Exodus 22 - Introduction
_LAWS CONCERNING THEFT, DAMAGE, TRESPASSES, FORNICATION, WITCHCRAFT, FIRST-FRUITS,_ &C. _Before Christ 1491._... [ Continue Reading ]
_LAWS CONCERNING THEFT, DAMAGE, TRESPASSES, FORNICATION, WITCHCRAFT, FIRST-FRUITS,_ &C. _Before Christ 1491._... [ Continue Reading ]
IF A MAN SHALL STEAL AN OX OR A SHEEP, &C.— If he killed or sold such stolen ox, sheep, or goat, and was legally convicted of the crime, he was to _restore five oxen for an ox,_ &c. If they were found alive upon him, and there was no trouble of a legal process, he was _to restore double,_ Exodus 22:... [ Continue Reading ]
IF A THIEF BE FOUND BREAKING UP— That is, if he were found in the very act of breaking into a house, then reason and self-defence justified the destroying such a person, and accordingly the Divine law adjudged such homicide guiltless. The law of Solon, and of the twelve tables, agreed with this; and... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SHALL BE SOLD FOR HIS THEFT— The laws of the twelve tables ordained, that a thief should be delivered to him whom he robbed, to be his slave.... [ Continue Reading ]
IF A MAN SHALL CAUSE A FIELD, &C.— This equitable law of restitution extended to all cases. The law of the twelve tables was more severe upon this head, as Calmet observes; for there it is enjoined, that if any one cut down, or let his cattle eat another's field; if he be of age, he shall be consecr... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IF IT BE STOLEN FROM HIM— The former verses make it very clear, that this restitution was only to be made in case the person, from whom the thing was stolen, did not make it evident, upon oath, that it was stolen without his knowledge or privity.... [ Continue Reading ]
IF IT BE TORN—LET HIM BRING IT FOR WITNESS— That is, let him bring what is torn, or what remains of it, in proof of his allegation. Houbigant renders this verse, _if it be torn in pieces by wild beasts, he shall bring him to the place where the animal lies, and shall not make restitution:_ the Hebre... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU SHALT NOT SUFFER A WITCH TO LIVE— What is here translated _witch,_ is rendered _sorcerer,_ ch. Exodus 7:11 where see an account of the word. In various passages of the law, some of which are pointed out in the margin of our Bibles, _inchantment, magic,_ and _sorcery,_ with all their abominable... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT SACRIFICETH— A particular species of worship is here used to express worship in general: it means, he that payeth any religious honour,—_shall be utterly destroyed;_ delivered to death, Deuteronomy 13:15; Deuteronomy 17:2. Houbigant observes here, that the Samaritan reading is the best: _he... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU SHALT NEITHER VEX A STRANGER, &C.— The reason subjoined to enforce this humane and hospitable law, plainly proves the general and extensive meaning of the word _stranger:_ it implies all such persons of any other country, as should sojourn in _their_ land, as they, who were strangers, sojourned... [ Continue Reading ]
YE SHALL NOT AFFLICT ANY WIDOW, &C.— The humanity of the Divine law is always discernible: none are so helpless and pitiable, as widows and orphans: God therefore enjoins, under the severest penalties, a tender regard to them; while he condescends himself to be called the Father of the fatherless, a... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU SHALT NOT BE TO HIM AS AN USURER— The Hebrew word נשׁךֶ _neshek,_ signifies _biting usury,_ says Parkhurst: so the Latins call it _usura vorax:_ to this purpose some Hebrew. critics observe, that "the _increase of usury_ is called נשׁךֶ _neshek,_ because it resembles _the bite of a serpent;_ fo... [ Continue Reading ]
IF THOU AT ALL TAKE THY NEIGHBOUR'S RAIMENT TO PLEDGE— This law extends to every thing of daily use, or whereupon livelihood depends. See Deuteronomy 24:6 from the 12th and 13th verses of which chapter, as well as from the reason of the law, it appears that it refers to the poor. The _raiment_ here... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU SHALT NOT REVILE THE GODS— _The magistrates._ See note on ch. Exodus 21:6 and Romans 13:1. _The ruler of thy people_ means here any one _elevated_ (according to the original) in dignity and authority; נשׂיא _nasi._ Charondos, Zaleucus, and Plato, esteem as one of the greatest crimes, and as a k... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU SHALT NOT DELAY TO OFFER THE FIRST OF THY RIPE FRUITS, &C.— The Hebrew here is, _thy fulness,_ and _thy tears,_ or _liquors,_ which distil in drops like tears from the press; as _wine_ and _oil._ See Deuteronomy 18:4.Numbers 18:12; Numbers 24:25. _Fulnesses_ signify the first full-ripe fruits o... [ Continue Reading ]
ON THE EIGHTH DAY THOU SHALT GIVE IT ME— Though it might not be given _before_ the eighth day, it might be given _after._... [ Continue Reading ]
AND YE SHALL BE HOLY MEN UNTO ME— See note on ch. Exodus 19:6. As the prohibition of eating flesh torn by beasts, is immediately subjoined to these words, Le Clerc's conjecture seems extremely probable, that _holy men_ here signifies, _consecrated,_ as priests, _in holiness to me:_ it being likely t... [ Continue Reading ]