_Salphaad, a descendant of Joseph, had departed this life in the desert, being one of those who sinned, by murmuring, at Cades-barne. See chap. xiv., and xv. 32. (Calmet) --- He only left these five daughters behind him; and, as many others might be under the same predicament, their case deserved th... [ Continue Reading ]
_Father, the portion which would have been assigned him; that so those whom we may marry, may take the inheritance, under the name of Salphaad, which some of the children may also bear. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Their. The first of these pronouns is written larger than usual, the second is improperly masculine in Hebrew; both, it is pretended, to honour the young women. (Kennicott)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Him. The Jews observe, that if the father of the deceased were still alive, he would take the inheritance. (Selden, Success. xii. and xiii.) But if his wife were inclined to marry again, she might insist on his next relation taking her, before she could be required to give up his goods, Deuteronomy... [ Continue Reading ]
_Uncles. His nephews are at a greater distance from the original stock. The Ph\'9cnicians carried the same regulations into Africa. (Grotius, Jur. ii. 7.) The relations by the mother's side, could claim no part. The husband was heir to all his wife's goods, except her dowry, which went to her childr... [ Continue Reading ]
_People, in limbo. (Menochius) --- He was not buried in the grave of his ancestors, but on some part of Mount Abarim, called Nebo, Deuteronomy xxxiv. 1, 6. (Haydock) --- Moses, hoping that this sentence of exclusion from the promised land might be only a threat, had earnestly besought God to let him... [ Continue Reading ]
_Flesh, who gives life, and penetrates the secrets of hearts, chap. xvi. 22._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Shepherd. Christ makes use of the same comparison, John x. 1. Kings are often styled shepherds in Homer. Moses begs that his successor may be enabled to conduct the multitude in both peace and war. --- To go in and out, means to govern, (3 Kings iii. 7,) and includes all the occurrences of life, Ac... [ Continue Reading ]
Spirit of God, which was given to him, when he was appointed a judge; (chap. xi. 17,) the spirit of prophesy, (Onkelos,) and of wisdom, (Deuteronomy xxxiv. 9,) of which he received a fresh increase, by the imposition of the hands of Moses. By the like ceremony people are confirmed, and ministers of... [ Continue Reading ]
_Precepts, to accept of this office, (Calmet) and to discharge it with integrity. (Haydock) --- Glory, not that which shone on the face of Moses, as Onkelos would have it, but all the marks of distinction due to a chief magistrate, (Calmet) the insignia of his office. See Exodus xviii. 21. (Salien)... [ Continue Reading ]
_For him. Hebrew adds, "according to the judgment of Urim." See Exodus xxviii. 30. Nothing better shews the theocracy of the Hebrews, as Josephus styles it, (contra Apion, 2,) than this order for the chief magistrate in civil affairs, to consult and be guided by God's minister, and by the sentence w... [ Continue Reading ]
_Commanded. This Moses executed on his birth-day, when he was 120 years old, (Deuteronomy xxxi. 2, 7,) having frequently before given proper instructions to Josue, Deuteronomy i. 38., and xxxii. 44. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER XXVII.... [ Continue Reading ]