_Sanctify unto me every first-born. Sanctification in this place means, that the first-born males of the Hebrews should be deputed to the ministry in the divine worship: and the first-born of beasts to be given for a sacrifice. (Challoner) --- Sanctify, set apart. (Menochius) --- Openeth, the first... [ Continue Reading ]
_Corn. Hebrew Abib; which was styled Nisan after the Babylonian captivity. At this time, peculiar names were not yet given to the months, by the Hebrews or Egyptians. (Calmet) --- They were distinguished by their respective order, productions, or appearances. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_When. These regulations did not therefore take place in the desert. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_And it, &c. The festivals appointed by God and his Church, naturally remind us of the favours which we have received, and help us to meditate on the law. (Haydock) --- The Jews, understanding the precept literally, write verses taken from this chapter, and Deuteronomy vi. and xi., upon parchment, a... [ Continue Reading ]
_Price. No other option is given, as the Levites were selected for the ministry. (Haydock) --- The first offspring of impure animals, were to be redeemed or killed; those of the pure were to be offered in sacrifice, Numbers xviii. 15. (Philo.) Dogs, cats, poultry, &c. were to be slain, Deuteronomy x... [ Continue Reading ]
_To-morrow. At any future period, Matthew vi. 2. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hardened. Hebrew, "by himself," or by his own malice. (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_It. This ordinance shall cause thee never to forget the goodness of God. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Lest. God maketh use of precautions, to shew the free-will of man. (Worthington) --- The Philistines had before made a great slaughter of the Ephraimites, 1 Paralipomenon vii. 21. The Chanaanites would also be ready to oppose the Hebrews, if they had attempted to enter by the road of Pelusium, and... [ Continue Reading ]
_Armed, in order of battle. Hebrew chamushim, "by fives," or in five battalions. (Josue i. 14; Judges viii. 11.) (Calmet) --- Calvin asks where the Hebrews could procure arms, as if to cavil with this translation. But surely they might get them in the same manner as the vessels of gold; and they und... [ Continue Reading ]
_Joseph's. This attention to the dead is commended, Hebrews xi. (Worthington) --- St. Stephen assures us, that the bones of the other patriarchs were deposited at Sichen; and we may conclude, that they were transported on this occasion by their respective families, Acts vii. 16._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Etham. A city on the banks of the Red Sea, giving its name to one of the gulfs, which the Greeks called after the city of Heropolis. (Pliny, Natural History vi. 29.) The Septuagint translate, "They encamped at Othon, which is near the desert;" and (Numbers xxxii. 6,) the Hebrews marched three days... [ Continue Reading ]
_Never. From the station of Etham; or, if we follow St. Jerome, from that of Socoth, or even from Ramesses, according to Bonfrere, till the passage of the Jordan, when the ark supplied its want, Josue iii. 11. This cloud assumed different appearances, as the exigencies of the Hebrews required. It wa... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER XIII.... [ Continue Reading ]