All Israel — Namely, by the heads or elders of the several tribes, who were to communicate these discourses to all the people. In the wilderness — In the plain of Moab, as may appear by comparing this with Deuteronomy 1:5, and Numbers 22:1, and Deuteronomy 34:8. The word Suph here used does not sign... [ Continue Reading ]
There are eleven days journey — This is added to shew that the reason why the Israelites, in so many years were advanced no farther from Horeb, than to these plains, was not the distance of the places but because of their rebellions. Kadesh — barnea — Which was not far from the borders of Canaan.... [ Continue Reading ]
The eleventh month — Which was but a little before his death. All that the Lord had given him in commandment — Which shews not only that what he now delivered was in substance the same with what had formerly been commanded, but that God now commanded him to repeat it. He gave this rehearsal and exho... [ Continue Reading ]
Og — His palace or mansion — house was at Astaroth, and he was slain at Edrei.... [ Continue Reading ]
To the mount of the Amorites — That is, to the mountainous country where the Amorites dwelt, which is opposed to the plain, where others of them dwelt. And this is the first mentioned, because it was in the borders of the land.... [ Continue Reading ]
Before you — Heb. Before your faces; it is open to your view, and to your possession; there is no impediment in the way.... [ Continue Reading ]
At that time — That is, about that time, namely, a little before their coming to Horeb.... [ Continue Reading ]
Your burden — The trouble of ruling and managing so perverse a people. Your strife — Your contentions among yourselves, for the determnination whereof the elders were appointed.... [ Continue Reading ]
Officers — Inferior officers, that were to attend upon the superior magistrates, and to execute their decrees.... [ Continue Reading ]
The stranger — That converseth or dealeth with himn. To Such God would have justice equally adtninistred as to his own people, partly for the honour of religion, and partly for the interest which every man hath in matters of common right.... [ Continue Reading ]
Respect persons — Heb. Not know, or acknowledge faces, that is, not give sentence according to the outward qualities of the person, as he is poor or rich, your friend or enemy, but purely according to the merit of the cause. For which reason some of the Grecian law — givers ordered that the judges s... [ Continue Reading ]
All the things which ye shall do — I delivered unto you, and especially unto your judges, all the laws, statutes, and judgments revealed unto me by the lord in Horeb.... [ Continue Reading ]
Eshcol — That is, of grapes, so called from the goodly cluster of grapes which they brought from thence.... [ Continue Reading ]
Greater — In number and strength and valour.... [ Continue Reading ]
Bare thee — Or, carried thee, as a father carries his weak and tender child in his arms, through difficulties and dangers, gently leading you according as you are able to go, and sustaining you by his power and goodness.... [ Continue Reading ]
Ye did not believe the Lord — So they could not enter in, because of unbelief. It was not any other sin shut them out of Canaan, but their disbelief of that promise, which was typical of gospel grace: to signify that no sin will ruin us but unbelief, which is a sin against the remedy; and therefore... [ Continue Reading ]
Your words — That is to say, your murmurings, your unthankful, impatient, distrustful and rebellious speeches.... [ Continue Reading ]
Save Caleb — Under whom Joshua is comprehended, though not here expressed, because he was not now to be one of the people, but to be set over them as a chief governor.... [ Continue Reading ]
For your sakes — Upon occasion of your wickedness and perverseness, by which you provoked me to speak unadvisedly.... [ Continue Reading ]
Who standeth — Who is now thy servant.... [ Continue Reading ]
As bees — As bees which being provoked come out of their hives in great numbers, and with great fury pursue their adversary and disturber.... [ Continue Reading ]