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The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 19:12
With it. בּו i.e; as the sense clearly demands, with the water of separation.
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 19:13
Defileth the tabernacle of the Lord. On the bearing of this remarkable announcement see Le Numbers 15:31. The uncleanness of death was not simply a personal matter, it involved, if not duly purged, the whole congregatio…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 19:14
This is the law. הַתּוֹרָה. By this law the extent of the infection is rigidly defined, as its duration by the last. In a tent. This fixes the date of the law as given in the wilderness, but it leaves in some uncertaint…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 19:15
Which hath no covering bound upon it. So the Septuagint ( ὅσα οὐχὶ δεσμὸν καταδέδεται ἐπ αὐτῷ), and this is the sense. In the Hebrew פָּתִיל, a string, stands in apposition to חָּמִיד, a covering. If the vesse…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 19:16
One that is slain with a sword. This would apply especially, it would seem, to the field of battle; but the law must certainly have been relaxed in the case of soldiers. Or a bone of a man, or a grave. Thus the defileme…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 19:17
Running water. Septuagint, ὕδωρ ζῶν (cf. Le Numbers 14:5; John 4:10).
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 19:18
Shall take hyssop. See Exodus 12:22, and cf. Psalms 51:7.
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 19:19
On the third day, and on the seventh day. The twice-repeated application of holy water marked the clinging nature of the pollution to be removed; so also the repetition of the threat in the following verse marked the he…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 19:21
It shall be a perpetual statute. This formula usually emphasizes something of solemn importance. In this case, as apparently above in Numbers 19:10, the regulations thus enforced might seem of trifling moment. But the w…
Matthew Henry on Numbers 20:1-13
After thirty-eight years' tedious abode in the wilderness, the armies of Israel advanced towards Canaan again. There was no water for the congregation. We live in a wanting world, and wherever we are, must expect to mee…
The Death of Miriam; The Water of Meribah; Moses and Aaron Reproved. (b. c. 1453.)
THE DEATH OF MIRIAM; THE WATER OF MERIBAH; MOSES AND AARON REPROVED. (B. C. 1453.) After thirty-eight years' tedious marches, or rather tedious rests, in the wilderness, backward towards the Red Sea, the armies of Israe…
Matthew Henry on Numbers 20:14-21
The nearest way to Canaan from the place where Israel encamped, was through the country of Edom. The ambassadors who were sent returned with a denial. The Edomites feared to receive damage by the Israelites. And had thi…
Ambassadors Sent to Edom. (b. c. 1452.)
AMBASSADORS SENT TO EDOM. (B. C. 1452.) We have here the application made by Israel to the Edomites. The nearest way to Canaan from the place where Israel now lay encamped was through the country of Edom. Now, I. Moses…
Matthew Henry on Numbers 20:22-29
God bids Aaron prepare to die. There is something of displeasure in these orders. Aaron must not enter Canaan, because he had failed in his duty at the waters of strife. There is much of mercy in them. Aaron, though he…
The Edomites Refuse a Passage to Israel; The Death of Aaron. (b. c. 1452.)
THE EDOMITES REFUSE A PASSAGE TO ISRAEL; THE DEATH OF AARON. (B. C. 1452.) The chapter began with the funeral of Miriam, and it ends with the funeral of her brother Aaron. When death comes into a family, it often strike…
Matthew Henry on Numbers 21:1-3
Before the people began their march round the country of Edom, the king of Arad, a Canaanite, who inhabited the southern part of the country, attacked them in the wilderness, and took some prisoners. This was to lead th…
Arad Subdued. (b. c. 1452.)
ARAD SUBDUED. (B. C. 1452.) Here is, 1. The descent which Arad the Canaanite made upon the camp of Israel, hearing that they came by the way of the spies; for, though the spies which Moses had sent thirty-eight years be…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 21:1-3
VICTORY WON, AND FOLLOWED UP In this brief narrative of three verses we have by anticipation almost the whole spiritual teaching of the Book of Joshua; we have, namely, the struggle and the victory of the soldier of Chr…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 21:1-3
EXPOSITION THE LAST MARCH: FROM MOUNT HOR TO JORDAN (CHAPTER 21-22:1). EPISODE OF THE KING OF ARAD (Numbers 21:1-3).
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 21:1
And when king Arad the Canaanite, which dwelt in the south, heard tell. Rather, "And the Canaanite, the king of Arad, which dwelt in the Negeb, heard tell." It is possible that Arad was the name of the king (it occurs a…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 21:2
And Israel vowed a vow. On these vows, and on things "devoted" or "banned" ( חֵרֶם— ἀνάθεμα), see on Le 27:28, and on the moral character of such wholesale slaughters see on Numbers 31:1-54. If it was right to destroy…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 21:3
They utterly destroyed them and their cities. Rather, "they banned ( יַּחַרֵם— ἀναθεμάτισεν) them and their cities." No doubt the banning implies here their utter destruction, because it is not the vow before the batt…
Matthew Henry on Numbers 21:4-9
The children of Israel were wearied by a long march round the land of Edom. They speak discontentedly of what God had done for them, and distrustfully of what he would do. What will they be pleased with, whom manna will…
The Brazen Serpent. (b. c. 1452.)
THE BRAZEN SERPENT. (B. C. 1452.) Here is, I. The fatigue of Israel by a long march round the land of Edom, because they could not obtain passage through it the nearest way: The soul of the people was much discouraged b…