation of their sins. The feast of tents or tabernacles was so called, because the Israelites kept it under green tents or arbours, in memory of their dwelling in their passage through the wilderness. It was celebrated on the 15th day of {Tisri,} and continued eight days: the first and last days are the most solemn. Besides the feasts mentioned by Moses, we find the feast of {lots,} or {Purim,} which was celebrated among the Jews of Shushan on the 14th of {Adar,} which answers to our February. The feast of the dedication of the temple, or rather, of the restoration of the temple, which had been profaned by Antiochus Epiphanes, which is thought to be the feast mentioned in the gospel Joh 10:22, was celebrated in the winter. {MoÆ’dim,} properly means assemblies, convened at an appointed time and place.
proclaim <07121> [proclaim]
enter ..................... bring <0935> [When.]
gather <07114> [and shall.]
sheaf <06016> [sheaf. or, handful. Heb. omer. the first fruits.]
This offering was a public acknowledgement of the bounty and goodness of God for the kindly fruits of the earth. From the practice of the people of God, the heathen borrowed a similar one, founded on the same reason.
grain offering <04503> [the meat.]
drink offering <05262> [the drink.]
fourth <07243> [the fourth.]
eat <0398> [eat.]
statute <02708> [it shall be.]
two ....... wave offering ....... two <08147 08573> [two wave.]
yeast <02557> [leaven.]
first fruits <01061> [the first-fruits.]
seven .... lambs <07651 03532> [seven lambs.]
grain offering <04503> [with their.]
male .... a <0259 08163> [one kid.]
two ... lambs <03532 08147> [two lambs.]
wave ......... bread <05130 03899> [wave them.]
Lord ..... holy .... Lord <06944 03068> [holy to.]
On ....... proclaim <07121> [proclaim.]
statute <02708> [a statute.]
To the institution of the feast of pentecost is annexed a repetition of that law, by which they were required to leave the gleanings of their fields, and the corn that grew on the ends of the butts, for the poor. It may come in here as a thing which the priests must take occasion to remind the people of, when they brought their first-fruits, intimating to them, that to obey even in this small matter was better than sacrifice; and that unless they were obedient, their offerings should not be accepted. It also taught them that the joy of harvest should express itself in charity to the poor, who must have their due out of what we have, as well as God his. They that are truly sensible of the mercy they receive from God, will without grudging shew mercy to the poor.
seventh <07637> [In the seventh.]
memorial <02146> [a memorial.]
{Zichron terooÆ’h,} here rendered "a memorial of blowing the trumpets" properly signifies a memorial of triumph or shouting for joy. This festival is generally called the feast of trumpets; and, though the Scriptures have not expressly declared the reason of its celebration, yet, as it fell in the seventh month of the sacred year, which was the first of the civil year, that is, the month {Tisri,} answering to our September, the opinion very generally embraced by both Jews and Christians is, that it was a memorial of the creation of the world, at which "the sons of God shouted for joy," (Job 38:7;) and which is supposed, not altogether without reason, to have been at this season of the year. The month {Tisri} was not only anciently, but still is, reckoned by the Jews the first month of the year; and the feast of tabernacles, kept in this month, was said to be, as it is correctly rendered in the margin, "at the revolution of the year," (Ex 34:22;) importing, that at this season the year had revolved, and was beginning anew. So that this feast was the new year's day, on which the people rejoiced in a grateful remembrance of God's benefits, and implored his blessing for the future year.
tenth <06218> [the tenth.]
humble <06031> [afflict.]
present <07126> [offer.]
humility <06031> [that shall.]
cut off <03772> [he shall be.]
Sabbath .............................. Sabbath <07676> [a sabbath.]
humble <06031> [afflict.]
Sabbath ............................ observe ... Sabbath <07676 07673> [celebrate your sabbath. Heb. rest.]
fifteenth <02568> [The fifteenth.]
Festival .... Shelters <05521 02282> [the feast of tabernacles.]
This feast was celebrated in commemoration of the Israelites' dwelling in tents in the wilderness for forty years; and was kept with greater hilarity than any of the other festivals. Hence, in the Talmud, it is often called {chag,} the feast, by way of excellence; and by Philo, [heorton megisten,] the greatest of the feasts; it was therefore more noticed by the heathen than any other. It is probable that Cecrops borrowed from it the law which he made in Athens, "that the master of every family should after harvest make a feast for his servants, and eat together with them who had taken pains with him in tilling his grounds."
seven <07651> [Seven.]
eighth <08066> [the eighth.]
assembly <06116> [solemn. Heb. day of restraint.]
appointed times <04150> [the feasts.]
<01697> [every thing.]
Sabbaths <07676> [the sabbaths.]
gifts votive offerings ... freewill offerings <04979 05088 05071> [and beside.]
gather <0622> [when.]
first <07223> [on the first.]
branches ....... branches <06529 06057> [the boughs. Heb. fruit.]
trees palm ... branches .... trees <06086 08558 06057> [of palm trees.]
rejoice <08055> [rejoice.]
Numbers 15:1-41
It is very probable, that the transactions recorded in this and the four following chapters took place during the time the Israelites abode in Kadesh (De 1:46.)
make ...................................... create <06213> [will make.]
burnt offering <05930> [a burnt.]
sacrifice <02077> [a sacrifice.]
for discharging <06381> [performing. Heb. separating.]
freewill offering <05071> [or in a free-will.]
feasts <04150> [in your.]
aroma <05207> [a sweet.]
herd <01241> [the herd.]
Under the term {bakar,} are comprehended the ox, heifer, etc; and under {tzon,} are included sheep and goats. The animals enjoined in the Levitical law are the very same which commanded Abraham to offer. (Ge 15:9.) Hence it is evident, that God delivered to the patriarchs an epitome of that law which was afterwards given in detail to Moses, the essence of which consisted in its sacrifices; and these sacrifices were of clean animals, the most perfect, useful, and healthy of all that are brought under the immediate government of man. Gross feeding and ferocious animals were all excluded, as well as all birds of prey.
grain offering <04503> [a meat.]
fourth <07243> [the fourth.]
peace offering <08002> [peace.]
bull <01241> [with a.]
grain offering <04503> [a meat.]
One <0259> [One.]
statute ........................ statute <02708> [an ordinance.]
The oblation before prescribed seems to have been a general acknowledgment from the people at large; but this was an oblation from every one that reaped a harvest: who was required, previously to tasting it himself, to offer a portion of dough as a heave-offering to the Lord. This is supposed to have been given to the priests in their several cities, and not carried to the tabernacle.
cake <02471> [a cake.]
offering ...... raised offering <08641> [the heave-offering.]
This law concerning sins of ignorance, being entirely diverse from one before considered, occasions considerable difficulty. (Le ch. 4.) Some explain that law as relating to sins of commission, this to sins of omission: others explain the one of inadvertent violations of the moral law, and the other of the transgressions of the ceremonial law: and some think that related to the whole nation, this to any one tribe; or that to the bulk of the nation, this to the rulers and elders. The Jews say, that the former law referred to such national transgressions through heedlessness, as consisted with the maintenance of the prescribed worship in the main; but that this especially respected the case of the nation, when through inattention, and the example and authority of wicked rulers, they had turned aside and committed idolatry, or conducted their worship directly contrary to law; yet through a culpable ignorance, and not in presumption. This was evidently the case under several of their kings; and the explanation seems well grounded.
done ............. prepare <06213> [if ought.]
knowledge <05869> [without. Heb. from the eyes. one young bullock.]
grain offering <04503> [with his.]
customary <04941> [manner. or, ordinance. one kid.]
priest <03548> [the priest.]
forgiven ..... unintentional ......................... unintentional <05545 07684> [forgiven them.]
one law <08451 0259> [one law.]
sins <06213> [sinneth. Heb. doeth.]
acts <06213 07311> [doeth ought.]
<07311> [presumptuously. Heb. with an high hand.]
That is, bold, daring, deliberate acts of transgression against the fullest evidence, and in despite of the Divine authority. Such conduct "reproacheth the Lord," as if his commands were needless, unreasonable, and inimical to the happiness of man; his favour were not desirable, or his wrath not to be feared: in short, as if it were more advantageous to rebel against him than to serve him. Such acts admitted of no atonement: the person was condemned to bear his own iniquity, and to be cut off.
insults <01442> [reproacheth.]
despised <0959> [despised.]
iniquity <05771> [his iniquity.]
found ... man <04672 0376> [they found a man.]
This example seems to have been evidently introduced to illustrate the foregoing law. The man despised the word of the Lord, presumptuously broke his commandment, and on this ground was punished with death.
man <0376> [The man.]
stone .... stones <07275 068> [stone him.]
tassels ...... corners ............... tassel .... corners <03671 06734> [fringes in the borders.]
The word {tzitzith} properly denotes an ornament resembling a flower. From ver. 39, we learn that these were emblematical of the commands of God. That there is any analogy between a fringe and a precept, it would be bold to assert; but when a thing is appointed to represent another, no matter how different, that first object becomes the legitimate representative or sign of the other.
remember <02142> [remember.]
follow after ....... own ....... unfaithfulness <08446 0310> [ye seek not.]
unfaithfulness <02181> [go a whoring.]
be holy <06918 01961> [be holy.]
Numbers 28:1--29:40
food <03899> [my bread.]
pleasing aroma <05207 07381> [for a sweet savour unto me. Heb. savour of my rest.]
appointed time <04150> [in their due season.]
The stated sacrifices and service of the tabernacle having, probably, been greatly interrupted for several years, and a new generation having arisen, who were children or minors when the law was given respecting these ordinances; and as they were now about to enter into the promised land, where they must be established and constantly observed; God commands Moses to repeat them to the people in the following order:--1. Daily: the morning and evening sacrifices; a lamb each time. (ver. 3, 4.) 2. Weekly: the sabbath offerings; two lambs of a year old. (ver. 9, 10.) 3. Monthly: at the beginning of each month, two young bullocks, one ram, and seven lambs of a year old, and a kid for a sin offering. (ver. 11-15.) 4. Annual: (1) the Passover to last seven days; the offerings, two young bullocks, one ram, seven lambs of a year old, and a he-goat. (ver. 16-25.) (2) The day of first-fruits: the sacrifices the same as on the beginning of the month. (ver. 26-31.)
two ... lambs <08147 03532> [two lambs.]
day <03117> [day by day. Heb. in a day.]
second <08145> [and the other.]
late afternoon <06153> [at even. Heb. between the two evenings.]
continual <08548> [a continual.]
instituted <06213> [was ordained.]
holy <06944> [in the holy.]
pour <05258> [to be poured.]
burnt offering ........ burnt offering <05930> [the burnt.]
continual <08548> [the continual.]
first <07218> [in the beginnings.]
two young <08147 01241> [two young.]
burnt offering <05930> [for a burnt.]
continual <08548> [beside.]
two young <08147 01241> [two young.]
unblemished <08549> [they shall.]
seventh <07637> [on the seventh.]
do <06213> [ye shall do.]
day <03117> [in the day.]
two young <08147 01241> [two young.]
Bishop Patrick observes that no peace offerings are appointed in this chapter, which were chiefly for the benefit of the offerers, and therefore in them they were left more to themselves; but burnt offerings, which were purely for the honour of God, and confessions of his dominion, and which figured evangelical piety and devotion, by which the soul is wholly offered up to God, in the flames of holy love; and sin offerings, which were typical of Christ's sacrifice of himself, by which we and our services are perfected and sanctified.
unblemished <08549> [without blemish.]
seventh <07637> [the seventh.]
That is, the month Tisri, the seventh month of their ecclesiastical year, but the first of their civil year, answering to our September. This, which was their new year's day, was a time of great festivity, and ushered in by the blowing of trumpets; whence it was also called the feast of blowing the trumpets. In imitation of this Jewish festival, different nations began the new year with sacrifices and festivity. The ancient Egyptians did so; and the Persians also celebrated their {nawee rooz,} or new year's day, which they held on the vernal equinox, and which "lasted ten days, during which all ranks seemed to participate in one general joy. The rich sent presents to the poor; all were dressed in their holiday clothes; all kept open house; and religious processions, music, dancing, a species of theatrical exhibition, rustic sports, and other pastimes, presented a continued round of varied amusement. Even the dead, and the ideal beings were not forgotten; rich viands being placed on the tops of houses and high towers, on the flavour of which the {Peris,} and spirits of their departed heroes and friends, were supposed to feast." After the Mohammedan conquest of Persia, the celebration of this period sensibly declined, and at last totally ceased, till the time of Jelaladdin (about A.D. 1082), who, coming to the crown at the vernal equinox, re-established the ancient festival, which has ever since been celebrated with pomp and acclamations.
first day ..... month <02320 0259> [the first day of the month.]
The monthly sacrifices were regulated by the new moons; and it is probable that the solemn sacrifices were appointed by God, to prevent the idolatry which was usual among the heathen at this period; who expressed the most extravagant rejoicings on the first appearance of the new moon. Moses, however, used the return of the moon only as one of the most natural and convenient measures of time; and appointed sacrifices to Jehovah, to prevent the Israelites from falling into the idolatries of their heathen neighbours. In the serene climate of Arabia and Judea, its first faint crescent is, for the most part, visible to all.
blowing <08643> [blowing.]
burnt offering ......... burnt offering <05930> [the burnt.]
daily <08548> [the daily.]
prescribed <04941> [according.]
tenth <06218> [on the tenth.]
humble <06031> [afflict.]
without blemish <08549> [without blemish.]
purification offering ...... purification <02403> [beside.]
continual <08548> [the continual.]
fifteenth day .............................. days <03117 02568> [the fifteenth day.]
This was the feast of Tabernacles, kept in commemoration of their dwelling in tents in the wilderness for forty years. The first and last days were to be kept as sabbaths, on which there were solemn assemblies; and for seven days sacrifices were offered. On the other festivals, two bullocks sufficed, (ch. 28:11, 19, 27), and on the festival at the beginning of this month, only one was appointed; but, on the first day of this festival, thirteen young bullocks were appointed; and so on each successive day, with the decrease of only one bullock, till on the seventh day, there were only seven, making in all seventy bullocks. The lambs, and the rams also, were in a double proportion to the number sacrificed at any other festival. This was an expensive service; but more easy at this time of the year than any other, as Bishop Patrick observes, because now their barns were full, and their wine-presses overflowed; and their hearts might well be supposed to be more enlarged than at other times, in thankfulness to God for the multitude of his mercies. The Jewish doctors give this reason for the daily diminution of the number of the bullocks: the whole number, say they, was according to the languages of the seventy nations of the world; and the diminution of one every day signified, that there should be a gradual diminution of those nations till all things were brought under the government of the Messiah; in whose days "no sacrifices shall remain, but those of thanksgiving, prayer, and praise."
thirteen young bulls <07969 01241 06499> [thirteen young bullocks.]
At this feast thirteen bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs, were to be offered. It is worthy of remark, that in each of the seven days of this feast one bullock is to be abated, so that on the seventh day (ver. 32) they were to offer seven bullocks, but the rams and lambs were every day alike; which appointment might signify a diminishing and wearing away of the legal offerings, to lead them to the spiritual and reasonable service, by presenting their own bodies a living sacrifice, holy, and acceptable unto God. .# Ro 12:1
prescribed <04941> [after the manner.]
That is, after the manner already prescribed.
prescribed <04941> [after the manner.]
drink offering <05262> [drink offering.]
eighth day <03117 08066> [eighth day.]
Though this day was properly a distinct festival, and esteemed the chief or high day of the feast, yet fewer sacrifices are appointed for it than for any of the foregoing seven. On every one of them two rams and fourteen lambs were offered; but on this day there were but half as many; and whereas seven bullocks were the fewest that were offered on any of those days, on this there was only one. At this feast, there was an extraordinary ceremony of which the rabbins inform us, namely, the drawing water out of the pool of Siloam, and pouring it, mixed with wine, on the sacrifice as it lay on the altar. This they are said to have done with such expressions of joy, that it became a common proverb, "He that never saw the rejoicing of drawing of water, never saw rejoicing in all his life." The Jews pretend to ground this custom on the following passage of Isaiah, (ch. 12:3,) "With joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation;" and to this ceremony Jesus is supposed to refer, when "in the last day, the great day of the feast, he stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink: he that believeth on me, as the Scripture saith, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water," (Joh 7:37, 38:) thereby calling off the people from their carnal mirth and festive and pompous ceremonies, to seek spiritual refreshment for their minds.
[do, or, offer. in your set feasts.]
It appears from the account in these two chapters, that there were annually offered to God, at the public charge, independently of a prodigious number of voluntary, vow, and trespass offerings, 15 goats, 21 kids, 72 rams, 132 bullocks, and 1,101 lambs. But how little is all this compared with the lambs slain every year at the passover. Cestius, the Roman general, asked the priests how many persons had come to Jerusalem at their annual festivals: the priests, numbering the people by the lambs that had been slain, said, "twenty-five myriads, 5,000, and 600."
vows <05088> [beside your vows.]
Deuteronomy 16:1-22
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.]
