_Porters, who guarded the temple, being stationed at the four gates. They were selected from the families of Core and Merari, (ver. 19.) and were under (Calmet) five captains, two being placed at the gate leading from the palace, ver. 16. (Haydock) --- How many were appointed to follow the direction... [ Continue Reading ]
_Him. Obededom, by giving him a more numerous posterity, than any here mentioned, ver. 8. See 2 Kings vi. 11. (Calmet) (Tirinus)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Semei, who is called Semeias, ver. 4., and 7. The last syllable is not lost in Hebrew or Septuagint. (Haydock) --- Valour. Their post was of a military nature, and required strength. Josephus says, some of the gates could hardly be shut by twenty men._... [ Continue Reading ]
_He had not a first-born. That is, his first-born was either dead or not fit to be chief, and therefore he made Semri the chief, (Worthington; Challoner) who was the second son (Tirinus) of Hosa. Hebrew, "for, or though he was not the first-born, yet his father made him chief." Septuagint add, "of t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Lord. The companies succeeded each other every sabbath, but the chiefs were not changed. (Calmet) --- The office of these men was most noble. From them were selected treasurers, overseers, prefects, &c., ver. 16-32. (Tirinus) --- The lot decided only between the heads of families. (Du Hamel)_... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER XXVI. _ Selemias: the first syllable is frequently neglected in Hebrew, chap. iv. 24. (Tirinus) --- Zacharias was the first-born of Meselemia, ver. 2. (Haydock) --- A very. Hebrew, "a wise counsellor." (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_And. Protestants, "To Obededom southward, and to his sons, the house of Asuppim." (Haydock) --- This term may denote the "revenue;" where the offerings, destined for the support of the priests, were collected, Exodus xxxiv. 22. We find the same word used for the offerings received at the door of th... [ Continue Reading ]
_Which. Hebrew Shalecheth, (Calmet) or ssolcoth, (Haydock) "which leads or casts out" the filth from the temple. (Villalpand) (Isaias vi. 13.) (Menochius) --- But there were conduits for that purpose; and the meaning of the Vulgate is more accurate. (Calmet) --- The palace lay below the tabernacle a... [ Continue Reading ]
_Six. This gate was the most frequented, (Calmet) and the king entered by it. --- Council. Hebrew asupim, as [in] ver. 15, "for the offerings two and two," (Haydock) distinct from the porters._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Cell. Hebrew is not clearer: "at the chamber" (Calmet; 'at the house of the instruments' for sacrifice; (Menochius) at Parbar.; Protestants) of the west, at the ascent, two at each chamber." (Calmet) --- Protestants, "at the causey, and two at Parbar." This term is not in Hebrew. It resembles Parva... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now. Hebrew and Septuagint add, "the Levites:" the latter translate Achias, "their brethren." (Haydock) --- Vessels. Or vessels of the holy places, or of things holy. Vasa sanctorum. (Challoner) --- Septuagint, "of the consecrated treasures," chap. xxviii. 12. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ledan is called Leedan, (chap. xxiii. 8.) son of Gerson. His first-born was Jahiel. This person is here styled Jehieli, and was chief of the Gersonites; at least the eldest branch._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Brethren. Hebrew and Septuagint, "brother." In effect, we find that Joel was the son of Leedan, chap. xxiii. --- Zathan, whose name ends in m both in Hebrew and Septuagint, may perhaps be his grandson. We often find sons in Hebrew when only one is specified. Jehieli might adopt his two brothers; so... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ozielites. These are all the sons of Caath, chap. vi. 18._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Moses. Many are passed over; (Calmet) or Subael acted by his children. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Selemith was to guard the treasure, taken in war. (Calmet) --- Dedicated. Literally, "sanctified," by designating for holy uses. (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wars. Hebrew, "out of the spoils won in battles, which they had set apart as sacred, to support the house," &c. Septuagint, "that the building of the house of the Lord might not be retarded." (Haydock) --- Yet these spoils remained untouched by Solomon, who imitated this piety, as others did, 3 Kin... [ Continue Reading ]
_Samuel, while he was at the head of affairs. (Menochius) --- Joab. Though these three were not very religious, they concurred in promoting the splendour of the public worship, as that would at least procure them applause. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Them. Hebrew, "for officers ( shoterim, "scribes," (Haydock) whose power was very great.; Calmet) and judges." The former are often placed first, as more honourable, so that they were not mere heralds or executioners. The administration of justice was chiefly in the hands of the Levitical tribe, ch... [ Continue Reading ]
_Beyond. Hebrew meheber means, "at the passage, or on either side." Protestants, "on this side Jordan, westward." This would seem to designate the countries nearer Jerusalem. (Haydock) --- But westward may also be understood with reference to Ruben, &c., so as to mean the parts along the river. ---... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jazer, a city of Gad, in Galaad. (Adrichomius) (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]