thine houses with fire A summary method of punishment often adopted, as by the Philistines on Samson's father-in-law (Judges 15:6); threatened by Ephraim on Jephthah (Judges 12:1). Comp. also the summary act of Absalom against Joab for his inattention to the prince's messages (2 Samuel 14:30), cf. Joshua 7:25.

sight of many women The neighbouring states. There may be reference to a custom of making women witness the fate of the adulteress, that they might take warning.

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