Leviticus 26 - Introduction
_IDOLATRY FORBIDDEN: A BLESSING PROMISED; A CURSE DENOUNCED._ _Before Christ 1490._... [ Continue Reading ]
_IDOLATRY FORBIDDEN: A BLESSING PROMISED; A CURSE DENOUNCED._ _Before Christ 1490._... [ Continue Reading ]
YE SHALL MAKE YOU NO IDOLS, &C.— For the word rendered _idols,_ see on ch. Leviticus 19:4. For the word rendered _standing image,_ see Exodus 34:13. The words rendered, _image of stone,_ are, in the Hebrew, משׁכית אבן _eben mashkit, a stone_ of fixing; i.e. _a stone fixed,_ or _set up._ Some suppose... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN WILL I GIVE YOU RAIN IN DUE SEASON— It is manifest to every reader that the blessings and curses denounced here, and in the 28th chapter of Deuteronomy, as sanctions of the law, are merely temporal, and refer entirely to the things of this world in their primary sense. As they are more fully ex... [ Continue Reading ]
YOUR THRESHING SHALL REACH UNTO THE VINTAGE, &C.— This is a nervous and beautiful promise of such entire plenty of corn and wine, that, before they could have reaped and threshed out their corn, the vintage should be ready; and before they could have pressed out their wine, it would be time to sow a... [ Continue Reading ]
BRING FORTH THE OLD— _Throw away the old._ Houb.... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE BROKEN THE BANDS OF YOUR YOKE, AND MADE YOU GO UPRIGHT— Bondage is frequently compared in the Scriptures to the bearing a yoke, which, lying upon the neck, causes the bearer to stoop down, and hang the head; in which view, the allusion here is as plain as it is beautiful. REFLECTIONS.—God wi... [ Continue Reading ]
APPOINT OVER YOU TERROR— See Deuteronomy 28:28. Psalms 78:33 compared with the 36th verse of this chapter, which fully explains the meaning of the word. Houbigant reads, בחלה _bechle,_ here, after the Samaritans which he renders _diseases._ One cannot read these blessings and denunciations upon the... [ Continue Reading ]
IF YE WALK CONTRARY UNTO ME— In the 23rd and 24th verses, &c. this same phrase is used. The Hebrew is, literally, _in opposition to me;_ [בקרי _bekeri,_] and, consequently, the remarks which some have formed upon the marginal translation of our English Bibles are of no weight.... [ Continue Reading ]
TEN WOMEN, &C.— _Ten,_ that is, _many;_ a certain for an uncertain number. See 1 Samuel 1:8. Job 19:3. See also Ezekiel 4:16.... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL DESTROY YOUR HIGH PLACES, AND CUT _DOWN YOUR IMAGES_— Or, _I will destroy your pillars,_ (_altars_,) _and cut down your solar statues._ Some have translated the word _images, by temples dedicated to the fire;_ which, say they, was a symbol of the sun. The _carcases of the idols,_ in all proba... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN SHALL THE LAND ENJOY HER SABBATHS— See 2 Chronicles 36:21. There can be no need to point out to the attentive reader the striking energy of many of the expressions in this chapter.... [ Continue Reading ]
AS LONG AS IT LIETH DESOLATE, IT SHALL REST— "This," says Houbigant, "is literally and historically true. From Saul to the Babylonish captivity, 490 years are commonly numbered; in which period of time were 70 sabbaths of years; for 7 multiplied by 70 makes 490: but the Babylonish captivity continue... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LAND OF YOUR ENEMIES SHALL EAT YOU UP— This was literally fulfilled in the captivity of the ten tribes, as well as in the sufferings and oppressions, which the rest of the family of Israel have undergone _for their own and the iniquities of their fathers;_ Leviticus 26:39. REFLECTIONS.—As God e... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT I WILL FOR THEIR SAKES REMEMBER THE COVENANT, &C.— Houbigant renders this, _Therefore will I remember my covenant of old with them, when——_It might be rendered, nearer to the Hebrew, _I will remember for_ or _towards them:_ להם _lahem, erga eos,_ in the Syriac and Arabic versions. This is one of... [ Continue Reading ]
THESE ARE THE STATUTES, &C.— See the note on the first verse of the next chapter. REFLECTIONS.—While there is life there is hope. It is never too late to return to God. The greatness of our provocations, or the length of our rebellions, prevent not his compassions towards us. May such patience and... [ Continue Reading ]