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3,811 commentary entries
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible
Promises. (b. c. 1490.)
PROMISES. (B. C. 1490.) Here is, I. The inculcating of those precepts of the law which were of the greatest consequence, and by which were of the greatest consequence, and by which especially their obedience would be tr…
Threatenings. (b. c. 1490.)
THREATENINGS. (B. C. 1490.) After God had set the blessing before them (the life and good which would make them a happy people if they would be obedient), he here sets the curse before them, the death and evil which wou…
Threatenings and Promises. (b. c. 1490.)
THREATENINGS AND PROMISES. (B. C. 1490.) Here the chapter concludes with gracious promises of the return of God's favour to them upon their repentance, that they might not (unless it were their own fault) pine away in t…
The Law Concerning Vows. (b. c. 1490.)
THE LAW CONCERNING VOWS. (B. C. 1490.) This is part of the law concerning singular vows, extraordinary ones, which though God did not expressly insist on, yet, if they were consistent with and conformable to the general…
Concerning Things Sanctified. (b. c. 1490.)
CONCERNING THINGS SANCTIFIED. (B. C. 1490.) Here is the law concerning real estates dedicated to the service of God by a singular vow. I. Suppose a man, in his zeal for the honour of God, should sanctify his house to Go…
Matthew Henry on Leviticus 27:26-34
Here is, I. A caution given that no man should make such a jest of sanctifying things to the Lord as to sanctify any firstling to him, for that was his already by the law, Leviticus 27:26. Though the matter of a general…
The Numbering of the Israelites. (b. c. 1490.)
THE NUMBERING OF THE ISRAELITES. (B. C. 1490.) I. We have here a commission issued out for the numbering of the people of Israel; and David, long after, paid dearly for doing it without a commission. Here is, 1. The dat…
Matthew Henry on Numbers 1:17-43
We have here the speedy execution of the orders given for the numbering of the people. It was begun the same day that the orders were given, The first day of the second month; compare Numbers 1:1. Note, When any work is…
Matthew Henry on Numbers 1:44-46
We have here the sum total at the foot of the account; they were in all 600,000 fighting men, and 3550 over. Some think that when this was their number some months before (Exodus 38:26) the Levites were reckoned with th…
Matthew Henry on Numbers 1:47-54
Care is here taken to distinguish from the rest of the tribes the tribe of Levi, which, in the matter of the golden calf, had distinguished itself, Exodus 32:26. Note, Singular services shall be recompensed with singula…
The Stations of the Several Tribes. (b. c. 1490.)
THE STATIONS OF THE SEVERAL TRIBES. (B. C. 1490.) Here is the general appointment given both for their orderly encampment where they rested and their orderly march when they moved. Some order, it is possible, they had o…
Matthew Henry on Numbers 2:3-34
We have here the particular distribution of the twelve tribes into four squadrons, three tribes in a squadron, one of which was to lead the other two. Observe, 1. God himself appointed them their place, to prevent strif…
The Separation of the Levites. (b. c. 1490.)
THE SEPARATION OF THE LEVITES. (B. C. 1490.) Here, I. The family of Aaron is confirmed in the priests' office, Numbers 3:10. They had been called to it before, and consecrated; here they are appointed to wait on their p…
Matthew Henry on Numbers 3:14-39
The Levites being granted to Aaron to minister to him, they are here delivered to him by tale, that he might know what he had, and employ them accordingly. Observe, I. By what rule they were numbered: Every male from a…
Matthew Henry on Numbers 3:40-51
Here is the exchange made of the Levites for the first-born. 1. The first-born were numbered from a month old, Numbers 3:42-43. Those certainly were not reckoned who, though first-born, had become heads of families them…
The Office of the Levites. (b. c. 1490.)
THE OFFICE OF THE LEVITES. (B. C. 1490.) We have here a second muster of the tribe of Levi. As that tribe was taken out of all Israel to be God's peculiar, so the middle-aged men of that tribe were taken from among the…
Matthew Henry on Numbers 4:21-33
We have here the charge of the other two families of the Levites, which, though not so honourable as the first, yet was necessary, and was to be done regularly. 1. The Gershonites were charged with all the drapery of th…
Matthew Henry on Numbers 4:34-49
We have here a particular account of the numbers of the three families of the Levites respectively, that is, of the effective men, between thirty years old and fifty. Observe, 1. The Kohathites were, in all, 8600 from a…
The Unclean to Be Removed. (b. c. 1490.)
THE UNCLEAN TO BE REMOVED. (B. C. 1490.) Here is, I. A command for the purifying of the camp, by turning out from within its lines all those that were ceremonially unclean, by issues, leprosies, or the touch of dead bod…
The Bitter Water of Jealousy. (b. c. 1490.)
THE BITTER WATER OF JEALOUSY. (B. C. 1490.) We have here the law concerning the solemn trial of a wife whose husband was jealous of her. Observe, I. What was the case supposed: That a man had some reason to suspect his…
The Law Concerning Nazarites. (b. c. 1490.)
THE LAW CONCERNING NAZARITES. (B. C. 1490.) After the law for the discovery and shame of those that by sin had made themselves vile, fitly follows this for the direction and encouragement of those who by their eminent p…
A Form of Benediction Appointed. (b. c. 1490.)
A FORM OF BENEDICTION APPOINTED. (B. C. 1490.) Here, I. The priests, among other good offices which they were to do, are appointed solemnly to bless the people in the name of the Lord, Numbers 6:23. It was part of their…
The Offerings of the Princes. (b. c. 1490.)
THE OFFERINGS OF THE PRINCES. (B. C. 1490.) Here is the offering of the princes to the service of the tabernacle. Observe, I. When it was; not till it was fully set up, Numbers 7:1. When all things were done both about…
Matthew Henry on Numbers 7:10-89
We have here an account of the great solemnity of dedicating the altars, both that of burnt-offerings and that of incense; they had been sanctified before, when they were anointed (Leviticus 8:10-11), but now they were…