These four commands, addressed to the conscience, are illustrations of the ninth commandment, mainly in reference to the giving of evidence in legal causes. Compare 1 Kings 21:10; Acts 6:11. Exodus 23:2 This verse might be more strictly rendered, “Thou shalt not follow the many to evil; neither sh... [ Continue Reading ]
So far was the spirit of the law from encouraging personal revenge that it would not allow a man to neglect an opportunity of saving his enemy from loss. Exodus 23:5 The sense appears to be: “If thou see the ass of thine enemy lying down under his burden, thou shalt forbear to pass by him; thou sh... [ Continue Reading ]
Four precepts evidently addressed to those in authority as judges: (a) To do justice to the poor. ComparingExodus 23:6 with Exodus 23:3, it was the part of the judge to defend the poor against the oppression of the rich, and the part of the witness to take care lest his feelings of natural pity sho... [ Continue Reading ]
This is the first mention of the Sabbatical year; the law for it is given at length in Leviticus 25:2. Both the Sabbatical year and the weekly Sabbath are here spoken of exclusively in their relation to the poor, as bearing testimony to the equality of the people in their covenant with Yahweh. In th... [ Continue Reading ]
Compare Deuteronomy 4:9; Joshua 22:5; Ephesians 5:15.... [ Continue Reading ]
This is the first mention of the three great Yearly Festivals. The feast of Unleavened bread, in its connection with the Paschal Lamb, is spoken of in Exodus 12; Exodus 13: but the two others are here first named. The whole three are spoken of as if they were familiarly known to the people. The poin... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BLOOD OF MY SACRIFICE - It is generally considered that this must refer to the Paschal Lamb. See Exodus 12:7, Exodus 12:11, Exodus 12:13, Exodus 12:22, Exodus 12:27. THE FAT OF MY SACRIFICE - Strictly, the fat of my feast; the “best part” of the feast, that is, the Paschal lamb itself. Compare... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FIRST OF THE FIRSTFRUITS OF THY LAND - The “best,” or “chief” of the firstfruits, that is, the two wave loaves described Leviticus 23:17. As the preceding precept appears to refer to the Passover, so it is likely that this refers to Pentecost. They are called in Leviticus, “the firstfruits unto... [ Continue Reading ]
AN ANGEL - See Exodus 3:2, Exodus 3:8; Joshua 5:13; Isaiah 63:9.... [ Continue Reading ]
The rendering in the margin is better. Cf. Deuteronomy 20:4.... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL CUT THEM OFF - The national existence of the Canaanites was indeed to be “utterly” destroyed, every trace of their idolatries was to be blotted out, no social contact was to be held with them while they served other gods, nor were alliances of any kind to be formed with them. (See Deuteronomy... [ Continue Reading ]
DESTROY - Rather, overthrow. See Exodus 23:23.... [ Continue Reading ]
HORNETS - Compare the marginal references. The word is used figuratively for a cause of terror and discouragement. Bees are spoken of in the like sense, Deuteronomy 1:44; Psalms 118:12.... [ Continue Reading ]
BEAST OF THE FIELD - i. e. destructive animals.... [ Continue Reading ]
In Exodus 23:23, the limits of the Land of Canaan, strictly so called, are indicated; to this, when the Israelites were about to take possession of it, were added the regions of Gilead and Bashan on the left side of the Jordan Numbers 32:33; Joshua 13:29. These two portions made up the holy land, of... [ Continue Reading ]