_Camp; in the midst of which God had fixed his tabernacle. See Leviticus xvi. 16. Some pretend that these unclean persons were only excluded from the camp of the Lord, and from that of the Levites, which occupied 2000 cubits round the tabernacle. But God will not permit any of the camp to be defiled... [ Continue Reading ]
_It. Hebrew, "their camps, in the midst of which I dwell." (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_To commit, against one another, ver. 7. (St. Augustine, q. 9.) When the thing is secret, so that the judges cannot take cognizance of it, the offender must nevertheless abide by the decision of the priest. Moses condemns him who had stolen an ox to restore it with another, or even to give five oxen... [ Continue Reading ]
_Shall confess. This confession and satisfaction, ordained in the old law, was a figure of the sacrament of penance. (Challoner) --- A special confession of their sin, with satisfaction, and a sacrifice, are required. So Christ orders us to lay open our consciences to his priests, St. John. xx., &c.... [ Continue Reading ]
_But if. Moses does not mention this case, Leviticus vi. 2, 5. Here he determines that the heirs, if known, must be entitled to the restitution. A Hebrew could not die without an heir; but a proselyte might, and then restitution was to be made to God. The Rabbins say, that when the person injured wa... [ Continue Reading ]
_First-fruits; ( teruman,) a term which comprises also voluntary oblations of all sorts, and the parts of the victims which belong to the priests; unless the person offering expressed a different intention. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
The spirit of jealousy, &c. This ordinance was designed to clear the innocent, and to prevent jealous husbands from doing mischief to their wives: as likewise to give all a horror of adultery, by punishing it in so remarkable a manner. (Challoner) --- The spirit of jealousy, of fear, &c., denotes th... [ Continue Reading ]
_Measure, ( sati). Hebrew and Septuagint, "epha," of which the measure was only one-third. (Calmet) --- Oil, &c. These were rejected in sacrifices for sin, Leviticus v. 11. Jealous husbands have no sentiments of commiseration, or of sweetness; (Haydock) nor can any experience the emotions of joy, wh... [ Continue Reading ]
_Holy water, destined for sacred uses, which is called most bitter, ver. 18, (Menochius) and cursed, (ver. 22,) on account of the imprecations used to detect the guilty. (Worthington) --- Earth, to shew the woman, that if she had been unfaithful, she deserved to be trodden upon as dung, Ecclesiastic... [ Continue Reading ]
_Adjure. The woman was put to her oath. (Josephus) (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Curse. Hebrew, "an object of execration, and an oath," &c., so that people can wish no greater misfortune to befall any one, than what thou shalt endure. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Amen. Our Saviour often uses this form, to confirm what he says, verily, truly. The woman gives her assent to what had been proposed, "so be it." (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Book. Hebrew sepher, may also denote a board covered with wax, which was used as one of the most ancient modes of writing. (Calmet) --- Josephus says, the priest wrote the name of God on parchment, and washed it out in the bitter waters._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Up. Hebrew, "and the water, which causeth the malediction, shall enter into her, bitter." According to Josephus, the jealous husband threw first a handful of the gomer of barley flour, upon the altar, and gave the rest to the priest; and after the other ceremonies were finished, the woman drunk the... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER V. _ Through her. Hebrew, "into her," exerting all their efficacy._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Children, that her husband may love her the more, and she may receive some compensation, for the stain thrown upon her character. (Menochius) --- We do not read in Scripture that any was ever subjected to this trial. The method of giving a bill of divorce was more easy. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
Blameless. To act in conformity with God's injunctions could not be reprehensible. But it would have been certainly criminal to tempt God in this manner, in order to discover a secret offence, if he had not authorized it expressly. If the husband wished to avoid the displeasure of God, he was bound... [ Continue Reading ]