Historical chapter commentary
Verse 1. Men. Pharao, Jethro, and the whole nation of the Hebrews, whom he governed as a father, being the mildest of men. Numbers 12:2–3. His life was a continued miracle, and he was honoured more than any prophet, (ib. 6. Acts 7. Calmet.) seeing God’s works more clearly, but not his substance. Exodus 33. Worthington.
Verse 2. Saints, patriarchs or angels, as he saw God face to face.—Enemies. The Egyptians, Amalecites, and all who rebelled against God.—Cease. Removing the scourges which he had inflicted. His serpent devoured those of the magicians, who were confounded before him.
Verse 3. Kings. Pharao, Og, and so forth—Glory, when he had passed by. Exodus 33:22.
Verse 4. Meekness, giving him these necessary qualifications to rule a rebellious people. verse 1.
Verse 5. Heard. Greek “made him hear his voice.”
Verse 6. Face, familiarly.—Life, by observing which, the Hebrews might live. Thus the trees of life and of knowledge were a sort of remedy against death and ignorance. Genesis 2:9. Calmet.
Verse 7. His. Greek “holy, like to himself his brother of the,” and so forth Bible. Psalms 105:16.—He was the interpreter of Moses, and honoured with the high priesthood. Aaron and his posterity were bound to be faithful to the law. verse 19. Calmet.—Their priesthood was to last till Christ appeared, a priest forever of the order of Melchisedech.
Verse 9. Robe. Lit. “stole,” ( Bible.) which was a long robe, used in the East by both sexes.—Crowned. Greek “confirmed” him in his dignity. Calmet.
Verse 10. To the. Greek “enclosing his legs, ( Bible. breeches. Calmet.) and the robe hanging down to the feet, (poderé) and the garment over the shoulders,” ( Bible. ephod) which met at the breast, where the rational were fixed. See Exodus 28. Calmet.—Many. Greek “spheres, ( Bible. or pomegranates. Exodus 28:23. Calmet.) with many little bells,” ( Bible.) to admonish the people of his coming.
Verse 12. Man. Beseleel, who made the greatest part. Calmet.—Greek “of an embroiderer, with the rational of judgment, and the signs (manifestation. Calmet.) of truth. Bible.—Thus the Septuagint commonly describe the Urim and Thummim. Exodus 28:6. Calmet.
Verse 13. Tribes. Greek “sons.” Bible.—Their names were engraven on 12 stones.
Verse 14. Holiness, or “holy to the Lord.” Exodus 28. Calmet.—Work. Greek “works very rich.” Bible.—This regards all his attire. The high priest only used it in the temple, on grand festivals. Calmet.
Verse 17. His. Greek Comp. “their.” Bible.—Some of the ordinary priests offered the daily holocausts.
Verse 18. Filled. Consecrated. Leviticus 8:26.
Verse 19. Testament. It prefigured that of Christ, which lasts for ever. Hebrews 7. Calmet.—Execute. Greek “serve him, both by executing the priestly office, and by blessing the people,” and so forth Bible.—This was one of the high priest’s functions. Numbers 6:23. The rest might offer sacrifice and incense, except on the day of expiation, (Leviticus 16) and on solemn festivals, though the Scripture is silent on the latter head.
Verse 21. Law. The most important causes were to be tried before the high priest, who, with this brethren, were the interpreters of the law. Matthew 2:6.
Verse 24. Fire. Thus consuming 250 men. Numbers 16:30.
Verse 26. Eat. The skin of holocausts were along given to the priests.
Verse 27. People. Having only 2,000 cubits round their cities. Numbers 35. The priests were thus interested to keep the people to their duty, as their own subsistence depended on the devotion and gifts of the latter. Calmet.—They had no distinct territory, like the rest of the tribes. Worthington.
Verse 28. Imitating. Greek “by shewing a zeal in the fear of the Lord.” Numbers 25:11.
Verse 31. That he. Or so he made a covenant with Aaron, that he, and so forth Calmet.—Greek “and (Grabe puts according to) the covenant made to David … that the king’s son successively should alone inherit, the inheritance of Aaron was for his posterity. May he impart wisdom to your heart,” and so forth—He made. Greek “glory during their age.” Bible.—The sacred writer pours forth this prayer for God’s ministers, ( Calmet.) that their good things and glory may never end, as long as the Jewish dispensation should last. He is equally solicitous for the priesthood as for the sceptre of David. In both the families of Aaron and David children succeeded to their father’s dignity, and God had made a covenant for that purpose. Bible.—David assisted the priests, and greatly advanced God’s service. 1 Chronicles 23. Worthington.—His eulogy is given Calmet. 47; and he is here only mentioned ( Calmet.) as a comparison. Bible.