Chapter 18:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 Numbers Joshua
Deuteronomy 18
Rules concerning priests and Levites, ver. 1-8. Cautions
against witchcraft, ver. 9-14. A promise of Christ, ver. 15-19. The
punishment and mark of a false prophet, ver. 20-22.
Verse 1. His inheritance - The Lord's portion or inheritance, which God
had reserved to himself, as tithes and first fruits, and other
oblations distinct from those which were made by fire.
Verse 3. The maw - The Hebrew word here rendered maw or stomach,
may have another signification, and some render it the breast,
others take it for the part, which lies under the breast.
Verse 6. With all the desire of his mind - With full purpose to fix his
abode, and to spend his whole time and strength in the service of
God. It seems, the several priests were to come from their cities to
the temple by turns, before David's time; and it is certain they did
so after it. But if any of them were not contented with this
attendance upon God in his tabernacle, or temple, and desired
more entirely and constantly to devote himself to God's service
there, he was permitted so to do, because this was an eminent act
of piety joined with self - denial, to part with those great
conveniences which he enjoyed in the city of his possession.
Verse 8. Like portions - With their brethren who were in actual
ministration: as they share with them in the work, so shall they in
the encouragements. Beside that which cometh - The reason of
this law was, because he that waited on the altar, ought to live by
the altar: and because it was fit he should keep his money,
wherewith he might redeem what he sold, if afterwards he saw
occasion for it. Mr. Henry adds a remarkable note here: especially
considering he wrote threescore years ago. "A hearty, pious zeal
to serve God and his church, tho' it may a little encroach upon a
settled order, and there may be somewhat in it that looks irregular,
yet ought to be gratified, and not discouraged. He that loves
dearly to be employed in the service of the sanctuary: in God's
name let him minster. He shall be as welcome to God as the
Levites, whose course it was to minister, and should be so to
them."
Verse 10. Useth divination - Foretelleth things secret or to come, by
unlawful arts and practices. An observer of times - Superstitiously
pronouncing some days lucky, and others unlucky. Or, an
observer of the clouds or heavens, one that divineth by the
motions of the clouds, by the stars, or by the flying or chattering
of birds, all which Heathens used to observe. An inchanter - Or, a
conjecturer, that discovers hidden things by a superstitious use of
words or ceremonies, by observation of water or smoke or any
contingencies. A witch - One that is in covenant with the devil.
Verse 11. A charmer - One that charmeth serpents or other cattle. Or, a
fortune-teller, that foretelleth the events of men's lives by the
conjunctions of the stars. Spirits - Whom they call upon by certain
words or rites. A wizard - Hebrew. a knowing man, who by any
forbidden way's undertakes the Revelation of secret things. A
necromancer - One that calleth up and inquireth of the dead.
Verse 13. Perfect - Sincerely and wholly his, seeking him and cleaving
to him and to his word alone, and therefore abhorring all
commerce and conversations with devils.
Verse 14. Hath not suffered thee so to do - Hath not suffered thee to
follow these superstitious and diabolical practices, as he hath
suffered other nations to do, but hath instructed thee better by his
word and spirit, and will more fully instruct thee by a great
prophet.
Verse 15. Will raise up - Will produce and send into the world in due
time. A prophet like unto me - Christ was truly, and in all
commendable parts like him, in being both a prophet and a king
and a priest and mediator, in the excellency of his ministry and
work, in the glory of his miracles, in his familiar and intimate
converse with God.
Verse 19. I will require it - I will punish him severely for it. The sad
effect of this threatning the Jews have felt for above sixteen
hundred years together.
Verse 22. If the thing - Which he gives as a sign of the truth of his
prophecy. The falsehood of his prediction shews him to be a false
prophet. Presumptuously - Impudently ascribing his own vain and
lying fancies to the God of truth.
Chapter 18:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 Numbers Joshua
This version of Wesley's Notes on the Bible is a derivative of an electronic version, Copyright 1997, by Sulu D. Kelley. All rights reserved. Used by permission. It may not be modified or used commercially without permission of Wesleyan Heritage Publishing and Sulu Kelley. A special thanks to Mr. Kelley and Wesleyan Heritage Publishing for permission to create and post this version of Wesley's Notes on the Bible.
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