Observations Upon the Old Testament, Commentary · Exodus
Exodus.
EXODUS Containes an History of 141 years, and some few dayes over; And not of about 146 years. This truth appears thus; From the death of Joseph, to the birth of Moses were 60. years, and either 56. or 65. or 72. or 80. And this assertion of 60. years is thus gathered. The Israelites being in Egypt, from the going down of Jacob thither, till Moses brought them out thence, 210 years; as hath been shewed on Gen. XV. 13. And Joseph being 40 years old when his father Jacob came down; as being 30 when Pharaoh advanced him, Gen. XLI. 46. And after that, seven years of Plenty passing, and the third year of Famine in being, when Jacob came down. And Joseph living 110 years, Gen. L. 22. So leaves 70 of his life to be spent in Egypt, after Jacobs coming down thither. And Moses being 80 years old when he brought the Israelites out of Egypt, Exod. VII. 7. So leaves just 60 years, between Iosephs death, and Moses his birth. For those three numbers, of Iosephs 70. and the said interval of 60, and Moses his 80. make up the said summe of 210 years. Now to those 60 years before the Birth of Moses, adde those 80 years of his age, Exod. VII. 7. And the time spent about getting leave of Pharaoh for their departure, Exod. Ch. III. to the XII. which was some small part of year, viz: within one monethmonth: And their coming forth on the first monethmonth, the 15 day, Num. XXXIII. 3. And their coming into the Wildernesse of Sinai; in the third monethmonth, Exod. XIX. 1. where the Law was given, Exod. XX. And their making and erecting of the Tabernacle, in the next year, first monethmonth, first day, Exod. XL. 1. And so the summe of 141 years, and few dayes doth arise; which containes the whole History of Exodus. Whereof 140 years, within few dayes, are comprised in the two first Chapters; And one year, and few dayes are spent in the rest of the Book.
His sister] His sister, chapter II verse 7 that is, Miriam; who was elder then Moses, or Aaron: And Aaron elder then Moses by three years, Exod. VII. 7. All three were the children of Iochebed the daughter of Levi, by Amram the grand-son of Levi, Exod. VI. 16, 18, 20. Num. XXVI. 59. 1 Chron. VI. 3.
Moses] Moses, chapter II verse 11 His age of 40 years when he went to visit his brethren, and flew the Egyptian: As also his skill in all the wisdome of the Egyptian, 3 are not mentioned in the Old Testament: But by Saint Stephen, Acts VII. 22, 23.
Iethro] Iethro who is likewise called Iether, chapter III verse 1 in the Original, Exod. IV. 18. and Hobab, Num. X. 29. Judg. IV. 11. were the names of Moses his father-in-law. And Kenite, Judg. I. 16. seemes to be his name Patronymical. And Revel, and Raguel seeme to be the names of Jethros father, Exod. II. 18. Num. X. 29.
Horeb] Horeb here, and Sinai, Exod. XVI. 1. and XIX. 11. are the same mountaine; or two tops of the same mountain: called Sinai, from the bush, Exod. III. 2. or bushes growing there, and thereabouts in that wildernesse, Ch. XIX. 1. As Mount Sion, and Mount Moriah were much alike.
A Token] This token or signe was to come to passe afterwards; verse 12 yet is given to confirme a Promiser made afore it. And the like is, Esay VII. 14. and XXXVII. 30. Ier. XLIII. 9, 10. and Ch. LI. 63, 64. Among other reasons, to assure there the truth of the Promise, by the quality of the Promise foretelling such events.
No lie] No lie in this Petition to Pharaoh: verse 18 nor in that assertion, Ch. V. 3.
Will not] The foreknowledge of God doth not impeach or trench upon the Free-will of Pharaoh. verse 19
Borrow] No wrong in that borrowing, and spoyling the Egyptians, Exod. verse 22 III. 22. and Ch. XI. 2. and Ch. XII. 35, 36.
The Magicians] The Magicians of Egypt, chapter VII verse 11 are none of them named in the Old Testament: yet Iannes and Iambres, the two prime of them are named in the New, 2 Tim. III. 8.
The Red-sea] And so in the Greek Erythraeum, chapter X verse 19 Acts VII. 36. Heb. XI. 29. signifying red: And so the Latines from them. So called, either from the seeming colour of the water from the abundance of reddish bulrushes therein; or the red sand and gravel in it; or red Corall growing in it; or red sandy mountains adjoyning to it; or why not from Edom, as the Edomean Sea, 1 King. IX. 26. He being called Red from his red colour; and the red Pottage, Gen. XXV. 25, 30. But the likeliest reason is from the Hebrew appellation, calling it the sea of weeds, or sedge, mare algsum, of flag, or rush, or tange, rack or reet, in Latin alga, Ionah II. 5. which reddish weeds in abundance grew in it, being but shoaly; and specially about the bancks of it.
Neither rose] The Plague of Darknesse in Egypt seemes to obstruct both Candle-light, and Fire-light. verse 23
This monethmonth] The beginning of the year being here changed from the time wherein formerly it was, chapter XII to the monethmonth wherein the Israelites came out of Egypt; a little before our Easter, and about our Vernal Equinoctial, as it then stood; This argues the Creation of the World to have been at that time when the Jewes yeare formerly began: And the time of Noahs Flood to begin the 17th day of the second month of that year. Which year is known to commence its Beginning from the Autumnal Equinoctial, as it then stood. From whence, even after this Change, the year of Jubile, and Sabbath-year, and year for some Civil accompts did continue still to have and enjoy their former Beginnings; as we see, Levit. XXV. 8, 9, 10. Exod. XXIII. 11, 16. and Ch. XXXIV. 22.
In the evening] The Paschal Lamb is appointed here to be kill'd and eaten, chapter XII verse 6 and so the Passeover to be kept, at Even; or, as it is in the Hebrew, at or between the two Evenings; And so, Num. IX. 3. Lev. XXIII. 5. And so kept by our Saviour at Even, Matth. XXVI. 20. Now the better to know the Even, and two Evenings, we must first know, That the Artificial Day is divided, from Sunne-rising to Sun-setting, into twelve hours, John XI. 9. Matth. XX. 6, 12. Acts II. 15. which hours are sometimes longer, sometimes shorter, as the course of the Sunne measures them. And again, that day seemes to have a division into three equal parts, allotting four hours to each part. Or into four equal parts, allotting three hours to each part. And so the first part is from their Sunne-rising, to our ninth hour: the second from our ninth to our twelfth, or Noone, and Mid-day: the third from that, to our three in the after-noone: the fourth from that, to Sun-setting. And sometimes there is taken into the first of these, the time from Day-light to Sun-rising: And into the last of these, the time from Sun-setting to night and darknesse, as Matth. XVI. 2. and XXVII. 57. John XX. 19. And both these comprise the whole dayes Fasting, 2 Sam. I. 12. Now the Even in Scripture is most properly, and usually expressed, and defined strictly by the Going down, or Setting of the Sunne. So in the purifying of the Unclean, Levit. XXII. 6, 7. Deut. XXIII. 11. And so in that case of the King of Ai, Iosh. VIII. 29. And of Ahab, 2 Chron. XVIII. 34. And of those five Kings in the Cave of Makkedah, Iosh. X. 26, 27. And so in Mark I. 32. And so it is expressely for the Passeover it self, Deut. XVI. 6. To which acceptation of the Even agrees that, Psal. CIV. 23. Mark XI. 11, 19. Luke XXIV. 29. Acts IV. 3. and XXVIII. 23. Yet in Scripture the Evening is sometimes taken in a larger extent and latitude, for the latter part of the Day, beginning from the declining of the Sunne at Mid-day; or from the abating of the heat and force of it, at our three in the after-noone: As may be clearly gathered from Mat. XIV. v. 15,—23. Mark VI. 35, 47. Luke IX. 12. And as it is usual taken with us in our ordinary salutations. Now at, or between the two Evenings, is mentioned, as for the yearly Passeover; so for the daily Evening Sacrifice, Exod. XXIX. 39. Num. XXVIII. 4. And for the daily burning of Incense on the Incense-Altar: And for the daily dressing and lighting of the Lamps in the Tabernacle, Exod. XXX. 8. So that in these four cases the meaning of the phrase seemes to be the same; Noting out one certain time; and these two Evenings in the larger, or stricter signification, to be contiguous, or continued rather; to be that Communis terminus, which couples the end of the day, and the beginning of the night together; or the two extremities of our Evening-tide, whereof the former belongs to the end and shutting up of the natural day preceding, and the later to the beginning of the night, which leades on, and ushers in the natural or civil day following, as the first part of it. So that this time is a participle of both, or a Borderer betwixt both, as the large Annotations fitly expresse it.
Two side-posts] In this first Passeover each Head of a family served as a Priest: verse 7 divers Rites were enjoyned, which were not observed or required afterwards; And the second monethmonth also allowed for it, Num. IX. 11 And other seven dayes, 2 Chron. XXX. 23.
No maner of work] On divers Feast-dayes of the Jewes it was not lawful for them to do any servile work; verse 16 On others, any kinde or maner of work, save that which every man must eate. But on the Sabbath day, (and so likely on the day of expiation) that it self was unlawful; or to kindle a fire on it, Exod. XII. 16. and Ch. XVI. 5, 23. and Ch. XXXV. 2, 3. And much more, to do any maner of work upon it, Neh. XIII. v. 15,—22. Jer. XVII. 21, 22. though for the making of the Tabernacle it self, Exod. XXXI. 11, 12, 13. or at any time, in earing-time, or harvest, Exod. XXXIV. 21. And that upon paine of death, Exod. XXXV. 2.
For ever] Many Legal Ceremonies, verse 17 or Ordinances are enjoyned the Jewes to be observed throughout their generations for ever; all which yet ended at the coming of Christ in the flesh. And some such enjoyned in like termes, yet ended in the year of Jubile, Exod. XXI. 6. Levit. XXV. 40. Of this see more in the Observations on Deut. XV. 17.
430 years] These do commence from the first Promise made to Abram, verse 40 in Ur of the Chaldees, whence 30 of the years are made up thus; viz: 5. in Haran; 11 in Canaan, when Ishmael was borne, Gen, XVI. 3. And 14 years of Ishmaels age, when Isaac was borne, Gen. XVII. 25. and Ch. XVIII. 10. and XVI. 16. and XXI. 5. And the 400. begin from Isaacs birth; as was shewed on Gen. XV. 13.
By day in a Pillar of a cloud] The Pillar of a cloud by day, and of fire by night, chapter XIII verse 21 may seem to be two Pillars, Exod. XIII. 21. 22. Nehem. IX. 12, 19. Num. XIV. 14. Or rather seeme to be one Pillar, Exod. XIV. 19, 20, 24. Spread as a cloud by day, to cover them from heat; and gathered up into a Pillar of fire by night, to guide them. Out of which God spake unto them, Psal. XCIX. 7. Num. XII. 5, 10. Deut. XXXI. 15. See the Annotations on Esay IV. 5.
Migdol] A strong City or Fort, chapter XIV verse 2 situate in the territory of Bethshemesh in Egypt, not farre from the Red-sea, Num. XXXIII. 7, 8. Jer XLIV. 1.
Before the Testimony] This command for Aaron to lay up the Pot of Manna before the Lord, chapter XVI verse 34 was performed by him, in laying it not before the Testimony, not at this time of the Command here; but after the Ark, and two Tables of the Covenant were made, Exod. XXXIII. 29. and Ch. XXXVII, 1, &c.
An Omer] The Omer and Ephah here seeme quite altered in that Visionary New State of Israel, chapter XVI verse 36 Ezek. XLV. 11. Unlesse Gnomer and Chomer be two several measures; which I rather incline unto; and conceive the truth to be this; That foreign Exod. XVI. 36. is the tenth part of an Ephah, as is there set down; whereunto accords that ver. 16. it being the measure of the eating of Manna sufficient for a man by the day. But foreign Ezek. XLV. containes ten Ephahs or Baths, both being of the same measure, v. 11. and 14. And hereunto accords that, Esay V. 10. where one foreign (for so the word is there written, as it is in Ezek. XLV.) yeelds but one Ephah. i. e. the tenth part of the seed, it being a judgement of famine there denounced. See also, Levit. XXVII. 16. And this may serve for the better explication of my Annotations upon that place of Ezekiel, contained in the second Edition of the great Annotations printed 1651.
Rock] Rocks twice smitten: chapter XVII verse 6 this Rock, Exod. XVII. 6. And that water going likely into the Red Sea; and so failing them in the 32. Station at Ezion-gaber; Upon their new murmuring, another Rock was smitten 39 years after, Num. 20. 1,—13. And both called the waters of Meribah.
Went up] Moses nine or ten times goes up to the Lord on Mount Sinai. chapter XIX verse 3 See Exod. XIX. 3, 7, 8, 10, 14, 20, 21, 25. and Ch. XX. 21. and Ch. XXIV. 3, 12, 13, 15, 18. and Ch. XXXII. 7, 15, 30. and Ch. XXXIII. 6, 7, 21. and Ch. XXXIV. 2, 29, 34.
Moses spake] This speech, verse 19 not mentioned what it was. But seems to be that recorded, Heb. XII. 21.
Priests] So, verse 22 v. 24. These Priests probably seeme to be the fathers of the families. The young men, Exod. XXIV. 5. might possibly be of those Primogeniti or First-borne, which God first challenged to himself within one quarter of a year before, Exod. XIII. 2. and Ch. XXII. 29. And for them the Levites were taken in afterwards, Num. III. 12, 13, 40, 41, 45. and Ch. VIII. 18. Or else such as Moses pleased to imploy in slaying and dressing at least of these Sacrifices: Called young men likely, as those servants of the King of Assyria are called in the Original young men, 2 King. XIX. 6.
An Altar] These Altars mentioned in this verse, chapter XX verse 24 and, v. 25, 26. were allowed and appointed for the time: much differing from those by appointment made when the Tabernacle, and Temple, were erected, and builded, Exod. XXVII. 1, &c. 2 Chron. IV. 1. Of Altars see more on Levit. XVII. 3.
In the seventh] In the Seventh and Sabbatical year, chapter XXI verse 2 beginning in September, as the Iubile did, The Book of the Law was to be read publikely and solemnly in the beginning of that year; The Land was to rest from Culture; Lendings vouchsafed to poor Hebrews, and then due, were to be released, and intermitted, if not clean remitted, Luke VI. 35. Hebrew servants, both men and women, though bought, if not redeemed before, were to go out free, if themselves would, and that liberally furnished, Exod. XXI. 2,—7. and XXIII. 11, 16. Levit. XXV. 4, 5, 6, 7, 20, 21, 22. Deut. XV. 1,—18. Jer. XXXIV. 14.
Who hath betrothed her to himself] The Hebrew Text hath foreign signifying Not, chapter XXI verse 8 and so runs thus, Who hath not betroathed her. But the Hebrew Criticks commonly called Masorets, put for it in the magin foreign, signifying to him; so observing a various reading. And indeed they observe divers readings in sundry places of Scripture; but about no one word so many, as about this; as may be seene, Levit. XI. 21. and Ch. XXV. 30. 1 Sam. II. 3. 2 Kings VIII. 10. 1 Chron. XI. 20. Ezra IV. 2. Job XIII. 15. Psal. C. 3. Esay IX. 3. and XLIX. 5. and LXIII. 9. And in many of these, both senses come to one; reading the Negative by way of interrogation. See the Annotations on Job 13. 15.
From mine Altar] The Tabernacle, verse 14 and Temple, and Altars there, may seeme to pretend to some such Priviledge, as the Cities of Refuge had, Exod. XXI. 14. 1 King. 1. 50, 51. and Ch. 11. 28.
An Oath] An oath is pnt to the Party suspected, to accuse, verse 11 or clear himself; So, v. 11. Somewhat like an Answer to a Bill in Chancery; or to the oath called ex officio; chapter XXII though haply in all things not correspondent.
Males] Women among the Jewes, as not Circumcised; verse 17 so haply may seeme neither to be tied to eate the Passeover, chapter XXIII Exod. XXIII. 17. and Ch. XXXIV. 23, 24. Deut. XVI. 16. Yet is this no ground to debar women from the Sacrament of the Lords Supper more then from the Sacrament of Baptisme: the partition-wall being now broken down by Christ, and male and female in him are all one, Gal. III. 8.
Thy bounds] The bounds of the Land of Canaan were
Larger, Ge…. XV. 18. Exod. XXIII. 31. Deut. I. 7. and Ch. 11. 24. Josh. I. 4.
Narrower, verse 31 Num. XXXIV. 3. &c. Num. XIII. 21. 1 King. VIII. 65. 2 Chron. VII. 8. Judg. XX. 1.
The larger bounds were never possessed and inhabited by the Israelites; at most made Tributary onelyonly in the dayes of David, and Solomon. And the default might be no wise in God; but in the Israelites sinning and breaking with God, Deut. XIX. 8, 9. Yea the narrower bounds, by reason of their sinnes, were scarce at any time fully possessed.
In the Arke] In the Arke were the two Tables of the Law and Covenant, chapter XXV verse 16 See also Exod. XL. 20. And nothing else, 1 Kings VIII. 9. 2. Chron. V. 10. which Tables are called the Testimony, Exod. XXV. 16, 21. and Ch. XXX. 6. and Ch. XL. 20. And the Arke is called The Arke of the Testimony, Exod. XXV. 22. and Ch. XXVI. 33. and Ch. XXX, 6, 26. And the MercieMercy-seate is said to be upon the Testimony, Levit. XVI. 13. By the Arke was laid and kept the Pot of Manna, before the Testimony, Exod. XVI. 34. And Aarons Rod, before the Testimony, Num. XVII. 10. And that Censer, Levit. XVI. 12. Heb. IX. 4. And the Book of the Law, in the side of the Arke, or on the outside of it, Deut. XXXI. 26. Not onelyonly those Pieces of it, Exod. XVII. 14. and Ch. XXIV. 4. and Ch. XXXIV. 27. and Deut. XXXI. 9, 22. But the whole Law and writings, and inspired Books of Moses. And this seemes to some to be the Book found in Josiah's time; and to have been lost in the dayes of wicked Manasseh, and Amon: Though the matters of that Book, when it was read to Josiah, and to all the people, seemed so strange unto them, as if no Copie of it at all, chapter XXV or wondrous rare, had been extant among them.
Lamps to burn alwayes] The Lamps may seeme to burn night and day; chapter XXVII verse 20 because we read of no windows for light in the Tabernacle. See also Exod. III. 7, 8. Levit. XXIV. 2, 3. At least some of them in the day-time.
Tabernacle] Moses his Tent is called the Tabernacle. chapter XXXIII verse 7, 8. And the Tabernacle is called by the name of the Temple, 1 Sam. III. 3. And the Temple diverse times by the name of the Tabernacle, and Sanctuary, and Tents of the Lord, 2 Chron. XXXI. 2.
Fourty dayes and fourty nights] Moses twice fasted 40 dayes, chapter XXXIV verse 28 and 40 nights, Exod. XXXIV. 28. Deut. IX. 18. and Ch. X. 10. And some conceive thrice out of Deut. IX. 25. Yet this is not likely. Elias once; and our Saviour once. Of Fasting, see the Annotations on Joel I. 14.
Skin of his face shone] By reflexive raies and beames of the Divine splendor: verse 29 And had not hornes, as the Trent Bible renders the word; And Painters commonly picture him. The Hebrew word foreign a substantive signifies an Horne; but foreign the Verbe signifies to shine. And so Saint Paul interprets it, 2 Cor. III. 7.
Looking-glasses] Looking-glasses made not of Glasses, chapter XXXVIII verse 8 whereof we have no record in Scripture; but rather of steele, or of brasse which was much refined, as Ezra VIII. 27. and of much use; and specially for armour inwarre, as Virgil often mentions.
Talents. verse 24 Shekels] Shekel comes from Shakal, to weigh; And thence may our English word scale come. A Shekel is 20. Gerahs, Exod. XXX. 13. Ezek. XLV. 12. or two Bekahs, Exod. XXXVIII. 26. The Shekel is half an ounce in silver, or 2 s. 6d. And so the Gerah, 1 d. ob. and the Bekah 1 s. 3 d. The Talent is 3000 Shekels; which appears thus in the Text; The 603550 men are taxed at a Bekah a piece. This makes 301775 Shekels. Now reckoning 3000 Shekels to a Talent; The 301775 Shekels make up 100 Talents, and 1775 Shekels; according to the summe there specified, v. 25, 27, 28. And counting the Shekel at 2 s. 6d, the Talent so comes to 375 l. starling. The Shekel of gold was of the same weight with that of silver; but of farre greater value; of ten to one with the Jewes, as may be gathered out of 1 Chron. XXII. 14. And so their Shekel of gold comes to 1 l. 5 s. their Talent of Gold comes to 3750. l. But gold now in Christendome is at an higher rate. By silverings, as, 2 Sam. XVIII. 11, 12. Matth. XXVI. 15. usually Shekels are understood. See the Annotations on Ezek. IV. 10. And on Esther III. 9.
Vaile of the Covering] That hanged before, chapter XXXIX verse 34 and covered the Mercy-seate.
Lamps to be set in order] Dressing them every morning, verse 37 and lighting them at even, Ch. XXX. 7, 8. if not at morning too: there being no windows in the Tabernacle; and so burning alwayes, Ch. XXXVII. 20. continually, Levit. XXIV. 2.
Blessed them] The offerers, verse 43 and the work-men.
Of the Gongregation] Where Priests, chapter XL verse 2 Levites, and People assembled, according to the several degrees of their approaches.
Everlasting] That their posterity should not need to be anointed again. verse 15 Of Everlasting see the Observations on Deut. XV. 17.
A Cloud] Even that Cloud, verse 34 Exod. XIII. 21, 22. miraculously removed hither.
Not able] The maner therefore of the clouds abode, verse 35 and the Lords glory appearing at this time, was extraordinary.