The son of the Israelite woman blasphemed the Name, and cursed; and they brought him to Moses. His mother’s name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 11. The Name. Some Latin copies add, “of God;” but the best omit it, with the Hebrew and so forth This is, however, the meaning. Calmet.—The son of Salumith being in a rage, cursed that sacred name; (verse 15) and, as he perhaps had attempted to vent his fury upon whatever came in his way, God here reiterates the laws against murder, and so forth verse 17. The Jews are so much afraid of taking the name of God (Yehovah) in vain, that they have for a long time abstained from pronouncing it at all; ( Bible.) and here they have probably omitted it on purpose. Houbigant. But this seems to border upon superstition, is contrary to the design of God, who revealed that august name, and inserted it very frequently in the holy Bible, and in the very prayer, which the senators have to recite; (Deuteronomy 21:8,) and, can any one suppose, that he would not have them pronounce it, even in their solemn devotions? Many of the Rabbins suppose, that blasphemy is not to be punished with death, if any other name of God be used: but others are more reasonable. Our Saviour was not accused by the Jews of transgressing, in this respect, when they condemned him as guilty of blasphemy. Matthew 26:64. The name of God, is often used in the same sense as we use the words majesty, lordship, and so forth as being more emphatical, and dignified. Calmet.