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Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible
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 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
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 31:13-24
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…
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
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…
The Request of the Reubenites. (b. c. 1452.)
THE REQUEST OF THE REUBENITES. (B. C. 1452.) Israel's tents were now pitched in the plains of Moab, where they continued many months, looking back upon the conquests they had already made of the land of Sihon and Og, an…
Matthew Henry on Numbers 32:16-27
We have here the accommodating of the matter between Moses and the two tribes, about their settlement on this side Jordan. Probably the petitioners withdrew, and considered with themselves what answer they should return…
Inheritance of the Reubenites. (b. c. 1452.)
INHERITANCE OF THE REUBENITES. (B. C. 1452.) Here, 1. Moses settles this matter with Eleazar, and with Joshua who was to be his successor, knowing that he himself must not live to see it perfected, Numbers 32:28-30. He…
Encampments of the Israelites. (b. c. 1452.)
ENCAMPMENTS OF THE ISRAELITES. (B. C. 1452.) This is a review and brief rehearsal of the travels of the children of Israel through the wilderness. It was a memorable history and well worthy to be thus abridged, and the…
The Canaanites Doomed. (b. c. 1452.)
THE CANAANITES DOOMED. (B. C. 1452.) While the children of Israel were in the wilderness their total separation from all other people kept them out of the way of temptation to idolatry, and perhaps this was one thing in…
The Boundaries of Canaan. (b. c. 1452.)
THE BOUNDARIES OF CANAAN. (B. C. 1452.) We have here a particular draught of the line by which the land of Canaan was meted, and bounded, on all sides. God directs Moses to settle it here, not as a geographer in his map…
Matthew Henry on Numbers 34:16-29
God here appoints commissioners for the dividing of the land to them. The conquest of it is taken for granted, though as yet there was never a stroke struck towards it. Here is no nomination of the generals and commande…
The Cities of the Levites. (b. c. 1452.)
THE CITIES OF THE LEVITES. (B. C. 1452.) The laws about the tithes and offerings had provided very plentifully for the maintenance of the Levites, but it was not to be thought, nor indeed was it for the public good, tha…
The Cities of Refuge. (b. c. 1452.)
THE CITIES OF REFUGE. (B. C. 1452.) We have here the orders given concerning the cities of refuge, fitly annexed to what goes before, because they were all Levites' cities. In this part of the constitution there is a gr…
The Law of Inheritance. (b. c. 1452.)
THE LAW OF INHERITANCE. (B. C. 1452.) We have here the humble address which the heads of the tribe of Manasseh made to Moses and the princes, on occasion of the order lately made concerning the daughters of Zelophehad.…
Matthew Henry on Numbers 36:5-13
Here is, I. The matter settled by express order from God between the daughters of Zelophehad and the rest of the tribe of Manasseh. The petition is assented to, and care taken to prevent the inconvenience feared: The tr…
Israel's History Repeated. (b. c. 1451.)
ISRAEL'S HISTORY REPEATED. (B. C. 1451.) We have here, I. The date of this sermon which Moses preached to the people of Israel. A great auditory, no question, he had, as many as could crowd within hearing, and particula…
The Charge to Magistrates. (b. c. 1451.)
THE CHARGE TO MAGISTRATES. (B. C. 1451.) Moses here reminds them of the happy constitution of their government, which was such as might make them all safe and easy if it was not their own fault. When good laws were give…
Israel's Sin at Kadesh. (b. c. 1451.)
ISRAEL'S SIN AT KADESH. (B. C. 1451.) Moses here makes a large rehearsal of the fatal turn which was given to their affairs by their own sins, and God's wrath, when, from the very borders of Canaan, the honour of conque…
The Seed of Esau and Lot Spared. (b. c. 1451.)
THE SEED OF ESAU AND LOT SPARED. (B. C. 1451.) Here is, I. A short account of the long stay of Israel in the wilderness: We compassed Mount Seir many days, Deuteronomy 2:1. Nearly thirty-eight years they wandered in the…
Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 2:8-23
It is observable here that Moses, speaking of the Edomites (Deuteronomy 2:8), calls them, "our brethren, the children of Esau." Though they had been unkind to Israel, in refusing them a peaceable passage through their c…
History of the Moabites. (b. c. 1451.)
HISTORY OF THE MOABITES. (B. C. 1451.) God having tried the self-denial of his people in forbidding them to meddle with the Moabites and Ammonites, and they having quietly passed by those rich countries, and, though sup…
Sihon and Og Subdued. (b. c. 1451.)
SIHON AND OG SUBDUED. (B. C. 1451.) We have here another brave country delivered into the hand of Israel, that of Bashan; the conquest of Sihon is often mentioned together with that of Og, to the praise of God, the rath…