_Offer, voluntarily, without any command. Some sacrifices were of precept, Exodus xxii. 29. (Menochius) --- These first Chapter s are addressed to the people; the 6th from ver. 9, to the priests. Oxen, goats, and sheep, pigeons, and turtles, were to be offered in sacrifice, and small birds also, in... [ Continue Reading ]
A holocaust. That is, a whole burnt-offering; (olocauston) so called, because the whole victim was consumed with fire; and given in such manner to God as wholly to evaporate, as it were, for his honour and glory; without having any part of it reserved for the use of man. The other sacrifices of the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Victim. To transfer all the curses due to him upon it, (Eusebius, Demon. i. 10,) and to testify that he gives it up entirely for the honour of God. (Lyranus) --- The Egyptians cut off the head of the victim, and vented upon it imprecations, begging that the gods would discharge upon it all the evil... [ Continue Reading ]
_He, by the hands of the priests, (chap. x. 1,) as the Septuagint express it, "they shall immolate;" (Menochius) though we might infer from this text, that the person who offered the victim, had to slay it; (Calmet) while the priests alone could pour the blood upon and around the altar. Without the... [ Continue Reading ]
_They. Regularly the Levites performed this office. The skin belonged to the priest, chap. vii. 8. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Fire. Hebrew and Septuagint place the fire first, then the wood. It was the sacred fire which was never extinguished, but removed from the altar in marches, (chap. iv. 13,) perhaps in a censer or pan. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_All things, &c. Hebrew pador, may signify the fat, or the trunk of the animal. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Sweet. Not that the Deity can take delight in sweet odours; but he is pleased with the devotion of men. For their advancement in piety, he required these sacrifices; 1. to keep the people from idolatry; 2. to teach them to consecrate their body and effects to him, as well as their souls, to serve j... [ Continue Reading ]
_Male. Lyranus seems to have read "a year old," in the Vulgate. But it is not found in the Hebrew or in any version. It may have been taken from Exodus xii. 5, where the paschal lamb must be a male of one year. --- Blemish. The Septuagint add, "and he shall put his hand upon its head." (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Pigeons. Hebrew and Septuagint say nothing about the age; though the Rabbins assure us, that old turtles and young pigeons were to be immolated, as being more excellent. God requires only what each person may easily procure. This third species of holocaust was chiefly intended for the poor, chap. x... [ Continue Reading ]
_The neck. Some say, without pulling the head off (Grotius); which the Rabbins deny. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Throat. Hebrew mierath, is rendered "the crop and its contents," by the Chaldean, Syriac, and Samaritan._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Pinions, as if it were to be roasted. Eusebius remarks, that the pagans plunged their birds into the sea, then poured the blood round the altar, and afterwards burnt them. Abram did not divide the birds, Genesis xv. 10. (Calmet) --- Oblation. Hebrew, "made by fire;" or which must be all consumed, e... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER I.... [ Continue Reading ]