It. The land where Moses was speaking, which had been already conquered, was no less under the obligation of paying the first-fruits, &c., than Chanaan, and the parts of Syria which were promised to the Israelites. (Haydock) --- All the products of the earth seem to have been liable to be offered, ... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Syrian. Laban. See Genesis xxvii. (Challoner) --- Hebrew, "My father was a Syrian, poor, (or ready to perish) and he went down," &c. The ancestors of Jacob had, in effect, come from beyond the Euphrates, and he had dwelt in Mesopotamia for twenty years. But the translation of the Septuagint see... [ Continue Reading ]
_Terror. Septuagint, "with surprising visions," (Hebrew) or "with astonishing prodigies," &c. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_God, with profound humility, acknowledging that all comes from him, (Haydock) and praying for a continuance of his fatherly protection. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Feast. The Jews could not yet be required with propriety to raise themselves to delights purely spiritual, chap. xii. 7. Strabo (x.) observes, that the Greeks and barbarians accompanied their sacrifices with feasting and music, which served to take off their thoughts from worldly concerns, and gave... [ Continue Reading ]
_Third. It has been remarked (chap. xiv. 28., and Leviticus xxvii. 30,) that the Jews gave two tithes every year, the second was for feasts at Jerusalem, or on the third year at home, if there was not also a third tithe due on that year. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Taken. Hebrew, "burnt." (Calmet) --- I have brought all that was due, (Tirinus) so that no more can be found in my house than what the fire would have spared, if it had been thrown into it._... [ Continue Reading ]
Mourning. It was then unlawful to taste what was set apart for the Lord, and even to touch a thing, at that time, would render it unclean, Osee ix. 4. Others explain it thus: I have not eaten, how much soever I was distressed; or, I eat it with a cheerful heart. But these interpretations seem unnatu... [ Continue Reading ]
_This day. In this last solemn harangue of Moses, the covenant between God and his people was ratified. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER XXVI. _ To his own praise. Hebrew, Septuagint, &c., "higher...in praise, reputation, and glory." (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]