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27,299 commentary entries
The Pulpit Commentary
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 5:23-28
The element of terror in religion. I. THE FACT OF TERROR. It is not unnatural that man should tremble in presence of any near manifestation of the Divine. The chief cause of this terror is the consciousness of sin. Guil…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 5:23-27
In a purely historical narrative such as that in Exodus, a condensed statement of what took place on this occasion was sufficient; but in an address to the people, it was fitting that Hoses should give it in fuller deta…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 5:32
To the right hand or to the left. "This signifieth an exact care to walk in God's Law, as in the highway, from which men may not turn aside, as in Deuteronomy 2:27" (Ainsworth); cf. Deuteronomy 17:11, Deuteronomy 17:20;…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 7:1
(Cf. Genesis 15:19-21.) Of the ten nations named by God in his promise to Abraham, only six are mentioned here, those omitted being the Kenites, the Kennizites, the Kadmonites, and the Rephaim. The Rephaim were by this…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 7:1-11
Israel's iconoclastic mission. Material idolatry is the great peril of humanity. To what corruption and misery such idolatry leads, we in Christianized England can scarcely conceive. What the history of our world would…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 7:1-26
EXPOSITION ENTIRE SEPARATION FROM IDOLATROUS NATIONS ENJOINED.
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 7:1-4
The Israelites were about to enter on a country occupied by idolaters, and they are commanded not to spare them or to allow them to continue in their proximity, or to have any friendly relations with them (cf. Le 27:28)…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 7:1-5
Extermination with a moral purpose. When the Israelites were to cross into Canaan, they were directed to exterminate the seven nations they would find there. This is their commission. The invasion is to be conducted upo…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 7:1-6
Judgment without mercy. This decree is to be viewed— I. AS A JUST JUDGMENT ON PEOPLES WHOSE INIQUITIES CRIED FOR VENGEANCE. The doomed nations had been long borne with (Genesis 15:16). Their iniquities were of a kind an…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 7:1-11
A holy people's policy of self-preservation. We have in this paragraph a glance onward to the time when Israel's march through the wilderness would be completed, and when the people to whom God had given the land should…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 7:3
Neither shalt thou make marriages with them. Brought into intimate relations with idolaters, they might be seduced into idolatry; and where marriage was contracted with an idolater, the children might be brought up in i…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 7:4
From following me; literally, from after me, i.e. from being my servant and worshipper. Suddenly; rather, speedily ( מהֵר, infin; of מָהַר, to be quick, to hasten, used as an adverb).
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 7:5-8
They were not only to have no fellowship with the idolaters, but they were to root out their idolatry, everting their altars and destroying their idols; and this because they were a holy people, graciously chosen of God…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 7:5
Cut down their groves; rather, cut or hew in pieces their asherahs. These were, apparently, wooden pillars of considerable height, which were firmly planted in the ground (comp. 6:25-27; Deuteronomy 16:21)? and were con…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 7:6-9
Reasons for non-conformity to the world, and for aggression on its evil. I. THE HOLINESS OF OUR CALLING. (Deuteronomy 7:6.) The believer stands to God in the relation described in this verse. He is one chosen from the u…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 7:6-8
On the election of rations. We are here introduced to remarkable words touching the election of, or we might say, selection of the Jews. The leading principles of the Divine administration are here set before us. The fo…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 7:6
An holy people; a people consecrated to God, to be holy as he is holy (cf. Le 11:43-45; Deuteronomy 19:2; Deuteronomy 20:1-20 :26; Deuteronomy 21:6; Deuteronomy 23:14). A special people unto himself; literally, to be to…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 7:7
Set his love upon you. The Hebrew verb meaning primarily to cleave to, to be attached to, is used to express ardent and loving affection (cf. Genesis 34:8; Deuteronomy 10:15; Isaiah 38:17). The fewest of all people. It…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 7:8
Because the Lord loved you. Targum Onkelos, "Because he had complacency in you;" Vulgate, quia vobis junctus est. "Instead of saying, He hath chosen you out of love to your fathers, as in Deuteronomy 4:37, Moses brings…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 7:9
To a thousand generations; rather, to the thousandth generation. As God is faithful to his covenant, and will show mercy and do good to those that love him, whilst on those who hate him he will bring terrible retributio…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 7:9-16
The Divine veracity. Moses here speaks of the Divine faithfulness to those that love him, and also to those that hate him. Those who love him will have his mercy unto a thousand generations; those who hate him will have…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 7:10
And repayeth them that hate him to their face. The phrase, "to their face "( אל פָנָיו, to their faces), has been variously explained. It has been taken as meaning, instantly, statim, hand cunctanter (Vulgate, Gesenius)…
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 7:11
As God would thus summarily avenge himself of his adversaries, the people are exhorted to keep all his commandments, statutes, and rights.
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 7:12
On the other hand, obedience would bring blessing. Wherefore it shall come to pass, if ye hearken. The Hebrew conveys the idea of a reward as consequent on their hearkening; as there would be retribution for transgressi…