XXVII. (3) OUR FATHER DIED IN THE WILDERNESS. — The preceding chapter records the fulfilment of the sentence of exclusion pronounced on the generation which came out of Egypt after the completion of the twentieth year of their age. The argument used by the daughters of Zelophehad appears to be that... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU SHALT SURELY GIVE THEM... — The pronoun _them_ is in the masculine gender in the Hebrew. Either the reference must be to the sons of Zelophehad’s daughters, or the daughters must be regarded in the light of sons.... [ Continue Reading ]
IF A MAN DIE, AND HAVE NO SON... — On the general law of inheritance which is here laid down, see Selden’s _De Successionibus,_ London, 1636, and Keil’s _Archœol.,_ 2, s. 142.... [ Continue Reading ]
GET THEE UP INTO THIS MOUNT ABARIM. — The position of this command, in immediate connection with the answer returned to the request of the daughters of Zelophehad, is very remarkable. They were to enter into the land of promise, and their descendants were to inherit it. The great lawgiver himself wa... [ Continue Reading ]
GATHERED UNTO THY PEOPLE. — See Genesis 25:8, and Note. In the case of Moses, as in that of Abraham, the expression cannot be understood in reference to the place of his burial.... [ Continue Reading ]
TO SANCTIFY ME... — See Numbers 20:12, where the same expression is used.... [ Continue Reading ]
LET THE LORD... — We have a remarkable instance here of the true greatness of Moses, as a type of Him whose words were, “Weep not for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children” (Luke 23:28). Instead of indulging in excessive grief, or in unavailing remorse, the mind of Moses was intently fix... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH MAY GO OUT BEFORE THEM... — The expression going out and coming in is used here, as in many other places, to denote the ordinary life of man (Deuteronomy 28:6; Deuteronomy 31:2). Leading out and bringing in (literally, _causing to go out and to come in_)_,_ as a shepherd in respect of his floc... [ Continue Reading ]
IN WHOM IS THE SPIRIT... — The definite article is not used in the original. The word translated “spirit” appears to denote spiritual endowment and qualifications. AND LAY THINE HAND UPON HIM. — It is to be observed that the spiritual qualifications of Joshua did not supersede the necessity of an o... [ Continue Reading ]
AND GIVE HIM A CHARGE... — Comp. Deuteronomy 31:23, “And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of a good courage.”... [ Continue Reading ]
AFTER THE JUDGMENT OF URIM... — See Exodus 28:30, and Note. AT HIS WORD... — i.e., Joshua and the children of Israel were to abide by the decision of the high priest, which was obtained by means of Urim and Thummim.... [ Continue Reading ]