Numbers 3:12
When God miraculously destroyed all the first-born of the Egyptians, (Ex 12:29,) he spared those of the Israelites; and, in commemoration of that event, he was pleased to appoint that all the first-born males "should be set apart unto himself." (Ex 13:12-16.) God is here pleased to relinquish this claim, and to appoint the whole tribe of Levi to attend his immediate service in their stead.
Numbers 3:45
Numbers 11:13
Numbers 11:15
me like .... kill ... immediately <02026> [kill me.]
see <07200> [let me not.]
trouble <07451> [my wretchedness.]
Two of Dr. Kennicott's manuscripts read, "their wretchedness." The Jerusalem Targum has the same, and adds, by way of explanation, "who are thine own people."
Numbers 11:29
jealous <07065> [Enviest.]
put <05414> [would.]
Lord's ....... Lord <03068> [that the.]
Numbers 22:11
able ... defeat <03898 03201> [able to overcome them. Heb. prevail in fighting against them.]
Numbers 22:17
I ... honor <03513> [I will promote.]
do <06213> [and I will do.]
<03212> [come.]
curse .... nation <06895 05971> [curse me.]
An erroneous opinion prevailed, both in those days and in after ages, that some men had the power, by the help of their gods, to devote, not only particular persons, but cities and whole armies, to destruction. This they are said to have done sometimes by words of imprecation; of which there was a set form among some people, which ’schines calls [diorizomenen aran ,] "the determinate curse." Macrobius has a whole chapter on this subject. He gives us two of the ancient forms used in reference to the destruction of Carthage; the first, which was only pronounced by the dictator, or general, was to call over the protecting deities to their side, and the other to devote the city to destruction, which they were supposed to have abandoned. The Romans held, that no city would be taken till its tutelary god had forsaken it; or if it could be taken, it would be unlawful, as it would be sacrilege to lead the gods into captivity. Virgil intimates, that Troy was destroyed because {Excessere omnes adytis, arisque relictis dii, quibus imperium hoc steterat,} "All the gods, by whose assistance the empire had hitherto been preserved, forsook their altars and temples." See more on this subject in Dr. A. Clarke, Bp. Patrick, and Burder's Oriental Customs, No. 734.
Numbers 23:7
Then ... uttered <05375> [he took.]
oracle <04912> [parable.]
The word {mashal,} which as a verb is to rule, have authority, and also to compare, as a noun signifies whatever is expressed in parabolic or figurative language. All these oracular speeches of Balaam are in hemistich metre in the original. They are highly dignified and sublime; and may be considered as immediate poetic productions of the Spirit of God. (ch. 24:2.)
Aram <0758> [Aram.]
<03212> [Come.]
denounce Israel <02194 03478> [defy Israel.]
Numbers 23:11
Numbers 23:27
<03212> [Come.]
<03474> [peradventure.]
Numbers 28:2
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.)
