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"thee, I will bring thee unto another "place; peradventure it will please "God, that thou mayest curse me them "from thence." 28. And Balak brought Balaam unto the top of Peor, that looketh toward Jeshimon. 29. And Balaam said unto Balak, "Build me here seven "altars, and prepare me here seven "bullocks and seven rams." 20. And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bullock and a ram on every altar.

CHAP. XXIV.

"shall eat up the nations bis enemies, "and shall break their bones, and pierce "them through with his arrows. 9. He "couched, he lay down as a lion, and

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as a great lion: who shall stir him up? "Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and "cursed is he that curseth thee." 10. And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, "I called thee to curse mine enemies, "and behold, thou hast altogether "blessed them these three times. "11. Therefore now flee thou to thy "place: I thought to promote thee "unto great honour: but lo, the LORD "hath kept thee back from honour." 12. And Balaam said unto Balak, "Spake I not also to thy messengers “which thou sentest unto me, saying, "13. "If Balak would give me his ❝house-full of silver and gold, I cannot

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AND when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not as at other times to seek for enchantments, but he set his face towards the wilderness. 2. And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes, and the spirit of God came upon him. 3. And he took up his parable, and said, "Balaam "the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose hath said: eyes are open, 4. He hath said, which heard the "words of God, which saw the vision "of the Almighty, falling into a trance, "but having his eyes open: 5. How" what this people shall do to thy peogoodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy "tabernacles, Ŏ Israel! 6. As the val

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leys are they spread forth, as gardens "by the river side, as the trees of lign"aloes which the LORD hath planted, " and as cedar-trees beside the waters. "7. He shall pour the water out of his "buckets, and his seed shall be in many "waters, and his king shall be higher "than Agag, and his kingdom shall be "exalted (h). 8. God brought him "forth out of Egypt, he (i) hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he

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(h) v. 7. The Sept. translation of this verse is "a man shall come forth of his "seed, and shall rule over many nations : "and his kingdom shall be raised higher "than Gog's, and his kingdom shall be "exalted." Dr. Hales translates it in nearly the same manner, and points out how the Hebrew words had been corrupted. See the first of his learned and valuable Dissertations. Gog was the title of the Scythian kings. Philo understands this as a prophecy of the Messiah: (Chandl. Def. 30 and so does Dr. Hales.

go beyond the commandment of the "LORD, to do either good or bad of "mine own mind; but what the LORD "saith, that will I speak? 14. And now "behold, I go unto my people: come "therefore, and I will advertise thee,

"ple in the latter days." 15. And he took up his parable, and said, "Balaam "the son of Beor hath said, and the

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man whose eyes are open, hath said: "16. He hath said, which heard the "words of God, and knew the know"ledge of the most High, which saw the "vision of the Almighty, falling into a "trance, but having his eyes open: "17. I (k) shall see him, but not now: "I shall (k) behold him, but not nigh: "there shall come a (7) star out of "Jacob, and a (m) scepter shall rise out

(i) v. 8. "Hath as it were," or "is to " him as it were."

(k) v. 17. "Shall see," and "shall be"hold," or see and behold," the future tense in Heb. being often put for the pre

sent.

() "A star," "a sceptre," i. e. "the "Messiah." "Sheth," or "tumult, un"righteousness, corruption."

(m) "A sceptre." The same word as in the famous prophecy of Jacob, (Gen. xlix. 10)." The Sceptre shall not depart from "Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his

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"of Israel; and shall (n) smite the cor"ners of Moab, and destroy all the "children of (0) Sheth, 18. And (0) "Edom shall be a possession, Seir also "shall be a possession for his enemies, "and Israel (p) shall do (g) valiantly.

19. Out of Jacob shall come he that "shall have dominion, and shall destroy "him that remaineth of (r) the city." 20. And when he looked on Amalek, she took up his parable, and said, 13 "Amalek was the first of the nations,

"but his latter end shall be that he (s)

"feet, until Shiloh come: and unto him "shall the gathering of the people be." Though the victories of David, about 400 years afterwards, correspond with the successes here foretold, it is not probable he should have been the object of this prophecy David, though a type of Christ, is no where made the subject of prophecy, his reign was not of such importance to mankind in general as to make it likely that he should; and according to 2 Pet. i. 20. no prophecy of "scripture is of any "private interpretation," but "the testi"mony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. "Rev. xix. 10." He is its chief object.

(n) "Smite, &c," and "destroy, &c." These and the expressions in the following verse may refer partly to spiritual success; to the prevalence of the Messiah's kingdom, and the establishment of christianity in heathen kingdoms, and partly to the vengeance to be inflicted in the last age of the world, at different times after Christ's coming, upon those who should have abandoned or opposed or corrupted his religion. In Ps. ii. 8. the extent of Christianity is foretold in similar language: "Desire of me, and I will give thee the "heathen for thine inheritance, and the " utmost parts of the earth for thy pos"session;" and in Ps. lxxii. 8. and Zech. ix. 10. “his dominion shall be also from "the one sea to the other, and from the "flood unto the world's end ;" and heavy vengeance is repeatedly referred to as one of the characteristics of the Messiah's kingdom, Ps. ii. 9. "Thou shalt bruise "them with a rod of iron, and break them "in pieces like a potter's vessel ;" and Ps. cx. 5, 6. "The Lord at thy right hand "shall bruise even kings in the day of his "wrath: he shall judge among the hea

then, he shall fill the places with the "dead bodies, and smite the heads over

"perish for ever." 21. And he looked on the Kenites, and took up his parable, and said, "Strong is thy dwelling"place, and thou puttest thy nest in a "rock. 22. Nevertheless, the Kenite "shall be wasted until (t) Ashur shall 66 carry thee away captive." 23. And he took up his parable, and said, "Alas, "who shall live when God doeth this! "24. And ships shall come from the "coast of (u) Chittim, and shall afflict "Ashur, and shall afflict (x) Eber, and "(y) he also shall perish for ever."

"divers countries." When the judgments of God are upon the earth and God is visiting the wicked with his punishments, how much does it behove each man to endeavour to lead such a life as may avert destruction from himself, from his family, and from his country!

(o) v. 17. 18. "Sheth," " Edom," "Seir," i. e. (probably)" the opponents of the Mes"siah, the worshippers of false gods." As these nations were the opponents of God's people, the Israelites, and were addicted to idol worship, they are often put to signify any adversaries of the true religion.

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(p) "Israel," i. e. (probably) "God's people, the true worshippers, the Israel "of God; in opposition to the children of "Sheth," in v. 17.

(9) "Do valiantly," or "gain strength," "succeed," "prosper."

(r) v. 19. "The city," or "the enemy," "destroyer, disturber"- the proud, the mighty one of the earth.

(s) v. 20. "Perish for ever." This prophecy was effectually executed under God's command in Saul's time. See post, 1 Sam. xv.

(t) v. 22. 24. " Ashur," i. e. " Assyria." (u) v. 24. "Chittim," This name was given to any place they could not get to but by sea: it is often applied to the Macedonians; and is equally applicable to the Romans. 1 Wall. 114.

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(x) Eber," i. e. (probably) " countries "beyond the Euphrates:" Eber was great grandson of Shem, and from him very many nations, including the Israelites, were descended; (See Gen. x. 24 to 32. and Gen. xi. 16 to 25.) and it might be to some of these nations in particular, who might then go by the name of Eber, that Balaam here referred.

(y)" He also," i. e. "the power that shall "afflict Ashurand Eber." 2 Hales, 229, 230.

25. And Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his (2) place: and Balak also went his way.

CHAP. XXV.

AND Israel abode in (a) Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. 2. And they (6) called the (b) people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people (b) did eat, and bowed down to their gods. 3. And Israel joined himself unto (c) Baal-peor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel. 4. And the LORD said unto Moses, "Take (d) all the heads of the people, "and hang them up before the LORD "against the sun, that the fierce anger of "the LORD may be turned away from "Israel." 5. And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, "Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baalpeor." 6. And behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the The door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 7. And when Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from amongst the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand; 8. And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust (e) both of them through, the man of Israel,

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(z) v. 25. "To his place." In the course of the same year he was slain by the children of Israel on their expedition against the Midianites. Numb. xxxi, 8.

(a) v. 1. "Shittim," in the plains of Moab. Numb. xxxiii. 49. B. C. 1452. (b) v. 2. "They," i. e. "the daughters " of Moab," "the people," i. e. " of Israel."

(c) v. 3. "Baal-peor," an idol of the Moabites. It was through the counsel of Balaam that the women of Moab drew them into this sin. Joseph. Antiq. lib. 4. c. 6. When God commanded Moses to avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites, and they spared the women of Midian, Moses blamed them and said, "Have ye saved all the women alive? "Behold, these caused the children of "Israel through the counsel of Balaam, to "commit trespasses against the Lord in "the matter of Peor, and there was a

and the woman through her belly: So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel. 9. And those that died in the plague, were twenty and four thousand. 10. And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 11." Phinehas the son of Elea

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zar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath "turned my wrath away from the chil"dren of Israel (while he was zealous "for my sake among them) that I con"sumed not the children of Israel in "my jealousy. 12. Wherefore say, "Behold, I give unto him my covenant "of peace. 13. And he shall have it, " and his seed after him, even the cove"nant of an everlasting priesthood; be"cause he was zealous for his God, and "made an atonement for the children "of Israel." 14. Now the name of the Israelite that was slain, even that was slain with the Midianitish woman, was Zimri the son of Salu, a prince of a chief house among the Simeonites. 15. And the name of the Midianitish woman that was slain was Cozbi the daughter of Zur; he was head over a people, and of a chief house in Midian, 16. 16. And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 17. "Vex (g) the Midianites, "and smite (g) them: 18. For they vex

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you with their wiles wherewith they "have beguiled you in the matter of "Peor, and in the matter of Cozbi, the "daughter of a prince of Midian their "sister, which was slain in the day of "the plague (h) for Peor's sake. "plague among the congregation of the "Lord. Numb. xxxi. 2. 15. 16." and see Rev. ii. 14.

(d) v. 4. "Take, &c." or "speak unto "the heads of the people, and let them "slay the men that were joined to Baalpeor, and hang them up, &c. Kennic. "Rem. 70."

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(e) v. 8. "Thrust, &c." This is referred to Ps. cvi, 30." Then stood up Phinehas, "and executed judgment, and so the "plague was stayed."

(g) v. 17. "Vex," and "smite, &c." This command was repeated and executed the same year; and the five kings of Midian, including Zur, were slain, and Balaam also, Numb. xxxi. 2. 8.

(h) v. 18. "The plague for Peor's sake," i. e. "the plague inflicted on them for "joining themselves to Baal-peor."

DEUTERONOMY.

CHAP. IV.

Now (a) therefore hearken, O Israel, "unto the statutes and unto the judg"ments which I teach you, for to do "them, that ye may live, and go

in and possess the (b) land which the LORD "God of your fathers giveth you. 2. Ye "shall not add unto the word which I "command you, neither shall dimiyou "nish ought from it, that ye may keep "the commandments of the LORD your "God which I command you. 3. Your

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ye came near and stood under the "mountain, and the mountain burned "with fire unto the midst of heaven, "with darkness, clouds, and thick dark12. And the LORD spake unto

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66 eyes have seen what the LORD did because of (c) Baal-peor: for all the "men that followed Baal-peor, the "LORD thy God hath destroyed them "from among you. 4. But ye that did "cleave unto the LORD your God, are "alive every one of you this day. "5. Behold, I have taught you statutes "and judgments, even as the LORD God commanded me, that ye my "should do so in the land whither ye go "to possess it. 6. Keep therefore, and do them, for this is your (d) wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the "nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, "surely this great "nation is a wise and understanding "people." 7. For what nation is there

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so great, who hath God so nigh unto "them, as the LORD our God is in all "things that we call upon him for? "8. And what nation is there so great, "that hath statutes and judgments so "righteous, as all this law which I set "before you this day? 9. Only take "heed to thyself, and keep thy soul di"ligently, lest thou forget the things "which thine eyes have seen, and lest "they depart from thy heart all the "days of thy life: but teach them thy

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sons, and thy sons sons: 10. Specially

(a) Part of an address from Moses to the Israelites in the year in which he died. Before Christ 1451.

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(b) v. 1. "The land, &c." i. e. "of "Canaan."

(c) v. 3. "Of Baal-peor." See ante, 542. Numb. xxv. 3, 4, 5. The destruction of those who followed Baal-peor happened in the very year in which Moses made this address.

(d) v. 6. "Your wisdom, &c." i. e. "this

you out of the midst of the fire: ye "heard the voice of the words, but saw "no similitude, only ye heard a voice. "13. And he declared unto you his "covenant, which he commanded you "to perform, even ten commandments, "and he wrote them upon two tables "of stone. 14. And the LORD com"manded me at that time, to teach you "statutes and judgments, that ye might "do them in the land whither ye go "over to possess it. 15. Take there"fore good heed unto yourselves (for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the LORD spake unto you in "Horeb, out of the midst of the fire). "16.Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make

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you a graven image, the similitude of "any figure, the likeness of male or fe"male, 17. The likeness of any beast that "is on the earth, the likeness of any "winged fowl that flieth in the air, "18. The likeness of any thing that "creepeth on the ground, the likeness "of any fish that is in the waters be"neath the earth: 19. And lest thou "lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and "when thou seest the sun, and the moon, "and the stars, even all the host of "heaven, shouldest be driven to wor

"shall give you a character for wisdom "and understanding."

(e) v. 10." Specially, &c." i. e. "above "all give them an account of the trans"actions of that day."

(g)" In Horeb," i. e. " at mount Si"nai," in the first year of the departure from Egypt, when God came down upon the mount, and delivered the Ten Commandments. Exod. xix. and xx.

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"ship them, and serve them, which the "LORD thy God hath divided (h) unto "all nations under the whole heaven. "20. But the LORD hath taken you, and "brought you forth out of the iron furnace, even out of Egypt, to be unto "him a people (i) of inheritance as ye "are this day. 21. Furthermore, the "LORD was (k) angry with me (7) for 66 your sakes, and sware that I should "not go over Jordan, and that I should "not go in unto that good land which "the LORD thy God giveth thee for an "inheritance. 22. But I must die in "this land, I must not go over Jordan: "but ye shall go over and possess that "good land. 23. Take heed unto "yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant "of the LORD your God, which he "made with you, and make you a "graven image, or the likeness of any

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thing which the LORD thy God hath "forbidden thee. 24. For the LORD

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thy God is a consuming fire, even a "jealous God. 25. When thou shalt

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beget children, and childrens children, "and shalt have remained long in the "land, and shall corrupt yourselves, and "make a graven image, or the likeness

(h) v. 19. "Divided," so that they are not peculiar to you: and shall you, whom God hath taken to be his own inheritance, serve those things which God has thought of such little worth, as to make them common to all mankind?

(i) v. 20. "A people, &c." "For the Lord's portion is his people: Jacob is the lot of his inheritance. 32 Deut. 9."

(k) v. 21. "Angry, &c." See Numb.xx. 2. 8. 10. 12. The people gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron for want of water: God ordered Moses to take his rod, to gather the assembly together, and to speak unto the rock before their eyes. When Moses had gathered the congregation together before the rock, he said unto them, "Hear now, "ye rebels, must we fetch you water out "of this rock?" and he smote the rock twice with the rod, and the water came out abundantly: This deviation from his command displeased God, and he spake unto Moses and Aaron, "because ye believed "me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the "children of Israel, therefore ye shall not "bring this congregation into the land

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"of any thing, and shall do evil in the sight of the LORD thy God, to pro"voke him to anger: 26. I call heaven "and earth to witness against you this "day, that ye shall soon utterly perish "from off the land whereunto you go

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over Jordan to possess it: ye shall "not prolong your days upon it, but "shall utterly be destroyed. 27. And "the LORD shall scatter (m) you among "the nations, and ye shall be left few "in number among the heathen, whi"ther the LORD shall lead you. 28. And "there ye shall serve gods, the work of "men's hands, wood and stone, which "neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor "smell. 29. But if from thence thou "shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou "shalt find him, if thou seek him with "all thy heart, and with all thy soul. "30. When thou art in tribulation, and "all these things are come upon thee, "even in the (n) latter days, if thou turn "to the LORD thy God, and shalt be "obedient unto his voice: 31. (For the "LORD thy God is a merciful God) he "will not forsake thee, neither destroy "thee, nor forget the covenant of thy "fathers, which he sware unto them.

"which I have given them!!" The command was to speak unto the rock, instead of which he struck it, and that twice, and instead of ascribing the miracle to God, he said, must we fetch.

() v. 21. "With me," even with me, whom he had so highly favoured. So that you are not to conclude, because God has made you his people, that he will forbear from punishing if you offend. See ante, 196. 1 Cor. 10.

(m) v. 27. "Scatter, &c." How singular for centuries has been the condition of the Jews! scattered amongst the nations, few in number amongst them, and yet a distinct people. Where, amongst the great nations of the earth are there not some, and yet where is their number large? Has this happened to any other nation, or is it not the case with the Jews only? See 3 Newt. 356. 1 Fab. 86. and see post, note on Is. xi. 11.

(n) v. 50. The latter days," i. e. (probably) the times of Christianity, looking forward perhaps to a period not yet arrived. See 1 Fab.8.-Newt. 7th Dissertation, and post, note on Is. xi. 11.

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