Westminster Annotations, Leviticus · Chapter 24
CHAP. XXIIII.
Vers. 2. THat they bring] The Priests, and Levites were to doe the service of the Sanctuary, but the people were to beare the charge; since the ministration was not for the Ministers themselves, but for the people also: hence were their oblations, Exod. 23. 15. & Chap. 30. 13. and it is like the treasurie, Luk. 21. 1. was to receive the gifts and oblations of well disposed persons for the maintenance of the Temple, and for the sustenance of them that did service in it.
V. 3. vaile] Which vaile separated the Holiest of all (where was the Arke of the Testimony) from the Sanctuary; so it is without the Holy of Holies.
V. 5. bake] It seemeth by 1 Chron. 9. 32. & Chap. 23. 29. to be the service of the Cohathites (which was one of the families of the Tribe of Levi) to bake the bread.
two tenths] That is, in measure two Omers; of which, see Annot. on Exod. 16. 16. and in weight every cake was thirteen pound and an halfe, allowing for every three ounces of flower, one ounce of water to temper it withall.
V. 6. two rowes, fixe on a row] They might be variously disposed either in longitude, one by another, or in altitude, one upon another; as in the Scheme in the Geneva Bible.
V. 7. on the bread for] Or, in stead of the bread; for it was burnt every Sabbath, when the bread was taken away.
memoriall] See Annot. on Gen. 9. 15, 16.
V. 8. Every Sabbath] That there may be the more store for the maintenance of the Priests, and that it be not too stale by staying too long unchanged; and the new that was brought, was, it is like, hot from the Oven, that it might not be too dry before the weeks end.
from the children of Israel] Front, It is like, being twelve, that they had one from every Tribe: Of the Levites eating the Shew-bread, see 1 Sam. 21.
everlasting Covenant] So perpetuall Statute, vers. 9. See Chap. 3. 17. & Numb. 19. 21.
V. 9. made by fire] The bread in this respect may be said to be holier then other oblations, because it is constantly and continually presented to God, and as in his presence, is called vers. 10. in Hebrew, the bread of faces. Quest. But how is it made by fire? Answ. It is not said, that it is made by fire, but it is compared with those that are made with fire; or they may be said to be offered with fire, because that which was laid upon them was burnt with fire, and that, it may be, with some reference to them, in their stead.
V. 10. whose father was an Egyptian] When the Israelites came out of Egypt, there came with them a mixed multitude, Exod. 12. 38. whereof the greatest number of strangers were (no doubt) Egyptians, such a one by his fathers side, (though by his mothers side an Israelite) was the blasphemer. It is like his mother taught him to speake; his father, to blaspheme: that is the danger of mixed marriages; for children, like the conclusion of a Syllogisme follow the worser part.
V. 11. blasphemed] Heb. bored through. For he that is so minded, would both bore his name, and gore his person if he could.
V. 12. that the minde] Because the punishment for the blasphemer of God in particular, was not yet appointed; Moses might have put him to death by vertue of the law against cursing father or mother, Exod 21. 17. but he thought that too light, and therefore consulted with God about it.
V. 14. lay their hands] To testifie their personall charge of the sinne upon him, and to expresse their desire, that the evill of punishment may light upon his head, who is guilty of the evill of sinne; but on their own, if they in this accusation should by slander, and murder, take away first his innocencie, then his life.
V. 15. curseth] This seemes to be a more hainous sinne, then blasphemie fore-mentioned; betwixt which there may be this difference, that blasphemy may be any impeachment of the the divine honour, whether inconsiderately, or deliberately, whether with malice or without; but cursing implies an intestine and deepe malignity: howsoever in this place they were both capitall to the offender.
beare …is sinne] That is, shall be punished.
V. 16. stone him] Death was inflicted for the like offence against man; and God inflicts no more (though the sinne be infinitely more heinous) for blasphemie against himselfe; an example against partialitie to our selves, and too much severity in prosecution or punishment of those that offend us.
V. 19. so shall it be done] See Annot. on Exod. 21. 24.
V. 20. Breach for breach] Not according to every mans grudge, or desire of revenge; but as the Magistrate shall award the cause being heard.
V. 22. for the stranger] Though in ceremonials the stranger had neither priviledge in the use, nor prejudice by the omission of them, yet in capitall crimes, if they and the Israelites sinned alike, they must be punished alike.