CHAPTER XXV _While Israel abode in Shittim the people commit whoredom with_ _the daughters of Moab_, 1. _They become idolaters_, 2. _The anger of the Lord is kindled against them, and he commands_ _the ringleaders to be hanged_, 3, 4. _Moses causes the judges to slay the transgressors_, 5. Zi... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 25:3. _ISRAEL JOINED HIMSELF UNTO BAAL-PEOR_] The same as the Priapus of the Romans, and worshipped with the same obscene rites as we have frequently had occasion to remark. The _joining to Baal-peor_, mentioned here, was probably what St. Paul had in view when he said, 2 Corinthians... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 25:4. _TAKE ALL THE HEADS OF THE PEOPLE, C._] Meaning the chiefs of those who had transgressed as if he had said, "Assemble the chiefs and judges, institute an inquiry concerning the transgressors, and hang them who shall be found guilty _before the_ _Lord_, as a matter required by his... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 25:5. _SLAY YE EVERY ONE HIS MEN_] In the different departments where you preside over _thousands, hundreds, fifties_, and _tens_, slay all the _culprits_ that shall be found.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 25:6. _ONE OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL_] _Zimri_, the son of _Salu_, a prince of a chief family in the tribe of _Simeon_, Numbers 25:14, _brought a Midianitish woman, Cozbi_, daughter of _Zur_, head over a people of one of the chief families in Midian, Numbers 25:15. The _condition_ of... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 25:8. _THRUST BOTH OF THEM THROUGH_] Inspired undoubtedly by the Spirit of the God of justice to do this act, which can never be a _precedent_ on any common occasion. An act something similar occurs in our own history. In 1381, in the minority of Richard II., a most formidable insurre... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 25:9. _THOSE THAT DIED - WERE TWENTY AND FOUR THOUSAND._] St. Paul, 1 Corinthians 10:8, reckons only _twenty-three_ thousand; though some MSS. and versions, particularly the latter _Syriac_ and the _Armenian_, have _twenty-four_ thousand, with the Hebrew text. Allowing the 24,000 to b... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 12. - 13. _MY COVENANT OF PEACE - OF AN EVERLASTING_ _PRIESTHOOD_] As the word _peace_ implied all kinds of blessings, both spiritual and temporal, it may mean no more here than the promise of God, to grant him and his family the _utmost prosperity_ in reference to _both worlds_. The _everlas... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 25:17. _VEX THE MIDIANITES, C._] See this order fulfilled, Numbers 31:1. Twelve thousand Israelites attacked the Midianites, destroyed all their cities, slew their five kings, every male, and every grown up woman, and took all their spoils.... [ Continue Reading ]