The eldest sons, as they are mentioned first, Exodus vi. 23. --- Censers. On the same evening of their consecration. --- Fire. Not taken from the altar of holocausts, chap. vi. 9. Whether they neglected to do so out of respect for the miraculous fire, or out of thoughtlessness and inattention, their... [ Continue Reading ]
_Lord. Near the altar of incense, being stricken, as it were with lightning, so that their garments were not injured. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Spoken, by this exemplary judgment. (Haydock) --- We do not find the exact words recorded before: but there are some equivalent, shewing that God requires a particular sanctity in his ministers. (Chap. viii. 35; Exodus xix. 22.) The altar shall be sanctified by my glory; (Exodus xxix. 43,) may be c... [ Continue Reading ]
_Brethren; cousins. These were ordered to bury the priests, as Aaron and his family were employed about the altar, (Haydock) and could not perform the office without contracting a legal uncleanness. (Josephus) (Tirinus)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Uncover not. Take not off your mitres; (Septuagint) let not your hair grow long, (Chaldean) as the Egyptians do in mourning, nor, yet shave your heads, like the priests of Isis. This God forbids, chap. xxi. 5. And Ezechiel, (xliv. 20,) probably with reference to this law, says, Neither shall they s... [ Continue Reading ]
_On you. So that you cannot now join in the funeral, as there are so few anointed. (Haydock) --- On other occasions, priests are allowed to mourn, chap. xxi._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Drunk. Hebrew shekar; which the Septuagint and Vulgate commonly translate by sicera, any strong liquor, (St. Jerome) particularly palm-wine. (St. Chrysostom in Isai. v. 11.) Jonathan says old wine. Hecateus assures us, that the Jews drink no wine at all in the temple. But the Rabbins admit of some... [ Continue Reading ]
_Sacrifice, of flour or bread. A tent was undoubtedly erected, where the priests might take the necessary refreshments of meat and sleep, during the days of their service._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Place, at home. The Septuagint translate, "in the holy place;" understanding that these sacrifices for sin were to be eaten in the court of the tabernacle. Malvenda allows, that the children of the priests, and their wives, might come thither to eat the parts of the peace-offerings allotted to them... [ Continue Reading ]
_Sons. Samaritan and Septuagint add, "and thy daughters." The male children were allowed to partake of the sin-offerings: those of peace, were given also to females._... [ Continue Reading ]
_While, &c. Hebrew, "and Moses sought diligently for," &c. This goat had been offered the same day, for the sins of the priest and of the people, chap. ix. 15. Aaron had not taken the parts allotted to his family, being too much grieved, and perhaps thinking that they could not eat all. (Calmet) ---... [ Continue Reading ]
_People. Offering the sacrifices of expiation, as mediators between them and God._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Places. This is not a victim, the blood of which is to be poured out in the holy place, and the flesh consumed with fire. (Calmet) --- You ought, or might lawfully have eaten it, chap. vi. 25._... [ Continue Reading ]
_How, &c. My children are slain. Hebrew, "and if I had eaten the sin-offering to-day, would it have been agreeable to the Lord?" (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER X.... [ Continue Reading ]