_Priesthood. If you transgress, or if you neglect to instruct and watch over those who are employed about the sanctuary, you shall be responsible for it. (Calmet) --- You must resist those strangers who would intrude themselves into the office, which I have confirmed to you by miracles. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Sceptre. Hebrew shebet, denotes also "tribe, family," &c. The princes of families probably bore a sceptre, as we find all magistrates did in the days of Homer. (Iliad i.; Virgil, \'c6neid xii.) (Calmet) --- All the other children of Aaron's father, were to be in the order of the Levites, among whom... [ Continue Reading ]
_Stranger; even born of a woman of the tribe of Levi. (Maimonides)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Priests. Hebrew, "you shall serve in the ministry of priests which I have given you." The office was not due to them on account of any superior merit. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Charge, as stewards or dispensers (Calmet) of what is offered to me; part of which I abandon to your use, as long as your republic shall subsist. (Menochius) --- First-fruits, or "heave-offerings," which comprised also the victims, first-born, &c., over which the high priest had a general inspectio... [ Continue Reading ]
_And are. Hebrew, "This shall be thine, of the most holy things, from the fire." Some parts of the victims for sin and of the libations were to be consumed, while the rest was given to the priests. These libations were not properly styled holy of holies, (which were to be eaten only in the holy plac... [ Continue Reading ]
_House, perpetually. Hired servants were not admitted to eat of them, Leviticus xxii. 10. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_The best, ( medullam.) Literally, "the marrow." (Haydock) --- The fattest and most delicious. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER XVIII. _ First-ripe, ( initia.) "The beginnings" (Haydock) of the fruit of trees, in the fourth year, Leviticus xix. 24. It may also comprise all the fruits of the earth. (Calmet) --- First-fruits must be distinguished from tithes, which were only the tenth part. The former were offered imm... [ Continue Reading ]
_Vow. Hebrew cherem, "anathema:" man, beast, or land might be thus consecrated to God, either for sacrifice, or for the benefit of his priests, Leviticus xxvii. 28. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Beast. The Rabbins restrain this to the ass alone, which they pretend was deemed the only unclean animal by the Israelites, in Egypt, when this law was established; and Moses indeed specifies it alone, Exodus xiii. 13. (Abenezra) --- But we cannot doubt but that camels, and all other unclean animal... [ Continue Reading ]
Of it; the first-born of man. The child might be redeemed sooner, and sometimes they waited till after the purification of the mother, or 40 days, as our blessed Lady did, Luke ii. 22. (Calmet) --- Five sicles of silver, or about 11 s. 6 d. English, were then to be paid, unless poverty obliged them... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thine. So that thy wife and children, if clean, may eat the flesh. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_A covenant of salt. It is a proverbial expression, signifying a covenant not to be altered or corrupted; as salt is used to keep things from corruption; a covenant perpetual, like that by which it was appointed that salt should be used in every sacrifice, Leviticus ii. 3. (Challoner) --- Thus God g... [ Continue Reading ]
Nothing. No portion of land, like the other tribes; but only some towns and suburbs, allotted to thy children in the midst of the Israelites. They might purchase land as well as others, and might obtain a property by the vows of their brethren, Leviticus xxvii. 14. Jeremias (xxxii. 7) and St. Barnab... [ Continue Reading ]
_Deadly sin. That is, sin which will bring death after it. (Challoner) --- Hebrew, "lest they bear sin unto death," and fall like their brethren, chap. xvii. 13. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_People; or the Hebrew may be also, "they shall bear their own iniquity." If they prove negligent in performing their duty they shall be punished; and if they do not restrain the people from approaching the tabernacle, they shall be answerable for their offence, and both shall incur death. (Calmet)... [ Continue Reading ]
_As an. Thus you will perform your duty, as well as if you gave corn and wine of your own growth. (Menochius) --- Presses. Hebrew yakeb, means also the tub where wine was kept. Jonathan translates, "as the ripe (old) wine of the tub of your wine-press;" insinuating that the wine must be fit for use.... [ Continue Reading ]
_By, &c. Hebrew, "when you have made a heave-offering of the best of it; nor shall you profane the holy things of," &c. (Haydock) --- This they would do, if they gave the worst only to the priests. (Du Hamel) --- There were only three at this time; yet they received the 100th part of the produce of... [ Continue Reading ]