_Madianites. The five princes, (ver. 8) had joined Sehon, in his attack upon the Hebrews, Josue xiii. 21. They had united with the Moabites against them, and had been most active in perverting the people of God. They had even the wicked Balaam still among them, who was bent upon destruction; so that... [ Continue Reading ]
_Trumpets. These are the holy vessels just specified, though some believe that he carried the ark, which was done in some wars, Josue vi. 1., and 1 Kings iv. 5. Priests always sounded the trumpet, Deuteronomy xx. 2. Phinees was appointed general of this expedition to reward him for his zeal against... [ Continue Reading ]
_Recem; by which name Petra, the capital of Arabia Petrea, is known. This petty king probably took his title from this city, over which he presided. (Calmet) --- All the five had been, perhaps, tributary to Sehon, Josue xiii. 21. (Haydock) --- Sur, the wretched parent of Cozbi, chap. xxv. 15. (Calme... [ Continue Reading ]
_Possessions. Literally, "all that they could, they plundered." It seems they did not advance very far into the country; or many saved themselves by flight; for we find the Madianites soon powerful enough to enslave the Hebrews, Judges vi. 1._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Castles. Hebrew tiroth, means also, "palaces, or shepherds' huts." (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Camp. They had sent news of their victory, and of the plunder which they were bringing to the camp, (Haydock) to be divided equally among their fellow soldiers, when they were met by Moses, &c., who came to congratulate with them, and to examine how they executed their commission, as well as to adm... [ Continue Reading ]
_Women. They had received no positive orders respecting them, and it was customary to spare their lives. But these dissolute women had rendered themselves unworthy of such indulgence, (Calmet) and the sight of them raised the just indignation of Moses, who was afraid lest their manners should corrup... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER XXXI. _ The sin of Phogor. The sin committed in the worship of Beelphegor. (Challoner) --- Many of the prostitutes had returned home, being terrified at the slaughter of their queen, Cozbi. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
Of children. Women and children, ordinarily speaking, were not to be killed in war, Deuteronomy xx. 14. But the great lord of life and death was pleased to order it otherwise in the present case, in detestation of the wickedness of this people, who by the counsel of Balaam, had sent their women amon... [ Continue Reading ]
_Shall be. Hebrew, "purify yourselves and your captives on the," &c. The girls, and all the booty, might probably be rendered unclean by the presence of a corpse, &c., chap xix. 14._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Expiation, with which even the vessels which had been through the fire, were to be purified, or washed, as the Hebrew, Septuagint, &c., observe. (Calmet) --- Moses perhaps gave this ordinance by word of mouth, on this occasion, (Menochius) though something similar be prescribed before, Leviticus vi... [ Continue Reading ]
_Equally. Those who had been in battle, had about a 50th part more than the rest. They gave the first-fruits to the priests, while those in the camp presented theirs to the Levites. Other rules were afterwards observed. See 1 Kings xxx. 24., and 2 Machabees viii. 28. The Rabbins assign the greatest... [ Continue Reading ]
_Spoil. Hebrew, "the remains of the spoil," which had not been consumed by the 12,000. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Fruits. Hebrew, "a heave-offering to," &c., ver. 29._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wanting. Septuagint, "all were unanimous," (Origen,) and "all answered to their names." Thus God was pleased to shew, that his Providence had directed the battle. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Garters. Septuagint, "bracelets," put on the arm, 2 Kings i. 10. Sometimes the Eastern nations wore large precious rings on their legs. --- Tablets. Hebrew tsamid, an ornament of the hand, Genesis xxiv. 22. The armillæ, or viriliæ, were worn by men near the shoulder. --- Bracelets, ( dextralia) for... [ Continue Reading ]