Westminster Annotations, Numbers · Chapter 33
CHAP. XXXIII.
Vers. 1. UNder the hand] That is, by conduct and guidance of Moses and Aaron, by whose word they were to be led, as a child held by the hands of his father.
V. 2. their journeys] Wherein the places of their mansion are mentioned by particular names, given them partly by God, and partly by the people upon particular occasions; for it is not like, that the places of the desert had so many distinct appellations before their travels and encampings there: of divers of them there is no mention in the former story, as of their encamping by the red Sea, vers. 10. of their encamping at▪ Dophkah, vers. 12. at Rissah, vers. 21. and Ebronah, vers. 34. In this various wandring the condition of the Church (which is a pilgrimage) is prefigured; for those who are heires of heaven, are as younger brothers on earth, without any fixed seat, and as pilgrimes and sojourners are put to shift from place to place. See Gen. 47. 9. 1 Chron. 29. 15. 1 Pet. 1. 17. Hebr. 11. 9, 10, 13, 14.
V. 3. Rameses] A Province or Countrey in the Land of Egypt; Gen. 47. 11. there was a Citie of that name in the utmost parts of Egypt, built by the Israelites during their servitude, and this was the place here spoken of.
first monethmonth] Answering to part of March, and part of April.
the morrow after] That is, after the killing of the Paschall Lambe.
V. 4. their gods] That is, their men of authoritie; or their Idols, of which the cattell killed with the murraine were some part; and but a part, for Egypt abounds with the multitude of Idols, upon which, (of what sort so ever they were) God executed judgement. Exod. 12. 12. What is here from the fifth vers. to the eighteenth, is in Exod. 12. to the 18.
Vers. 6. Etham] Where their guidance by the cloudy pillar is first mentioned. See Annot. on Exod. 13. 22.
V. 8. Sea] That is, the red Sea, through which the Israelites safely passed, and in which the Egyptians were overwhelmed.
Marah] See Annot. on Exod. 15. 23.
V. 11. Sin] See Annot. on Exod. 16. 1.
V. 14. Rephidim] See Exod. 17. vers. 1.
V. 15. wildernesse of Sinai] See Exod. 19. 1.
V. 16. Kibroth-Hattaavah] See Numb. 11. 34.
V. 17. Hazeroth] See Chap. 11. 35.
V. 18. Ritbmah] See Chap. 13. 1.
V. 38. fifth monethmonth] The Hebrew word is Ab; this monethmonth answereth to part of July, and part of August.
V. 39. when he dyed] Moses died in the 120. yeare of his age, being younger then Aaron by three yeares; so Aaron dying (as here is said) in his 123. yeare: it appeareth they dyed both in one yeare, which was the fourtieth yeare from their departure out of Egypt.
V. 45. Dibon Gad] So called because the Gadites built it, Numb. 32. 34. and to distinguish it from another Dibon which the Reubenites possessed, Josh. 13. vers. 15, 17.
V. 47. Nebo] The name of a part of the mountaines of Abarim; on which Nebo Moses died. See Annot. on Chap. 27. vers. 12. & Deut. 32. vers. 49, 50.
V. 49. Beth-jeshimoth even unto] Staying first a time at Beth-jeshimoth, where they made one mansion; and then going to Abel-Shittim where they made another.
V. 52. pictures] Statues, or idolatrous representations, which were set up in their high places to worship.
high places] That is, Idolatrous Chappels, and Altars built on high hils, where the Heathens celebrated their idolatrous rites and ceremonies to their false gods; Deut. 12. 2.
V. 55. pricks in your eyes] They will not spare your most …ender parts, if you spare them; but with sharpest weapons will pricke and gore you without mercy or measure, if you suffer them to remain among you.