Numbers 15:6

_Oil. Greater libations are required for a ram, as it is larger than the former victim, which was accompanied with only half the quantity of fine flour. (Haydock) --- Part of the wine and oil was poured on the flour, and burnt on the altar; the rest was given to the priests._... [ Continue Reading ]

Numbers 15:11-15

_Thus, &c. --- Land. In this last verse, the Samaritan copy observes a more correct manner of punctuation than the Hebrew which is commonly rendered "O congregation." (Houbigant) --- The author of the Vulgate has preserved the sense, but not all the words of the original. The strangers here spoken o... [ Continue Reading ]

Numbers 15:20

_Eat. Hebrew and Septuagint, "of your dough." They elevated a part towards heaven, and gave it to the priest or Levite, who lived nearest them; and, in case none could be found, as at the present day, they were to burn it in honour of God. Tradition determines the quantity to be between a 40th and a... [ Continue Reading ]

Numbers 15:22

Ignorance. Other victims are prescribed; (Leviticus iv. 13,) so that the ignorance here mentioned must be of a different nature. The former was perhaps a sin of commission, and this a sin of omission; such as if the whole people should neglect to eat the paschal lamb. The Rabbins think that the law... [ Continue Reading ]

Numbers 15:30

_Pride. Hebrew and Septuagint, "with hand, or with head (Chaldean) uplifted," without shame or control. The Rabbins say, he must deny that God is the author of the law, and sin deliberately, after being admonished, &c., before he will incur this penalty. But why all these restrictions? --- Rebelliou... [ Continue Reading ]

Numbers 15:32

Wilderness of Pharan, if this crime were committed soon after the murmuring of the people, or in some other part of the desert. This example tends to show the severity and extent of the former precept. The law had condemned the breaker of the sabbath to be put to death. But Moses consulted the Lord,... [ Continue Reading ]

Numbers 15:38

_Fringes. The Pharisees enlarged these fringes through hypocrisy, (Matthew xxiii. 5,) to appear more zealous than other men for the law of God. (Challoner) --- Our Saviour conformed to this law, Luke viii. 44. Moses shews that these fringes were to be made for the cloak, which was square, and not fo... [ Continue Reading ]

Numbers 15:39

_Astray, ( fornicantes). The eyes being left without restraint, easily fix upon dangerous objects, which captivate the heart, and lead to idolatry and the contempt of God's law. (Calmet) --- We are also admonished to meditate on the law, and not follow our own thoughts or interpretations, so as to r... [ Continue Reading ]

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