_Ephraim. The valour and insolence of these men are placed together. Afterwards we have an account of the transactions of Gedeon in the pursuit, ver. 4. (Haydock) --- The tribe of Ephraim seems to have had some grounds for being displeased at not being summoned at first, as well as the tribes of Ase... [ Continue Reading ]
_What could I, &c. A meek and humble answer appeased them; who otherwise might have come to extremities. So great is the power of humility both with God and man. (Challoner) (Proverbs xv. 1.) --- Could. Hebrew and Septuagint, "What have I yet done like you? (Menochius) --- Is not the gleaning?" &c.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jordan. Notwithstanding the precautions of Gedeon, some had got over the river, whom he resolves to follow at Bethsan. This city was about 15 miles from Mount Thabor. His men had been in motion a great part of the night, and had not taken provisions (Calmet) for so long a journey; so that he was ob... [ Continue Reading ]
_Soccoth. "The tents," where Jacob had encamped, Genesis xxxiii. It belonged to the tribe of Dan. (Menochius) --- The people of this town, as well as the ancients of Phanuel, returned an insolent reply to the just request of Gedeon. In cases of such extremity, all are bound to assist the defenders o... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hand. Perhaps thou makest sure of taking these kings. (Haydock) We apprehend that they will return with greater forces, and punish our compliance. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Desert. An usual mode of punishment, (2 Kings xii., and 1 Paralipomenon xx. 3.; Calmet) which the cruel irrision of Gedeon and his army, who were fighting in the cause of God and of the nation, richly called for._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Tower; on the strength of which they ventured to treat him with insolence. Phanuel, "the face of God," (Genesis xxxii. 33,) was near the Jaboc. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Resting, as the Hebrew word Korkor, signifies. (Bochart) --- Protestants have, in Karor," as if it were the name of a place. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Tents. The Scenitæ, (Menochius) who inhabited part of the desert Arabia. (Calmet) --- Hurt. They had probably been mounted on camels, &c., (Haydock) and did not suspect that Gedeon would be so soon after them across the Jordan. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
Sun-rising. It would seem as if all these exploits had been performed between midnight and sun-rising, in the month of May, which is quite incredible; and hence many translate, "the sun being up." Septuagint and Theodotion, "from the height or ascent of Hares," (the situation of which we know not,)... [ Continue Reading ]
_Tore. Hebrew seems to be corrupted in this place. "And he shewed (instructed or chastised) with these thorns." The Septuagint and Vulgate read the same word as ver. 7. He crushed the people with such instruments as are used to beat out corn. It is probable that he only treated the magistrates of So... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thabor. Some of the relations or brothers of Gedeon had retired thither, as to a place of safety; and the latter wished to know what was become of them, that he might redeem them, if alive. (Calmet) --- King. They answer with flattery, insinuating that Gedeon had the air of a king. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Kill you. They were not included in the number of the seven devoted nations, (Worthington) and the precept for destroying the Madianites no longer subsisted, Numbers xxxi. 17. (Menochius) --- The laws of war permitted the Hebrews to kill their prisoners, if they thought proper. No public executione... [ Continue Reading ]
_Age. They beg that they may die in a more speedy and noble manner. Tacitus (Hist. iv.) observes, "it was reported that Civilis exposed some of the Roman captives to his little son, in order that he might fix his arrows and javelins in their bodies." --- Ornaments. Most interpreters understand "cres... [ Continue Reading ]
Israel, who were in his army, and of whom he receives the earlets for his share of the spoil. (Calmet) --- But as those who staid at home received a share of the booty, and no doubt would come to congratulate Gedeon on his victory, it seems equally probable that this offer of the regal dignity was m... [ Continue Reading ]
_Request. It was not then thought dishonourable to ask nor to receive presents. The most precious part of the booty had been already presented to the general, according to the custom of the heroic times. But, as the people wished to make Gedeon king, he consents to receive the earlets, as a memorial... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER VIII.... [ Continue Reading ]
_And jewels. Some translate, "crescents (Septuagint, "little moons,") and boxes" ( netiphoth, Menochius) of perfumes, such as Alexander found among the spoils of Darius, and reserved to put his Homer in. These ornaments were also used by women, Isaias iii. 18. (Calmet) --- The eastern nations deligh... [ Continue Reading ]
An ephod. A priestly garment; which Gedeon made with a good design: but the Israelites, after his death, abused it by making it an instrument of their idolatrous worship, (Challoner) and perhaps consulting their idols with it. No law forbad the making of such a garment. (Menochius) --- It was not pe... [ Continue Reading ]
_His concubine. She was his servant, but not his harlot; and is called his concubine, as wives of an inferior degree are commonly called in the Old Testament, though otherwise lawfully married. (Challoner) --- They had not all the privileges of wives; (Genesis xxv. 6,) and their children could not c... [ Continue Reading ]
_Good. He left an excellent reputation, and died in God's friendship. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
After. This is the most solid proof of Gedeon's piety, since he kept the people in awe, and faithful to the Lord during his life. --- God. Hebrew, "and appointed Baal Berith their god," or goddess; for Berith, "of the covenant," is feminine. In the temple of this idol, the citizens of Sichem kept mo... [ Continue Reading ]
_Mercy is here put for many virtues: gratitude, justice, kindness, &c. (Menochius) --- The Israelites did not take care to provide for (Calmet) the family of one who had rendered them such essential services. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]