If there be a controversy between men, and they come unto judgment, that [the judges] may judge them; then they shall justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked. Ver. 1. _If there be a controversy._] Among the Mohammedans there are very few law suits, and the reason is given, _Quod temere litiga... [ Continue Reading ]
And it shall be, if the wicked man [be] worthy to be beaten, that the judge shall cause him to lie down, and to be beaten before his face, according to his fault, by a certain number. Ver. 2. _To be beaten before his face._] The Turks, when cruelly lashed, are compelled to return to the judge that... [ Continue Reading ]
Forty stripes he may give him, [and] not exceed: lest, [if] he should exceed, and beat him above these with many stripes, then thy brother should seem vile unto thee. Ver. 3. _Should seem vile unto thee._] There is an honour due to all men, 1Pe 2:17 and though we must hate the sin, yet not the sinn... [ Continue Reading ]
Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out [the corn]. Ver. 4. _That treadeth out the corn._] Which was the manner of that country: whereunto also the prophet alludeth, Hos 10:11 "Ephraim is a heifer, that loveth to tread out the corn" (because while it treads, it feeds on the corn), but not... [ Continue Reading ]
If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband's brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband's brother unto her. Ver. 5. Her husband's brother.] This was... [ Continue Reading ]
And it shall be, [that] the firstborn which she beareth shall succeed in the name of his brother [which is] dead, that his name be not put out of Israel. Ver. 6. _The first born._] Provided that he be a son; as appears by the reason here given, that his name be not put out of Israel. It signified t... [ Continue Reading ]
Then shall his brother's wife come unto him in the presence of the elders, and loose his shoe from off his foot, and spit in his face, and shall answer and say, So shall it be done unto that man that will not build up his brother's house. Ver. 9. _And loose his shoe._] To show that he was worthy to... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then thou shalt cut off her hand, thine eye shall not pity [her]._ Ver. 12. _Cut off her hand._] The instrument of her sin. Thus Cranmer thrust his hand, wherewith he had subscribed a recantation, first into the fire, crying out, "Thou unworthy right hand." An Act of Parliament was here made, in t... [ Continue Reading ]
Thou shalt not have in thy bag divers weights, a great and a small. Ver. 13. _Divers weights, a great and a small._] As they have that weigh not out a whole seventh day to God, who hath given men six whole days to labour in; these sell by one measure and buy by another. It was an error, doubtless,... [ Continue Reading ]
How he met thee by the way, and smote the hindmost of thee, [even] all [that were] feeble behind thee, when thou [wast] faint and weary; and he feared not God. Ver. 18. _How he met thee by the way._] Not with bread and water, but with fire and sword. See Exodus 17:8 . _ And he feared not God._] Wh... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore it shall be, when the LORD thy God hath given thee rest from all thine enemies round about, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee [for] an inheritance to possess it, [that] thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; thou shalt not forget [it]. Ver. 19. _Thou... [ Continue Reading ]