Judges 3:1
_AN ACCOUNT OF THE NATIONS WHICH WERE LEFT TO PROVE ISRAEL; BY COMMUNION WITH WHOM THEY COMMIT IDOLATRY, AND ARE PUNISHED. OTHNIEL, EHUD, AND SHAMGAR, ARE RAISED UP TO DELIVER THEM._ _Before Christ 1394._... [ Continue Reading ]
_AN ACCOUNT OF THE NATIONS WHICH WERE LEFT TO PROVE ISRAEL; BY COMMUNION WITH WHOM THEY COMMIT IDOLATRY, AND ARE PUNISHED. OTHNIEL, EHUD, AND SHAMGAR, ARE RAISED UP TO DELIVER THEM._ _Before Christ 1394._... [ Continue Reading ]
ONLY THAT THE GENERATIONS OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL— The sacred writer having declared in the former verse the reason why certain of the Canaanites were left, namely, _to prove the Israelites;_ and also who of the Israelites were thus to be proved, namely, that generation which was born after the ta... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL DWELT AMONG THE CANAANITES, &C.— We learn from these verses, that the children of Israel offended in three particulars: _First,_ In suffering to remain among them that people whom they ought to have destroyed. _Secondly,_ In contracting alliances with them, contrary to the... [ Continue Reading ]
CHUSHAN-RISHATHAIM, KING OF MESOPOTAMIA— _King of Mesopotamia,_ appears to be the interpretation of _Chushan-rishathaim._ Mesopotamia was situated between the Tigris and Euphrates, and thence had its name [between the rivers]: the Assyrians or Syrians were the inhabitants; and, instigated either by... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD CAME UPON HIM— He was moved by an extraordinary impulse from God to take upon him the government of the people; which none dared to do, unless appointed by God himself, who was the King of the nation. Josephus says, that God appeared to Othniel, so that he could not doubt... [ Continue Reading ]
STRENGTHENED EGLON— It is the opinion of many commentators, that Eglon was the successor of Balak. As the Israelites were so prone to worship the gods of the people round about them, God, in just punishment of their offences, armed those very people against them. The sacred writer says, that God _st... [ Continue Reading ]
EHUD—A MAN LEFT-HANDED— Mr. Saurin has taken great pains to shew that this expression signifies a man who was _ambidexter, i.e._ one who could use his left hand as well as his right; and what would lead one very much to prefer this interpretation is, that the same quality is ascribed to seven hundre... [ Continue Reading ]
EGLON WAS A VERY FAT MAN— The LXX render it, _a very polite man;_ with a view probably to account for the civility wherewith this prince admitted Ehud to an audience: but our translation is more agreeable to the Hebrew, as well as to the context. See Judges 3:22.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN HE HAD MADE AN END TO OFFER THE PRESENT— There is often in the Eastern countries, says the author of the _Observations,_ a great deal of pomp and parade in presenting their gifts; and that not only when they are presented to princes or governors of provinces, but where they are of a more privat... [ Continue Reading ]
THE QUARRIES THAT WERE BY GILGAL— Both here, and in the 26th verse, says Houbigant, we take the word פסילים _pesilim,_ rendered quarries, for the name of a place. The Vulgate and LXX render it graven images, which some suppose were erected here by the Moabites. The phrase _keep silence_ means, that... [ Continue Reading ]
IN A SUMMER PARLOUR— Beside the platforms which were upon the ancient houses of the East, and which are found there to this day, it is probable that heretofore, as well as at present, most of the great houses had a smaller one annexed, which seldom consisted of more than one or two rooms and a terra... [ Continue Reading ]
SO THAT HE COULD NOT DRAW THE DAGGER—AND THE DIRT CAME OUT— The Hebrew word rendered _dirt_ is found only here. It is after the Chaldee that we render it _dirt_ or _excrement._ This account is so short, that it is no wonder various conjectures have been formed upon it, with which it would be as usel... [ Continue Reading ]
HE COVERETH HIS FEET— Some have supposed, that this is a modest expression for one of the necessities of nature; but it more probably, I should imagine, means in this place, _lying down to rest,_ which is usual in the Eastern countries during the heat of the day. The Arabic and Syriac versions rende... [ Continue Reading ]
EHUD ESCAPED WHILE THEY TARRIED— It has been asked, how this action of Ehud can be at all justified. It is certainly among the number of those which are not to be imitated without that which gave it all its sanction; namely, a divine commission. The text expressly says, _the Lord raised up Ehud;_ an... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL LUSTY— The word שׁמן _shamen,_ rendered _lusty,_ signifies, properly, one that _abounds in_ strength, robust, strong: so the Vulgate, _robustos._ The word in the next verse rendered _subdued,_ is, in the French version, _humilie; humbled,_ which is more agreeable to the Hebrew.... [ Continue Reading ]
AFTER HIM WAS SHAMGAR, &C.— It is uncertain of what tribe Shamgar was, and when he commenced judge of Israel; nothing being mentioned concerning him, but this exploit against the _Philistines,_ in which he _slew six hundred men with an ox-goad; i.e._ the instrument by which oxen are broken to the pl... [ Continue Reading ]