The elders represented the citizens at large, the judges the
magistracy: priests Deuteronomy 21:5 from the nearest priestly town,
were likewise to be at hand. Thus, all classes would be represented at
the purging away of that blood-guiltiness which until removed attached
to the whole community.... [ Continue Reading ]
The requirements as regards place and victim are symbolic. The heifer
represented the murderer, so far at least as to die in his stead,
since he himself could not be found. As hearing his guilt the heifer
must therefore be one which was of full growth and strength, and had
not yet been ceremonially... [ Continue Reading ]
EARED - i. e., plowed; compare Genesis 45:6 note and references. The
word is derived from the Latin, and is in frequent use by English
writers of the fifteenth and two following centuries.
STRIKE OFF THE HEIFER’S NECK - Rather, “break its neck” (compare
Exodus 13:13). The mode of killing the victim... [ Continue Reading ]
The regulations which now follow in the rest of this and throughout
the next chapter bring out the sanctity of various personal rights and
relations fundamental to human life and society.
Deuteronomy 21:10. The war supposed here is one against the
neighboring nations after Israel had utterly destro... [ Continue Reading ]
The shaving the head (a customary sign of purification, Leviticus
14:8; Numbers 8:7), and the putting away “the garment of her
captivity,” were designed to signify the translation of the woman
from the state of a pagan and a slave to that of a wife among the
covenant-people. Consistency required tha... [ Continue Reading ]
BEWAIL HER FATHER AND HER MOTHER A FULL MONTH - This is prescribed
from motives of humanity, that the woman might have time and leisure
to detach her affections from their natural ties, and prepare her mind
for new ones.... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU SHALT NOT MAKE MERCHANDISE OF HER - Rather, thou shalt not
constrain her: literally “treat her with constraint,” or “treat
her as a slave.”... [ Continue Reading ]
Moses did not originate the rights of primogeniture (compare Genesis
25:31), but recognized them, since he found them pre-existing in the
general social system of the East. Paternal authority could set aside
these rights on just grounds Genesis 27:33, but it is forbidden here
to do so from mere part... [ Continue Reading ]
The formal accusation of parents against a child was to be received
without inquiry, as being its own proof. Thus the just authority of
the parents is recognized and effectually upheld (compare Exodus
20:12; Exodus 21:15, Exodus 21:17; Leviticus 20:9); but the extreme
and irresponsible power of life... [ Continue Reading ]
There were four methods of execution in use among the ancient Jews;
stoning (Exodus 17:4; Deuteronomy 13:10, etc.), burning Leviticus
20:14; Leviticus 21:9, the sword Exodus 32:27, and strangulation. The
latter, though not named in Scripture, is regarded by the rabbis as
the most common, and the pro... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT IS HANGED IS ACCURSED OF GOD - i. e. “Bury him that is
hanged out of the way before evening: his hanging body defiles the
land; for God’s curse rests on it.” The curse of God is probably
regarded as lying on the malefactor because, from the fact of his
being hanged, be must have been guilty... [ Continue Reading ]