_A.M. 2553. B.C. 1451._ A form of confession made by him that offered the first-fruits, Deuteronomy 26:1. A prayer to be made after the disposal of the third year's tithe, Deuteronomy 26:12. He binds all these precepts upon them, by the divine authority, and the covenant between God and them, Deute... [ Continue Reading ]
_When thou art come into the land_ Every Israelite being obliged, by law, to offer the first-fruits of his field and vineyard at the tabernacle, at the proper seasons of the year, Moses now prescribes to them the forms of solemn profession and prayer with which each offerer should present them. _Tho... [ Continue Reading ]
_I profess this day unto the Lord_ Thus, at his presenting them to the priest in waiting, the offerer was to declare he brought them in humble and grateful acknowledgment of the divine providence and goodness, that had settled him and his family in this fruitful country, pursuant to the gracious pro... [ Continue Reading ]
_A Syrian was my father_ That is, Jacob; for though born in Canaan, he was a Syrian by descent, his mother Rebecca, and his grandfather Abraham, being both of Chaldea or Mesopotamia, which in Scripture is comprehended under the name of Syria. His wives and children, by their mothers' side, and his r... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou shalt set it_ The basket of first-fruits; _before the Lord_ That is, before the sanctuary, where God was more especially present. This shows that the person offering this oblation was to hold the basket in his hand while he made the foregoing acknowledgment. _And worship before the Lord_ Bowin... [ Continue Reading ]
_The third year, which was the year of tithing_ Hebrews _of that tithe;_ that is, of the tithe for the poor, commanded to be paid every third year, and instead of being carried to the place of the sanctuary, there to be eaten with joy before the Lord, was to be spent at home in entertaining their po... [ Continue Reading ]
_Before the Lord thy God_ As this tithe of the third year was to be spent at home, these words must signify either that every man was to make this solemn profession at home in his private addresses to God, or that the next time he went up to the place of the sanctuary he was to make this declaration... [ Continue Reading ]
_I have not eaten thereof in my mourning_ This is thought by Spencer to have respect to some idolatrous custom then in use: such as that of the Egyptians, who, when they offered the first-fruits of the earth, were wont to invoke _Isis_ with doleful lamentations. But, as the Israelites were not allow... [ Continue Reading ]
_Look down from thy holy habitation_ Though God was pleased to dwell among them, by a glorious symbol of his presence, yet Moses well knew, and hereby teaches the Israelites to acknowledge, that he dwelt in more transcendent glory in the heavens, which all nations have believed to be the throne and... [ Continue Reading ]
_Avouched_ Or _declared_, or _owned. Avouched thee_ Hath owned thee for such before all the world, by eminent and glorious manifestations of his power and favour, by a solemn entering into covenant with thee, and giving peculiar laws, promises, and privileges to thee above all mankind.... [ Continue Reading ]