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3,811 commentary entries
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible
Allotment of the Conquered Lands. (b. c. 1451.)
ALLOTMENT OF THE CONQUERED LANDS. (B. C. 1451.) Having shown how this country which they were now in was conquered, in these verses he shows how it was settled upon the Reubenites, Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasse…
Joshua Named as Moses's Successor. (b. c. 1451.)
JOSHUA NAMED AS MOSES'S SUCCESSOR. (B. C. 1451.) Here is I. The encouragement which Moses gave to Joshua, who was to succeed him in the government, Deuteronomy 3:21-22. He commanded him not to fear. Thus those that are…
Exhortations and Arguments. (b. c. 1451.)
EXHORTATIONS AND ARGUMENTS. (B. C. 1451.) This most lively and excellent discourse is so entire, and the particulars of it are so often repeated, that we must take it altogether in the exposition of it, and endeavour to…
Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 4:41-49
Here is, 1. The nomination of the cities of refuge on that side Jordan where Israel now lay encamped. Three cities were appointed for that purpose, one in the lot of Reuben, another in that of Gad, and another in that o…
The Decalogue Repeated. (b. c. 1451.)
THE DECALOGUE REPEATED. (B. C. 1451.) Here, 1. Moses summons the assembly. He called all Israel; not only the elders, but, it is likely, as many of the people as could come within hearing, Deuteronomy 5:1. The greatest…
Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 5:6-22
Here is the repetition of the ten commandments, in which observe, 1. Though they had been spoken before, and written, yet they are again rehearsed; for precept must be upon precept, and line upon line, and all little en…
Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 5:23-33
Here, I. Moses reminds them of the agreement of both the parties that were now treating, in the mediation of Moses. 1. Here is the consternation that the people were put into by that extreme terror with which the law wa…
Summary of Religion. (b. c. 1451.)
SUMMARY OF RELIGION. (B. C. 1451.) Observe here, 1. That Moses taught the people all that, and that only, which God commanded him to teach them, Deuteronomy 6:1. Thus Christ's ministers are to teach his churches all tha…
Cautions and Precepts. (b. c. 1451.)
CAUTIONS AND PRECEPTS. (B. C. 1451.) Here is, I. A brief summary of religion, containing the first principles of faith and obedience, Deuteronomy 6:4-5. These two verses the Jews reckon one of the choicest portions of s…
A Charge to Israel. (b. c. 1451.)
A CHARGE TO ISRAEL. (B. C. 1451.) Here, I. Moses charges them to keep God's commandments themselves: You shall diligently keep God's commandments, Deuteronomy 6:17-19. Note, It requires a great deal of care and pains to…
A Caution Against Idolatry. (b. c. 1451.)
A CAUTION AGAINST IDOLATRY. (B. C. 1451.) Here is, I. A very strict caution against all friendship and fellowship with idols and idolaters. Those that are taken into communion with God must have no communication with th…
Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 7:12-26
Here, I. The caution against idolatry is repeated, and against communion with idolaters: "Thou shalt consume the people, and not serve their gods." Deuteronomy 7:16. We are in danger of having fellowship with the works…
A Charge to Israel; Israel's Retrospect. (b. c. 1451.)
A CHARGE TO ISRAEL; ISRAEL'S RETROSPECT. (B. C. 1451.) The charge here given them is the same as before, to keep and do all God's commandments. Their obedience must be, 1. Careful: Observe to do. 2. Universal: To do all…
Cautions Relating to Worldly Prosperity. (b. c. 1451.)
CAUTIONS RELATING TO WORLDLY PROSPERITY. (B. C. 1451.) Moses, having mentioned the great plenty they would find in the land of Canaan, finds it necessary to caution them against the abuse of that plenty, which was a sin…
Victory Promised. (b. c. 1451.)
VICTORY PROMISED. (B. C. 1451.) The call to attention (Deuteronomy 9:1), Hear, O Israel, intimates that this was a new discourse, delivered at some distance of time after the former, probably the next sabbath day. I. Mo…
Cautions Against Self-Righteousness; Israel Reminded of Their Rebellions. (b. c. 1451.)
CAUTIONS AGAINST SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS; ISRAEL REMINDED OF THEIR REBELLIONS. (B. C. 1451.) That they might have no pretence to think that God brought them to Canaan for their righteousness, Moses here shows them what a mir…
God's Great Kindness to Israel. (b. c. 1451.)
GOD'S GREAT KINDNESS TO ISRAEL. (B. C. 1451.) There were four things in and by which God showed himself reconciled to Israel and made them truly great and happy, and in which God's goodness took occasion from their badn…
Exhortation to Obedience. (b. c. 1451.)
EXHORTATION TO OBEDIENCE. (B. C. 1451.) Here is a most pathetic exhortation to obedience, inferred from the premises, and urged with very powerful arguments and a great deal of persuasive rhetoric. Moses brings it in li…
Persuasives to Obedience. (b. c. 1451.)
PERSUASIVES TO OBEDIENCE. (B. C. 1451.) Because God has made thee as the stars of heaven for multitude (so the preceding chapter concludes), therefore thou shalt love the Lord thy God (so this begins). Those whom God ha…
Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 11:8-17
Still Moses urges the same subject, as loth to conclude till he had gained his point. "If thou wilt enter into life, if thou wilt enter into Canaan, a type of that life, and find it a good land indeed to thee, keep the…
Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 11:18-25
Here, I. Moses repeats the directions he had given for the guidance and assistance of the people in their obedience, and for the keeping up of religion among them (Deuteronomy 11:18-20), which is much to the same purpor…
The Blessing and the Curse. (b. c. 1451.)
THE BLESSING AND THE CURSE. (B. C. 1451.) Here Moses concludes his general exhortations to obedience; and his management is very affecting, and such as, one would think, should have engaged them for ever to God, and sho…
Relics of Idolatry to Be Destroyed. (b. c. 1451.)
RELICS OF IDOLATRY TO BE DESTROYED. (B. C. 1451.) From those great original truths, That there is a God, and that there is but one God, arise those great fundamental laws, That that God is to be worshipped, and he only,…
Where Sacrifices Must Be Offered; Ceremonial Observances; Cautions Against Idolatrous Rites. (b. c. 1451.)
WHERE SACRIFICES MUST BE OFFERED; CEREMONIAL OBSERVANCES; CAUTIONS AGAINST IDOLATROUS RITES. (B. C. 1451.) There is not any one particular precept (as I remember) in all the law of Moses so largely pressed and inculcate…