He that is wounded — A phrase denoting an eunuch. Shall not enter into the congregation of the Lord — Shall not be admitted to honours and offices either in the church or commonwealth of Israel; and so the congregation of the Lord doth not here signify, the body of the people, but the society of the... [ Continue Reading ]
The congregation — Taking the word as in the former verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
For ever — This seems to note the perpetuity of this law, that it should be inviolably observed in all succeeding ages.... [ Continue Reading ]
They met you not with bread and water — As the manner of those times was to wait and provide for strangers and travellers, which was the more necessary, because in those times and countries, there were no public houses of entertainment. Their fault then was unmercifulness to strangers and afflicted... [ Continue Reading ]
Thou shalt not seek their peace — That is, make no contracts either by marriages or leagues, or commerce with them, but rather constantly keep a jealous eye over them, as enemies who will watch every opportunity to ensnare or disturb thee. This counsel was now the more necessary, because a great par... [ Continue Reading ]
Thou wast a stranger — And didst receive habitation, protection and provision from them a long time, which kindness thou must not forget for their following persecution. It is ordinary with men, that one injury blots out the remembrance of twenty courtesies; but God doth not deal so with us, nor wil... [ Continue Reading ]
In their third generation — Supposing their grandfather, or great — grandfather turned proselyte, and the children continue in that faith received by such ancestors.... [ Continue Reading ]
Keep from every wicked thing — Then especially take heed, because that is a time of confusion and licentiousness; when the laws of God and man cannot be heard for the noise of arms; because the success of thy arms depends upon God's blessing, which wicked men have no reason to expect; and because th... [ Continue Reading ]
Cover — To prevent the annoyance of ourselves or others; to preserve and exercise modesty and natural honesty; and principally that by such outward rites they might be innured to the greater reverence of the Divine Majesty, and the greater caution to avoid all real and moral uncleanness.... [ Continue Reading ]
The servant — Of such as belonged to the Canaanites, or other neighbouring nations, because if he had lived in remote countries, it is not probable that he would flee so far to avoid his master, or that his master would follow him so far to recover him. For the Canaanites this sentence was most just... [ Continue Reading ]
No whore — No common prostitute, such as were tolerated and encouraged by the Gentiles, and used even in their religious worship. Not that such practices were allowed to the strangers among them, as is evident from many scriptures and reasons, but that it was in a peculiar manner, and upon special r... [ Continue Reading ]
The hire of a whore — This is opposed to the practice of the Gentiles, who allowed both such persons and the oblations they made out of their infamous gains; and some of them kept lewd women, who prostituted themselves in the temples, to the honour of their false Gods, and offered part of their prof... [ Continue Reading ]
Thou shalt not lend upon usury to thy brother — To an Israelite. They held their estates immediately from God, who while he distinguished them from all other people, might have ordered, had he pleased, that they should have all things in common. But instead of that, and in token of their joint inter... [ Continue Reading ]
Not slack — Not delay: because delays may make them both unable to pay it, and unwilling too.... [ Continue Reading ]
A free — will — offering — Which though thou didst really make, yet being made, thou art no longer free, but obliged to perform it.... [ Continue Reading ]
At thy pleasure — Which was allowed in those parts, because of the great plenty and fruitfulness of vines there.... [ Continue Reading ]