Westminster Annotations, Leviticus · Chapter 26
CHAP. XXVI.
Vers. 2. ANd reverence] See Annot. on Chap. 19. vers. 30.
V. 4. raine] By promising abundance of earthly things, he stirreth up their mindes to consider the rich treasures of spirituall blessings.
V. 5. your threshing shall reach] Your old store shall be so much, and the new returne so soone, and be so plentifull, that before you have threshed up your former provision of corne. you shall be invited to the vintage; and before that be gathered in, (it will be so copious) the new seed-time will come upon you.
V. 6. through your land] In the furious march of a warlike enemie, who rangeth up and downe a land, to ruine and root out the people.
V. 8. five of you] A small number of yours, shall put to flight many troopes of your enemies: as Judg. 7. 22.
V. 9. establish] By reall and settled performance of what I have promised.
V. 10. because of the new] Either because now the new will secure them from want, though they liberally spend up the old; or because by the abundance of new, they shall want roome to lay it up, unlesse they take away the old.
V. 13. upright] The yoke boweth downe the head and neck, and maketh men rather of a groveling, then upright posture; but they that are freed from the yoke, goe upright.
V. 15. breake my covenant] Mine, because I first propounded it, and have authoritie to require it; and for my part shall assuredly keepe it, if you doe not set me free, by your revolt from your owne undertaking; for thereby you breake it, and I am not bound, if you forsake me, to cleave still unto you.
V. 16. consume the eyes] Or, overheat the eyes. The word Kaddabhah, in the Originall signifieth the dise…se (which Latine Authours call the Kings Evill) that is called the Jaundies, which ariseth from a distempered head, and turneth the colour of the eyes.
V. 18. seven times] That is, many times more, or more extremely. See Annot. on vers. 24.
V. 19. as iron] Neither heaven shall distill a softening rain, nor the earth be in any disposition to receive it; neither of them shall be of any more use to helpe forward the fruits of the earth, then if they were the one Iron, the other Brasse.
V. 24. seven times] It is often in this Chapter used for many times: as vers. 18, 21, 24, 28. so Prov. 24. 16. & Chap. 26. 16. Psal. 119. 164.
V. 25. quarell of my Covenant] Breach of Covenant betwixt God and man, breakes the peace, and breeds a quarell betwixt them; in which he will take vengeance of mans revolt, if by repentance and reformation his wrath be not appeased.
V. 26. staffe of your bread] That is, the strength whereby the life is sustained, Psal. 104. 15. & 105. 16. Ezek. 4. 16. & Chap. 5. 16. or supported from falling into the grave, as a staffe upholdeth a feeble body, which otherwise would fall to the ground.
ten] That is, many. See Annot. on Gen. 31. 7.
one oven] One oven shall be sufficient for ten families; not for the greatnesse of the oven, but for the scantnesse of provision.
by weight] Too light weight, either to satisfie the appetite, or to sustaine the strength. This is a great token of scarcitie, Ezek. 4. 16. Neh. 5. 6.
V. 29. of your sonnes, and of, &c.] The extremity of hunger breakes the strongest bonds of law or nature, and turnes the kindest kisses of the lips, to biting with the teeth. See Lam. 4▪ 10.
V. 30. high places] Where, after the manner of the Gentiles, the Jews set up memorials, and altars for Idols.
upon the carkasses] Images are called carkasses, because they are bodies without soules; as Psal. 115. 4. yet so, that Idolaters are often so deluded, as to thinke the false gods doe animate them, informe and quicken them; and because they are as loathsome unto God, as dead and stinking carkasses to men.
my soule] God is not as man composed of essentiall or integrall parts, a body, and a soule, and severall members; but in the Scripture condescending to our capacitie, both a soule, and passions of the minde, and parts of the body are ascribed unto him.
V. 31. sanctuaries waste] All places of publique worship, (wherein you either dishonor me by you hypocrisie,) as the Tabernacle, Exod. 25. 8. and the Temple, 1 Chron. 22. 19. or honour your Idols by your Idolatry.
not smell] I will not shew any acceptance of your sweetest oblations.
V. 33. a sword after you] You shall have enemies, and no heart to fight with them, nor safetie by flying from them.
V. 34. enjoy her Sabbaths] Being eased from the wicked weight of such inhabitants, which brought upon it heavy curses, and toyled, and tired it out with continuall tillage.
V. 39. of their fathers] For as much as they are guilty of their fathers faults, they shall be punished, as well as their fathers.
V. 41. accept of the punishment] As throughly deserved on their part, and justly inflicted on Gods part; so that they glorifie his justice, and kissing the rod of their correction, implore his mercy.
V. 43. while she li…th] See Annot. on vers. 34.