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The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 30:1-16
VOWS UNTO THE LORD This section, although fragmentary, yet reveals to us with great clearness the Divine mind concerning one important portion of practical religion. It lays down directly the principle that vows to God…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 30:1
And Moses spake unto the heads of the tribes. The regulations here laid down about vows follow with a certain propriety upon those concerning the ordinary routine of sacrifices, but we cannot conclude with any assurance…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 30:2
If a man vow a vow. נֶדֶר, a vow, is commonly said to be distinctively a positive vow, a promise to render something unto the Lord. This, however, cannot be strictly maintained, because the Nazarite vow was healer, and…
Matthew Henry on Numbers 30:3-16
Two cases of vows are determined. The case of a daughter in her father's house. When her vow comes to his knowledge, it is in his power either to confirm it or do it away. The law is plain in the case of a wife. If her…
Matthew Henry on Numbers 30:3-16
It is here taken for granted that all such persons as are sui juris—at their own disposal, and are likewise of sound understanding and memory, are bound to perform whatever they vow that is lawful and possible; but, if…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 30:3-16
THE HEAD OF THE HOUSEHOLD HONOURED AND CAUTIONED The command contained in this section of the chapter secures a double result. 1. By specifying certain exceptions to the validity of the vow, it makes that validity all t…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 30:3
If a woman vow a vow. The fragmentary nature of this section appears from the fact that, after laying down the general principle of the sacredness of vows, it proceeds to qualify it in three special cases only of vows m…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 30:5
If her father disallow her. It appears from the previous verse that the disallowance must be spoken, and not mental only. If the vow had been made before witnesses, no doubt the father's veto must be pronounced before w…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 30:6
If she had at all a husband. Literally, "if being she be to an husband." Septuagint, ἐὰν γενομένη γένηται ἀνδρί. Case second, of a married or betrothed woman. As far as the legal status of the woman was concerned,…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 30:9
Every vow of a widow, and of her that is divorced. This is not one of the cases treated of in this section (see Numbers 30:16), but is only mentioned in order to point out that it falls under the general principle laid…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 30:10
If she vowed in her husband's house. Case third, of a married woman living with her husband. The husband had naturally the same absolute authority to allow or disallow all such vows as the father had in the ease of his…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 30:13
Oath to afflict the soul. No doubt by fasting or by other kinds of abstinence. The expression is especially used in connection with the rigorous fast of the day of atonement (Le Numbers 16:29; Numbers 29:7; and cf. Isai…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 30:15
Then he shall bear her iniquity, i.e; if he tacitly allowed the vow in the first instance, and afterwards forbad its fulfillment, the guilt which such breach of promise involved should rest upon him. For the nature and…
Matthew Henry on Numbers 31:1-6
All who, without commission from God, dare to execute private revenge, and who, from ambition, covetousness, or resentment, wage war and desolate kingdoms, must one day answer for it. But if God, instead of sending an e…
The Slaughter of the Midianites. (b. c. 1452.)
THE SLAUGHTER OF THE MIDIANITES. (B. C. 1452.) Here, I. The Lord of hosts gives orders to Moses to make war upon the Midianites, and his commission no doubt justified this war, though it will not serve to justify the li…
Matthew Henry on Numbers 31:7-12
The Israelites slew the Kings of Midian. They slew Balaam. God's overruling providence brought him thither, and their just vengeance found him. Had he himself rightly believed what he had said of the happy state of Isra…
Matthew Henry on Numbers 31:7-12
Here is, 1. The descent which this little army of Israelites made, under the divine commission, conduct, and command, upon the country of Midian. They warred against the Midianites. It is very probable that they first p…
Matthew Henry on Numbers 31:13-18
The sword of war should spare women and children; but the sword of justice should know no distinction, but that of guilty or not guilty. This war was the execution of a righteous sentence upon a guilty nation, in which…
Matthew Henry on Numbers 31:13-24
We have here the triumphant return of the army of Israel from the war with Midian, and here, I. They were met with great respect, Numbers 31:13. Moses himself, notwithstanding his age and gravity, walked out of the camp…
Matthew Henry on Numbers 31:19-24
The Israelites had to purify themselves according to the law, and to abide without the camp seven days, though they had not contracted any moral guilt, the war being just and lawful, and commanded by God. Thus God would…
Matthew Henry on Numbers 31:25-47
Whatever we have, God justly claims a part. Out of the people's share God required one in fifty, but out of the soldiers' share only one in five hundred. The less opportunity we have of honouring God with personal servi…
Distribution of the Spoil. (b. c. 1452.)
DISTRIBUTION OF THE SPOIL. (B. C. 1452.) We have here the distribution of the spoil which was taken in this expedition against Midian. God himself directed how it should be distributed, and Moses and Eleazar did accordi…
Matthew Henry on Numbers 31:48-54
The success of the Israelites had been very remarkable, so small a company overcoming such multitudes, but it was still more wonderful that not one was slain or missing. They presented the gold they found among the spoi…
Matthew Henry on Numbers 31:48-54
Here is a great example of piety and devotion in the officers of the army, the colonels, that are called captains of thousands, and the inferior officers that were captains of hundreds; they came to Moses as their gener…