XXI. Deuteronomy 21:1. UNDETECTED HOMICIDES. (1) IF ONE BE FOUND SLAIN — It is remarkable that _in_ our own time the most effectual remedy against outrages of which the perpetrators cannot be discovered is a fine upon the district in which they occur. (2) THY ELDERS AND THY JUDGES SHALL COME FORT... [ Continue Reading ]
Deuteronomy 21:10. MARRIAGE OF CAPTIVE WOMEN. (10, 11) WHEN THOU... SEEST AMONG THE CAPTIVES A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN. — This could not be among the seven nations, of whom it is said (Deuteronomy 20:1), “thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth.” But it may well apply to the recent case of the Midiani... [ Continue Reading ]
Deuteronomy 21:15. THE BIRTHRIGHT. (15) ONE BELOVED, AND ANOTHER HATED — i.e., _one preferred above the other,_ according to the idiomatic use of this phrase in Hebrew. (17) A DOUBLE PORTION. — Literally, _the mouth of two, i.e.,_ two shares. Supposing there were four sons, the estate would be divi... [ Continue Reading ]
Deuteronomy 21:18. THE INCORRIGIBLE SON. (18) IF A MAN HAVE A STUBBORN AND REBELLIOUS SON. — Here we are again reminded that the Law of Jehovah was also the civil and criminal law of Israel. The systematic breach of the first commandment of the second table of the Law, no less than of the first com... [ Continue Reading ]
Deuteronomy 21:22. — HANGING. (22) AND HE BE PUT TO DEATH. — Better, _and he hath been put to death._ Hanging _followed_ death in Israel (Joshua 10:26). (23) HIS BODY SHALL NOT REMAIN ALL NIGHT. — Observed by Joshua, but broken by the Gibeonites (2 Samuel 22:9; 2 Samuel 22:14). HE THAT IS HANGED I... [ Continue Reading ]