_Dan. This division is very different from that of Josue, and was never literally executed, being rather of a mystical nature. The limits are not marked out, as each lot was equal. (Calmet) See chap. xlv. 1., and xlvii. 14. (Haydock) --- By the twelve tribes all the glorified saints are meant. No ci... [ Continue Reading ]
_Apart, for the Levitical tribe and the prince. (Calmet) --- As the first-born and things which spring first, so also the land consecrated to the Lord is called first-fruits. (Worthington) --- Thousand cubits (chap. xlv. 1.) or 12,500 paces, (Haydock) allowing two cubits for each. This would not rea... [ Continue Reading ]
_Astray, &c. By this we see, that in the worst of times God always preserves some of the priests from going astray; an that the synagogue never fell so universally into idolatry, but that a remnant was still left free from this corruption. (Challoner)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ten. Their city was only 18,000 cubits in circumference, ver. 16._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Profane, where servants of the priests may reside. (Calmet) --- On the north and south, (Haydock) 1000 cubits broad and 25,000 long were left for fields, gardens, &c. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Five. Hebrew has, "five five hundred:" but one five is properly omitted in several manuscripts and in all the ancient versions. (Kennicott) --- Four thousand five hundred cubits was the length and breadth of the town and temple, which were 18,000 cubits round, (Calmet) or so many reeds, which would... [ Continue Reading ]
_Suburbs, separating the Levites from laics, different from what is mentioned [in] ver. 15._... [ Continue Reading ]
_As the, &c. They shall not be alienated, as some might infer from its being said to be profane, which term is used because it was the habitation of laymen._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Israel. People from all parts might serve the Levites. This tribe was not to engage in labourious or sordid employments, being attached to the service of the Lord, and bound to instruct others. But this was more perfectly fulfilled in the Christian Church, where the clergy enjoy great immunities, a... [ Continue Reading ]
_City, where the Levites and their servants, artisans, &c., dwelt. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thereof. The domains of the prince touched the limits of Juda on the north, and of Benjamin on the south, as the portion of Levi did also. The prince occupied the east and west square of this division. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER XLVIII.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Inheritance. Hebrew nachal, signifies also "torrent;" and St. Jerome seems to prefer this meaning, as he explains it of the torrent which goes by Rhinocorura, and is commonly supposed to be the southern boundary. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Out, or gates. (Haydock) --- There were three on each of the four sides. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord is there. This name is here given to the city; that is, the Church of Christ; because the Lord is always with her till the end of the world, Matthew xxviii. 20. (Challoner) --- He always adorns the Church triumphant [in heaven]; (Apocalypse xxii.) but has deserted the synagogue, Matthew xx... [ Continue Reading ]