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Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible
Matthew Henry on Leviticus 11:43-47
Here is, I. The exposition of this law, or a key to let us into the meaning of it. It was not intended merely for a bill of fare, or as the directions of a physician about their diet, but God would hereby teach them to…
Ceremonial Purification. (b. c. 1490.)
CEREMONIAL PURIFICATION. (B. C. 1490.) The law here pronounces women lying-in ceremonially unclean. The Jews say, "The law extended even to an abortion, if the child was so formed as that the sex was distinguishable." 1…
Matthew Henry on Leviticus 12:6-8
A woman that had lain in, when the time set for her return to the sanctuary had come, was not to attend there empty, but must bring her offerings, Leviticus 12:6. 1. A burnt-offering; a lamb if she was able, if poor, a…
The Law Concerning Leprosy. (b. c. 1490.)
THE LAW CONCERNING LEPROSY. (B. C. 1490.) I. Concerning the plague of leprosy we may observe in general, 1. That it was rather an uncleanness than a disease; or, at least, so the law considered it, and therefore employe…
Matthew Henry on Leviticus 13:18-37
The priest is here instructed what judgment to make if there was any appearance of a leprosy, either, 1. In an old ulcer, or bile, that has been healed, Leviticus 13:18, &c. When old sores, that seemed to be cured, brea…
Matthew Henry on Leviticus 13:38-46
We have here, I. Provisos that neither a freckled skin nor a bald head should be mistaken for a leprosy, Leviticus 13:38-41. Every deformity must not forthwith be made a ceremonial defilement. Elisha was jeered for his…
Matthew Henry on Leviticus 13:47-59
This is the law concerning the plague of leprosy in a garment, whether linen or woollen. A leprosy in a garment, with discernible indications of it, the colour changed by it, the garment fretted, the nap worn off, and t…
The Law Concerning Leprosy. (b. c. 1490.)
THE LAW CONCERNING LEPROSY. (B. C. 1490.) Here, I. It is supposed that the plague of the leprosy was not an incurable disease. Uzziah's indeed continued to the day of his death, and Gehazi's was entailed upon his seed;…
Matthew Henry on Leviticus 14:10-20
Observe, I. To complete the purification of the leper, on the eighth day, after the former solemnity performed without the camp, and, as it should seem, before he returned to his own habitation, he was to attend at the…
Matthew Henry on Leviticus 14:21-32
We have here the gracious provision which the law made for the cleansing of poor lepers. If they were not able to bring three lambs, and three tenth-deals of flour, they must bring one lamb, and one tenth-deal of flour,…
Matthew Henry on Leviticus 14:33-53
This is the law concerning the leprosy in a house. Now that they were in the wilderness they dwelt in tents, and had no houses, and therefore the law is made only an appendix to the former laws concerning the leprosy, b…
Matthew Henry on Leviticus 14:54-57
This is the conclusion of this law concerning the leprosy. There is no repetition of it in Deuteronomy, only a general memorandum given (Deuteronomy 24:8), Take heed in the plague of leprosy. We may see in this law, 1.…
Ceremonial Purification. (b. c. 1490.)
CEREMONIAL PURIFICATION. (B. C. 1490.) We have here the law concerning the ceremonial uncleanness that was contracted by running issues in men. It is called in the margin (Leviticus 15:2) the running of the reins: a ver…
Matthew Henry on Leviticus 15:19-33
This is concerning the ceremonial uncleanness which women lay under from their issues, both those that were regular and healthful, and according to the course of nature (Leviticus 15:19-24), and those that were unseason…
The Great Day of Atonement. (b. c. 1490.)
THE GREAT DAY OF ATONEMENT. (B. C. 1490.) Here is, I. The date of this law concerning the day of atonement: it was after the death of the two sons of Aaron (Leviticus 16:1), which we read, Leviticus 10:1. 1. Lest Aaron…
Matthew Henry on Leviticus 16:5-14
The Jewish writers say that for seven days before the day of expiation the high priest was to retire from his own house, and to dwell in a chamber of the temple, that he might prepare himself for the service of this gre…
Matthew Henry on Leviticus 16:15-19
When the priest had come out from the sprinkling the blood of the bullock before the mercy-seat, 1. He must next kill the goat which was the sin-offering for the people (Leviticus 16:15) and go the third time into the h…
Matthew Henry on Leviticus 16:20-28
The high priest having presented unto the Lord the expiatory sacrifices, by the sprinkling of their blood, the remainder of which, it is probable, he poured out at the foot of the brazen altar, 1. He is next to confess…
Matthew Henry on Leviticus 16:29-34
I. We have here some additional directions in reference to this great solemnity, particularly, 1. The day appointed for this solemnity. It must be observed yearly on the tenth day of the seventh month, Leviticus 16:29.…
Directions Concerning Sacrifices. (b. c. 1490.)
DIRECTIONS CONCERNING SACRIFICES. (B. C. 1490.) This statute obliged all the people of Israel to bring all their sacrifices to God's altar, to be offered there. And as to this matter we must consider, I. How it stood be…
The Eating of Blood Forbidden. (b. c. 1490.)
THE EATING OF BLOOD FORBIDDEN. (B. C. 1490.) We have here, I. A repetition and confirmation of the law against eating blood. We have met with this prohibition twice before in the levitical law (Leviticus 3:17), besides…
Cautions against Idolatrous Practices. (b. c. 1490.)
CAUTIONS AGAINST IDOLATROUS PRACTICES. (B. C. 1490.) After divers ceremonial institutions, God here returns to the enforcement of moral precepts. The former are still of use to us as types, the latter still binding as l…
Incest Defined and Forbidden; Against Marrying Near Relations. (b. c. 1490.)
INCEST DEFINED AND FORBIDDEN; AGAINST MARRYING NEAR RELATIONS. (B. C. 1490.) These laws relate to the seventh commandment, and, no doubt, are obligatory on us under the gospel, for they are consonant to the very light a…
Laws against Iniquity. (b. c. 1490.)
LAWS AGAINST INIQUITY. (B. C. 1490.) Here is, I. A law to preserve the honour of the marriage-bed, that it should not be unseasonably used (Leviticus 18:19), nor invaded by an adulterer, Leviticus 18:20. II. A law again…