The preceding Chapter s are mainly concerned with the Levites, and are more or less connected by a unity of subject. But this and the following chapter contain a miscellaneous collection of regulations on a variety of matters, belonging, in all probability, to different _strata_of priestly tradition... [ Continue Reading ]
Exclusion of unclean persons. The compiler has very suitably placed this in connexion with the careful arrangements enjoined in the preceding chapter to preserve the sacredness of the Dwelling of Jehovah. Because of His presence the whole camp (-in the midst whereof I dwell") was sacred, and all pol... [ Continue Reading ]
Three forms of uncleanness are here mentioned, all of which are dealt with in detail elsewhere, and all are considered contagious in their ceremonial pollution: leprosy (Leviticus 13), discharges (Leviticus 15), and contact with the dead (Numbers 19).... [ Continue Reading ]
Payments in compensation for wrongs. Part of this section (Numbers 5:6) is supplementary to the regulations in Leviticus 6:1-7. It is there laid down that if anyone incur guilt through wronging his neighbour by robbery, or oppression, by appropriating something committed to his keeping as a deposit... [ Continue Reading ]
_to da a trespass against the Lord_ IN ACTING UNFAITHFULLY TOWARDS JEHOVAH. To sin against one's fellow men involves breaking faith with God; cf. Leviticus 6:2.... [ Continue Reading ]
_make restitution for his guilt_ lit. -restore his guilt," abstract for concrete; _he shall_ RESTORE THAT WHICH HE GUILTILY HOLDS IN POSSESSION; and similarly in Numbers 5:8. _the fifth part_ The same compensation is enjoined in other cases the eating of sacred food unwittingly (Leviticus 22:14), t... [ Continue Reading ]
The verse deals with the case in which the injured person dies before restitution has been made to him, and leaves no representative. _kinsman_ Heb. _gô"çl_. A technical term of considerable importance in Israelite law. A man's next of kin was (1) a full brother, (2) failing him, an uncle on the fat... [ Continue Reading ]
_every heave-offering] every_ CONTRIBUTION. The Heb. _terûmâh_is derived from a root signifying -to lift up, _or_off," and denotes that which is lifted off from a larger mass, and separated or contributed for sacred purposes. LXX. in the Pentateuch renders it by ἀφαιρεμα. It is used of gifts taken f... [ Continue Reading ]
_every man's_ HOLY _things shall be his_ i.e. the priest's. The verse gives a general description of all priestly dues; (1) every holy thing that is, from any cause, due to Jehovah, shall go to the priest as His representative, and (2) every gift which a man may make to any particular priest shall b... [ Continue Reading ]
The Ordeal of Jealousy. Though in its present form a late priestly composition this section is evidently based upon very ancient material. Its contents find no parallel in the other Pentateuchal codes; but the custom of trial by ordeal was a very ancient feature in Israelite life, as it was in the... [ Continue Reading ]
_and be kept close_&c. _and_ SHE BE UNDETECTED, THOUGH SHE HAS DEFILED HERSELF. since she was not _taken in the act_ On the evidence of two witnesses at least (Deuteronomy 17:6; Deuteronomy 19:15) the woman and the man would be put to death (Leviticus 20:10 (P), Deuteronomy 22:22); cf. John 8:4 f.... [ Continue Reading ]
_the tenth part of an ephah_ A little under 7 pints. An _ephah_was a dry measure equivalent to the liquid measure _bath_; both were equal to 1/10th _homer_. See Isaiah 5:10. _barley meal_ The coarsest farinaceous food, ordinarily used by the poorer classes (Judges 7:13; John 6:9; John 6:13), and giv... [ Continue Reading ]
_before_ JEHOVAH] Probably at the altar of burnt-offering; it was impossible for her to be admitted into the Tabernacle.... [ Continue Reading ]
_holy water_ A unique expression. The writer may have thought that the water should be taken from the sacred laver, which, according to a late stratum of P, stood in the court. LXX., however, has ὕδωρ καθαρὸν ζῶν -pure living water," which suggests that in the primitive ritual -running water" was pr... [ Continue Reading ]
The hair is let loose as a sign of mourning for her shame. _the water of bitterness_ the water which causes physical pain.... [ Continue Reading ]
_being under thy husband_ i.e. under his authority; cf. Ezekiel 23:5 -when she was mine" (R.V.), lit. -under me.... [ Continue Reading ]
_a book_ The Heb. term _sçpher_denotes anything which can receive writing, e.g. a strip of parchment. Here it is something from which the written words of the curse can be washed or wiped out into the water. The curse is considered to be in this manner literally conveyed to the potion. The eating of... [ Continue Reading ]
and become _bitter_ lit. -for bitterness," i.e. proving injurious.... [ Continue Reading ]
_shall wave the meal-offering_ The word -wave" probably does not bear its technical meaning (explained in note on Numbers 6:20), but denotes simply to -offer." See Numbers 8:11; Numbers 8:13; Numbers 8:15; Numbers 8:21.... [ Continue Reading ]
_an handful of the meal-offering_ In accordance with the general regulation laid down in Leviticus 2:2. _as the_ MEMORIAL-OFFERING _thereof_ The technical term _"azkârâh_is confined to P. It is used of the frankincense burned for the Presence-bread (Leviticus 24:7), the meal of the poor man's sin-of... [ Continue Reading ]
_she shall be free] she shall be_ ACQUITTED; proved innocent.... [ Continue Reading ]
The husband shall be held innocent in any case, and the woman shall, if guilty, suffer the consequences of guilt.... [ Continue Reading ]