Deuteronomy 31:1
Went and spake — Continued to speak, an usual Hebrew phrase.... [ Continue Reading ]
Went and spake — Continued to speak, an usual Hebrew phrase.... [ Continue Reading ]
Go out and come in — Perform the office of a leader or governor, because the time of my death approaches.... [ Continue Reading ]
This law — Largely so called, the whole law or doctrine delivered unto Moses contained in these five books. To the priests — That they might keep it carefully and religiously, and bring it forth upon occasion, and read it, and instruct the people out of it. The elders — Who were assistants to the pr... [ Continue Reading ]
The year of release — When they were freed from debts and troubles, and cares of worldly matters, and thereby fitter to attend on God and his service.... [ Continue Reading ]
Thou shalt read — Thou shalt cause it to be read by the priest or Levites; for he could not read it himself in the hearing of all Israel, but this was to be done by several persons, and so the people met in several congregations.... [ Continue Reading ]
Together — Not in one place. But into divers assemblies or synagogues. Women who hereby are required to go to Jerusalem at this solemnity, as they were permitted to do in other solemnities. Children — Such of them as could understand, as appears from Nehemiah 8:2, the pious Jews doubtless read it da... [ Continue Reading ]
Give him a charge — Immediately from myself for his greater encouragement, and to gain him more authority with the people.... [ Continue Reading ]
The strangers of the land — That is, of the Canaanites, who will be turned out of their possessions, and become as strangers in their own land. This aggravates their folly to worship such gods as could neither preserve their friends, nor annoy their enemies.... [ Continue Reading ]
Hide my face — Withdraw my favour and help. Whatever outward troubles we are in if we have but the light of God's countenance, we are safe. But if God hide his face from us then we are undone.... [ Continue Reading ]
Write this song — Which is contained Deuteronomy 32:1, and is put into a song that it may be better learned, and more fixed in their minds and memories. Put it in their mouths — Cause them to learn it, and sing it one to another, to oblige them to more circumspection. A witness — Of my kindness in g... [ Continue Reading ]
Their imaginations — Inclinations to Idolatry, which they do not check, as they ought; and some of them do not only cherish it in their hearts, but as far as they can and dare, secretly practise it, as may be gathered from Amos 5:25; Acts 7:43.... [ Continue Reading ]
The Levites — The priests, Deuteronomy 31:9, who also were Levites.... [ Continue Reading ]
Take this book — Probably the very same book, which (after having been some way misplaced) was found in the house of the Lord, in the days of Josiah, and publickly read by the king himself, for a witness against a people, who were then almost ripe for ruin. In the side — In the outside, in a little... [ Continue Reading ]