Better, “there shall not be to the priests, the Levites, yea the whole tribe of Levi, any inheritance, etc.” AND HIS INHERITANCE - i. e., God’s inheritance, that which in making a grant to His people of the promised land with its earthly blessings He had reserved for Himself; more particularly the... [ Continue Reading ]
For “maw” read stomach, which was regarded as one of the richest and choicest parts. As the animal slain may be considered to consist of three principal parts, head, feet, and body, a portion of each is by the regulation in question to be given to the priest, thus representing the consecration of th... [ Continue Reading ]
These verses presuppose that part of the Levites only will be in residence and officiating at the place of the sanctuary, the others of course dwelling at their own homes in the Levitical cities, or “sojourning” elsewhere; compare the marginal references. But if any Levite out of love for the servic... [ Continue Reading ]
TO PASS THROUGH THE FIRE - i. e., to Moloch; compare the Leviticus 20:2 note. THAT USETH DIVINATION - Compare Numbers 23:23 note. OBSERVER OF TIMES ... ENCHANTER - Compare Leviticus 19:26 note. WITCH - Rather “sorcerer,” compare the Exodus 7:11 note.... [ Continue Reading ]
A CHARMER - i. e., one who fascinates and subdues noxious animals or men, such as the famous serpent-charmers of the East Psalms 58:4. A CONSULTER WITH FAMILIAR SPIRITS ... A WIZARD - Compare Leviticus 19:31 note. RECROMANCER - literally, “one who interrogates the dead.” The purpose of the text is... [ Continue Reading ]
PERFECT - As in Genesis 17:1; Job 1:1; Matthew 5:48. The sense is that Israel was to keep the worship of the true God wholly uncontaminated by idolatrous pollutions.... [ Continue Reading ]
The ancient fathers of the Church and the generality of modern commentators have regarded our Lord as the prophet promised in these verses. It is evident from the New Testament alone that the Messianic was the accredited interpretation among the Jews at the beginning of the Christian era (compare th... [ Continue Reading ]
Compare the marginal references.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IF THOU SAY IN THINE HEART, HOW ... - The passage evidently assumes such an occasion for consulting the prophet as was usual among the pagan, e. g., an impending battle or other such crisis (compare 1 Kings 22:11), in which his veracity would soon be put to the test. Failure of a prediction is s... [ Continue Reading ]