Numbers 25:1
XXV. (1) ABODE IN SHITTIM — i.e., _Abel-Shittim_ (Numbers 33:49). (See Note on Numbers 22:1.)... [ Continue Reading ]
XXV. (1) ABODE IN SHITTIM — i.e., _Abel-Shittim_ (Numbers 33:49). (See Note on Numbers 22:1.)... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY CALLED THE PEOPLE... — The Moabitish women invited the Israelites to their sacrificial feasts, which were celebrated in honour of Baal-peor, who was worshipped in the city of Beth-peor (Deuteronomy 3:29). He is supposed to be identical with _Chemosh,_ the Moabitish god of war.... [ Continue Reading ]
TAKE ALL THE HEADS OF THE PEOPLE. — The “heads” or “chiefs” of the people seem to be identical with the “judges” of the following verse. Some understand by “all the heads” those only who had been the chief offenders, whilst others understand the word “take” as equivalent to “assemble,” or “bring bef... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN PHINEHAS, THE SON OF ELEAZAR, THE SON OF AARON THE PRIEST... — In accordance with this punctuation, the designation _the priest_ (which generally denotes the high priest) refers to Aaron, not to Phinehas. Eleazar was the high priest at this time (Numbers 20:26); and consequently — although... [ Continue Reading ]
INTO THE TENT. — The word k_ubbah_ (tent, or alcove) occurs only in this place. The reference may be to the inner part of the ordinary tent which was occupied by the women; or it may denote an arched or vaulted tent (probably of skins), which the Israelites had erected whilst joining with the Moabit... [ Continue Reading ]
TWENTY AND FOUR THOUSAND. — In 1 Corinthians 10:8 the number of those who “fell in one day” is said to have been “three and twenty thousand.” It has been supposed that a thousand were put to death by the judges, and that these were not included in St. Paul’s enumeration. Presuming, however, that the... [ Continue Reading ]
PHINEHAS, THE SON OF ELEAZAR, THE SON OF AARON THE PRIEST... — The description of Phinehas, as in Numbers 25:7, is repeated in full, as if to denote that he was not a private individual, but one invested with public authority. WHILE HE WAS ZEALOUS FOR MY SAKE AMONG THEM. — Better, _in that he was j... [ Continue Reading ]
MY COVENANT OF PEACE. — Phinehas, as one who was zealous for the honour of God and of the house of the Lord, was a fitting type of Christ, in whom the prediction of the Psalmist received its accomplishment, “The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up” (Psalms 69:9; John 2:17). The covenant of grace is... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SHALL HAVE IT, AND HIS SEED AFTER HIM. — The covenant of peace, which was made by the blood of the Cross, and all the blessings which belong to that covenant, stand fast with Christ, and are secured to His spiritual seed. (Comp. Psalms 89:28.) EVEN THE COVENANT OF AN EVERLASTING PRIESTHOOD. —... [ Continue Reading ]
A PRINCE OF A CHIEF HOUSE AMONG THE SIMEONITES. — Better, _of a father’s house,_ &c. It is probable that the tribe of Simeon was deeply implicated in the transgression, and that those who belonged to that tribe were the chief sufferers in the plague. (See Numbers 26:14, and Note.)... [ Continue Reading ]
HEAD OVER A PEOPLE, AND OF A CHIEF HOUSE IN MIDIAN. — Better, _head of the tribes_ (or, _communities_)_ of a father’s house in Midian._ Several of the Midianitish tribes, or smaller divisions of a father’s house, may have descended from one tribe-father. In Numbers 31:8, Zur is described as one of t... [ Continue Reading ]
VEX THE MIDIANITES, AND SMITE THEM. — The Midianites appear to have been joint actors with the Moabites throughout the whole of the opposition which was offered to Israel, and the chief actors in the wiles by which the Israelites were seduced. As the descendants of Abraham, the father of the faithfu... [ Continue Reading ]