Westminster Annotations, Deuteronomy · Chapter 15 – Chapter 16
CHAP. XV.
Vers. 1. ENd of eueryevery seven yeares] Vers. 12. Exod. 21. 2. & 23. 11. Levit. 25. 4. Jer. 34. 14.
V. 2. shall release it] To such poore debtors as are not able to pay what is due to be paid that yeare, so it appeareth by vers. 4. This release is taken by some to be but a forbearance of payment for that yeare, which might be exacted the yeare following, but if the partie were as unable that yeare as the former, it was not then to be called for, and the lender was to expect a recompence from the blessing of God, vers. 6.
neighbour or brother] By this is understood a neighbour or brother not by communitie of humane nature, (as sometimes it is) but by nation: so that one of another nation, though a proselyte or convert, if he were not a naturall Jew, was not (as some restraine the rule) to have this priviledge, who, if they had not to pay, were to make recompence by service. But it is more probable that his Religion gave him as much priviledge as his carnall kindred could doe, and therefore that the proselyte shall be taken for a neighbour and brother, and so have as much favour for Gods sake (if not more) as for mans.
V. 4. save when] Or, that there be no poore among you; That is, made poore by exacting that of them which they are not able to pay: for God will have poore alwayes for the exercise of the charitie of the rich, Vers. Matth. 26. 11. though private poore, rather then publique beggers; for such are forbidden by Law, and order taken in wel-govern'd Common-wealths that there be none such.
V. 6. * lend to many nations] * Chap. 28. 12. 44.
V. 8. open thy hand, &c.] Matth. 5. 42. Luke 6. 34. 2 Cor. 9. 5, 6.
V. 9. sinne unto thee] Bring the punishment of sinne upon thee, if he stand in need of thy charitie by giving or lending, and thou withhold the reliefe, because the yeare of release is at hand.
V. 10. not grieved] Charitable beneficence must be performed with cheerefull benevolence; for God not onelyonly loveth a cheerefull giver, but bountifully rewardeth him, Vers. 18. & 14. 29. & Prov. 11. 24. & 28. 27.
V. 11. the poore shall never cease] That is not contrdry to what is said, vers. 4. See the reconcilement there.
V. 12. in the seventh yeare] That is, at the beginning of the seventh yeare: but the release of debts was at the end of the seventh yeare, vers. 1.
V. 14. liberally] As acknowledging the blessing of God upon his labour, and conscionably recompencing his painfull and faithfull service, Vers. 18.
V. 17. unto thy maid-servant] That is, for giving unto her, as unto the man-servant, Vers. 13, 14, 15. not for boring thorow the eare, which was peculiar to a man-servant.
V. 18. double hired] For three yeares service was the stinted time of an hireling, Isa. 16. 14. But the Hebrew servant here spoken of served sixe yeares, which is twice so many.
V. 19. nor sheare] Being appropriated to God, they must not be used for the service or advantage of man: therefore the sheepe and wooll must be given unto the Priest. Some understand this of the firstlings of the females, whereof the wooll might be a part, being offered as Peace-offerings, which seemeth to be moant, vers. 20.
V. 20. before the Lord] Chap. 12. 7. 17.
V. 22. the unclean and clean] Which is not lawfull, if it were offered as a peace-offering: for of such onelyonly the cleane were partakers, Levit. 7. 20.
V. 23. not eat the blood] This prohibition is often repeated for better caution against all kinde of crueltie, and because, blood was sprinkled for atonement, and so as a thing consecrated to God to be kept out of common use. See Levit. 17. 11.
CHAP. XVI.
Vers. 1. MOnethMonth of * Abib] Containing part of March and part of April, when the Barley-harvest began to be ripe, and the first ripe eares were offered at the passeover the second day of unleavened bread, Levit. 2. 14. & Chap. 23. 10. * Exod. 13. 4. & 12. 2.
V. 2. and herd] The Passeover was to be a lambe or young kid; but this of the herd is thought by some an additionall sacrifice of a sheepe or bullock offered at that time, Numb. 28. vers. 19.
his name there] Where he is known and acknowledged by his worship, as a man is known by his name.
V. 3. bread of affliction] So the unleavened bread was called, because it was to minde them of their afflicted condition, from which they fled in such haste that they could not stay till the bread was leavened, Exod. 12. 39. Esa. 30. 20.
V. 4. untill the morning] See Annot. on Exod. 12. 10.
V. 6. at the season] This is not meant punctually for the precise houre of the killing of the Paschall Lambe: for they departed not till the next day, but with some latitude of time: or their departing, or coming forth is taken for their preparation for their departure. See Annot. on Exod. 12. 8.
V. 7. unto thy tents] Or, to thy dwelling place, whether tents, or houses: and indeed this hath especiall reference to the settled estate of the Hebrewes in the Land of Canaan.
V. 8. sixe dayes] The dayes of unleavened bread were seven, but the seventh is spoken of by it selfe, as having somewhat proper and peculiar to it, and is to be understood for unleavened bread to be like unto the rest, for the ordinance is expressely for seven, Exod. 12. 19. Levit. 23. 8.
V. 7. seven weeks] Beginning the next morning after the Passeover.
the fickle to the corn] For the reaping of the sheafe to be waved before the Lord.
V. 10. the feast of weeks] See Annot. on Levit. 23. 15.
V. 11. rejoyce] In cheerfull feasting: whereof, see Chap. 12. 18.
V. 13. of Tabernacles] See Annot. on Exod. 23. 16. & Lev. 23. 34. & Numb. 29. 12.
V. 20. altogether just] Not seeming just, but so indeed; not just in part, but entirely just, in measure and degree; not just to some, but just to all, and to all alike; and not sometimes just, but alwayes just, this is altogether just.
V. 21. grove] Chap. 12. 3. See Annot. on Exod. 34. 13. & on Gen. 31. 13.