Observations Upon the Old Testament, Commentary · Deuteronomy
Deuteronomie.
DEUTERONOMIE was written in the yeare of the world, not 2493. But in the year 2553. or rather 2548. thirty eight years, and odde moneths, from the time of the beginning of the Book of Numbers. And about 1450 years before Christ's time.
It containes to the fifteenth Verse of the last Chapter, an History of one monethmonth, and seven dayes, viz: From monethmonth eleven, day one, to monethmonth twelve, day seven; at which time Moses died; as hath been formerly gathered upon Aarons death. See and compare together Deut. I. 3. and XXXIV. 8. and Josh. IV. 19. In which short time the Book was written by Moses; And, besides sundry Repetitions, and Explications, other new Lawes given; A second Edition, as it were, of the Covenant made with the new Generation; with some other Consequences, and last Acts of Moses.
The last Chapter of Deuteronomie was written after Moses his death. As likewise the Conclusion of the Book of Jeremie, was written after his Death, Jer. LI. 64. and LII. 31, 34. And that XXXIV. Chapter contains one monethmonth more, of the Israelites mourning for the death of Moses.
This Book of Deuteronomie, and that of the Psalmes, are of chief note in the Old Testament, for the Life of Religion, the spiritual power of Worship and Obedience in the inner man.
Yet this Book of Deuteronomie seemes not to be that which was to be written very plainly upon great stones plaistered, in Mount Ebal; For that was the Decalogue only, or those Blessings and Curses, only, Deut. XXVII. 2,—26. Josh. VIII. 30, 35. Nor seemes it to be this book of Deuteronomie only that was to be Copied out by the King, and He to read therein all the dayes of his life, Deut. XVII. v. 18, 19, 20. Not yet seemes it to be this book only, that was to be solemnly read by the Priests, every seventh or Sabbatical year in the Feast of Tabernacles, in the audience of all the people, Chapt. XXXI. 9,—13. As in the three foresaid particulars some would have it. Nor yet is it this Book only; or that Song only, Deut. XXXII. that was to be put and placed by the Priests, in, at, or by the side of the Arke of the Covenant, Deut. XXXI. 25, 26. But the whole book of the Law, the five Books of Moses were to be Copied out by the King, read in every Sabbath-year, and laid up and preserved safe by the Arke of the Testimony.
The Judicial Lawes, most of all mentioned in this Book, and peculiarly belonging to the Countrey and People of the Jewes, are grounded upon an equity of Right Reason for that Countrey and People. And so far are useful to all others.
The ten first Chapters are most-what of precedent Passages, Repetitions of what things were formerly done; with Exhortations to Obedience intermixed. Moses yet herein not binding himself to an exact order in observation of the times, and places.
These] Is an Inscription of the whole book, chapter I verse 1 and an accurate description of the Place, where Moses delivered, and did, what in this book is contained.
Eleven] The eleven dayes journey end either at Kadesh-barneah; verse 2 or, compassing about by the way of Mount Seir, and Kadesh-barneah, it ends at, and in the Plaines of Moab. Both which ser… to shew how soone they might have come from Horeb or Sinai to Canaan; had they not provoked God by their sinne, Num. XIV. instead of that eleven dayes journey, to keep them wandring in the wildernesse 38. years after.
Horeb] Horeb and Mount Sinai are taken for the same, Exod. III 1. See on that Text, Deut. I. 2, 6, 19. and IV. 10, 15. and V. 2. and IX. 8. 1 King. XIX. 8 Mal. IV. 4. They being close neighbours, or rather two tops of the same Mount. The Israelites abode almost a year there, Deut. I. 6. Exod. XIX. 1 Num. X. 11.
Og that dwelt at Ashteroth, verse 4 was slaine in Edrei, another of his royal Cities, Ch. III. 1. Num. XXI. 33. Josh. XIII. 12, 31. and XII. 4.
Angry] Gods anger at Moses here mentioned, verse 37 was not in the second year, when and where the Spies were sent from Kadesh-barnea, Num. XIII. and XIV. But in the fourtieth year at that other Kadesh, when and where Miriam died, Num. XX. 1, 2, 12.
Many dayes] The Israelites abode in Kadesh many dayes. verse 46 And they compassed Mount Seir many dayes: The space in which they came from Kadesh-barnea, till they came over the brook Zered, or pitch'd in the Valley of Zared, in Moab, being their thirty ninth Station, was thirty eight years; which was in the beginning of the fourtieth year of their coming out of Egypt, Deut. II. 1, 2, 3, 7, 14. some take thirty seven years and a half of this time to be spent at Kadesh-barnea: And sure the most of it was spent there; and the lesser and later part of it in compassing Mount Seir: And the other half year spent in coming from Mount Seir to Zered. See Deut. II. 7.
Distresse not] And so, chapter II verse 9 v. 19. The Israelites forbidden to distresse the Moabites, and Ammonites; or to possesse their Lands. Yet what Sihon had lately conquered from them, and possessed; which was no small part of their Countreys, all that, the Israelites conquering Sihon, by right of that Conquest, did fairly possesse, Josh. XIII. 15,—25. Judg. XI. 12,—27.
Gyants] There are mentioned Anakims, verse 11 Emims, Zanzummims, Rephaims, as several races of Gaints, Deut. II. 11, 20. and Ch. III. 11, 13. Num. XIII. 33. See further, Gen. VI. 4, 1 Sam. XVII. 4. and 2 Sam. XXI. 16,—22.
Mount Sion, chapter IV verse 48 which is Hermon] Called by the Sidonians Syrion, by the Amorites Shenir, in the Valley of Lebanon, Deut. III. 9. and IV. 48. Josh. XI. 17. and XIII. 5. and XII. 5. 1 Chron. V. 23. And Mount Sion, that strong hold, in the City of David, being the South-part of Jerusalem, and not seated on the North-side of it, 2 Sam. V. 7, 9. 1 King. VIII. 1. Psal. II. 6. and IX. 11. and XLVIII. 2. (upon which Text see the Annotations) are two differing Mountains, and farre asunder. They differ also in their Original Characters and letters; the former being written foreign and the later foreign; though the New Testament write the later also Sion, Rom. IX. 33 … XI. 26. As likewise the Hebrew foreign is written Sidon; And foreign is written Tyre, Matth. XI. 21, 22.
Called] We may not conceive a miracle in Moses voice, chapter V verse 1 as some do on this place.
My Commandments] So it is in the Masorets marginal reading. verse 10 But in the Text it is his Commandments: And may import the words of Moses, expounding the sense and meaning of Gods words that went next before,
Seventh day] Some words are added by Moses to those uttered by God on Mount Sinai, verse 14, 15. Exod. XX. 10, 11. as an Explication of them. And also a Reason is given of the fourth Commandment differing altogether from that Reason in Exod. XX. 11. which Reason here yet evinceth not, that therefore God brought the Israelites out of Egypt on the Sabbath-day. But the putting of Wife before House, ver. 21. contrary to that order of House before Wife, in Exod. XX. 17. confounds the late Papists silly shift in dividing the last Commandment into two, to make up ten, Deut. IV. 13. to colour thereby their taking away the second Commandment; or shufling of it into the first: so that by them is not known which is the ninth, and which the tenth Commandment.
Seven Nations] So many are here reckoned. chapter VII verse 1 And so, Iosh. III. 10. Six in Exod. XXXIII. 2. Deut. XX. 17. Iudg. III. 5. In many places fewer. In Gen. XV. 19, 20, 21. ten Nations are reckoned. And among them the Philistines are never mentioned. Yet all the inhabitants of the whole Land go many times under the names of Canaanites, and Amorites; as Gen. XXIV. 3. and Ch. XV. 16.
Utterly destroy them] Such is Gods Command; verse 2 And such his Promise of assistance, v. 16. See Exod. XXXIV. 11, 12. Deut. IX. 3. and XX. 16, 17. Yet this was not a thing to be done in one year, or in Ioshuah's Life-time, Iosh. XXIII. 4, 5, 13. Iudg. l. 9, 21, 27, 29, 30, 31, 33, 34. But by little and little, Exod. XXIII. 29, 30. Deut. VII. 22. Yet God justly threatens and blames them for their neglect in Conquering and Expelling them, Num. XXXIII. 55, 56. Josh. XXIII. 13. Judg. II. 3, 21, 22, 23. And he never gave them the possession of their full Bounds, as of Tyre, Sidon, and of all the Land of the Philistines, because they kept not for their part the Condition of their Covenant with him, Judg. II. 20, 21.
Neither shalt thou] Marriage forbid with the Canaanites strictly. verse 3 Yea also forbid with the Ammonites, Moabites, and Egyptians, Ezra IX. 1, 2. Neh. XIII. 23. A reason is given, Deut. VII. 4. Neh. XIII. 26. Exod. XXXIV. 16. The mischief of that marriage between Jehoram the sonne of Iehoshaphat King of Iudah, and Athaliah the daughter of Ahab King of Israel, is recorded, 2 King. VIII. 18. Yet in case they became Proselytes, Converts to the true Religion; the marriage with all of them seemes lawful: as in that case, Deut. XXI. 10, 13. And in the case of Rahab, and Ruth; of the wife of Ioseph in Egypt: of the wife of Moses; of Maacah the daughter of the King of Geshur with David; and of Pharaohs daughter with Solomon. And this made Iacobs sonnes propound or pretend the condition of Circumcision to Shechem, and the Shechemites, Gen, XXXIV. 14, 15, 16. In the New Testament, we read the prohibition, 2 Cor. VI. 14. And the precept, 1 Cor. VII. 12—16. which rules touching Infidels seeme to serve for the case of grosse Hereticks, and Apostates. Against unlawful marriages see more, Iudg. III. 6, 7. and XIV. 2, 3. 1 King. XI. 2. Ezra IX. and X. Chapters, Neh. X. 30. and XIII. 3, 30.
Rayment] The rayment waxing not old on the Israelites in the Wildernesse, chapter VIII verse 4 was a Miracle sufficient, though it grew not greater still with the growing children, Deut. XXIX. 5. Neh. IX. 21.
This day] Is taken somtimes properly: somtimes as for a short time; here. Somtimes for a longer time indefinitely, as Hester I. 18. And the Phrase since yesterday, and the third day, is sometimes taken properly, or for a short time, Gen. XXXI. 2, 5. Exod. IV. 10. and XXI. 36. 2 Sam. III. 17. Iob. VIII. 9. Sometimes for a long time, 1 Sam. XIV. 21. and XIX. 7. 2 King. XIII. 5. 1 Chron XI. 2. (As likewise to morrow is taken, sometimes for a short time, as 1 Sam. XXVIII. 19. Sometimes for a long time, as Josh. IV. 6, 21.) Sometimes for never. Iosh. III. 4. 1 Sam. IV. 7. Of to day, and to morrow, see Iosh. XXII. 18. and IV. 6, 21. Esay XXII. 13. Matth. 6. 30. 1 Cor. XV. 32.
Arke] Besides that famous Arke for the Tables of the Covenant, chapter X verse 1,—4. Exod. XXXVII. 1, &c. There seemes here one formerly made, for present use, wherein the Tables by Gods commandment were first put. And possibly this Arke with the Tables might be put into that famous Arke built afterwards, Exod. XXXVII. Deut. X 5.
Journey] These verses seeme to be as a Parenthesis inserted by Moses: verse 6,—9. And their journeys summarily mentioned, v. 6, 7. are more distinctly and orderly recorded, Num. XXXIII. 30,—39. without any coming or returning, again and again, to one and the same place.
Altars] Idolaters had their Priests, chapter XII verse 3 Temples, Altars, Tables, Lavers, Pillars, Groves, Oaks, Statues, Images of wood, stone, and mettals, carved, graven, molten; in Cities, and Townes, in streets, in fields, and gardens, in houses, and on their tops, in Gods house, in chambers, behinde the doores, by rivers, and rocks, and caves, upon high mountains, and hills, and valleys, and under green trees: with their several sorts of Scrifices, and burnings, even slaying their children to them, Jer. VII. 31. XIX. 5. Ezek. XVI. 20, 21. and XX. 26, 31. Feasts, Incense, costly cloathes, and other services of them. See Deut. VII. 5. and XII. 31. and sundry other places, as Esay I. 29. and LVII. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. and LXV. 3, 4, 11. and LXVI. 3. Amos II. 8. 1 Cor. VIII. 10. and X. 21. Jer. X. 9. XVII. 2. And see their eager rage after idolatry, Ezek. XVI. 15, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 31.
A poor man] Private poor rather then publick beggars were, chapter XV verse 7,—11. and still will be among Gods people, Matth. XXVI. 11.
For ever] Ever, hath reference, verse 17 sometimes to a long time, indefinitely, Exod. XXI. 6. 1 Sam. I. 22. and XXV II. 12. 2 King. V. 27. 2 Chron. XIII. 5. Psal. XXXVII. 18, 27. and LXXXIX. 1 Esay XIII. 20. and XIV. 20. and XXV. 8. and XXXIII. 20. and XXXIV. 10. Jer. VII. and XVII. 4, 25. and XXV. 5. and XXXI. 40. and XXXV. 19. and L. 39. and LI. 26, 62. Lam. V. 20. Sometimes to the terme of a mans life. 1 Kings I. 31. Dan. III. 9. Josh. 8. 28. Gen. XLIII. 9. 1 Sam. I. 22. 1 Chron. XXVIII. 4. Psal. XXXVII. 27, 29. and CXIX. 44, 98. Esay XXXII. 17. Sometimes to the year of Jubile, As in this Text, and Exod. XXI. 6. compared with Levit. XXV. 40. Sometimes to so long as the conditions annexed to a thing are observed, 2 Chron. XX. 7. 1 Sam. II. 30. Sometimes to the continuance of a State of politie, Num. X. 8. See the Annotations on 1 Kings VIII. 13. Sometimes to the Time and Coming of the Messiah, 1 Chron. XV. 2. and XVII. 12, 14, 22, 23, 27. and in many places of the Prophets. Sometimes to eternity, Exod. III. 15. and XV. 18. Deut. XXXII. 40. Luke I. 33. And so never is taken sometimes for a long time: sometimes for almost all times of a mans life, Luke XV. 29. Sometimes for a mans life, 2 Sam. XII. 10. Sometimes for eternity.
The flock and the herd] Oxen, chapter XVI verse 2 Kids, Sheep, and Bulloks were used in the Feast of the Passeover, that is, in the Feast of Unleavened bread, the bread of affliction, for seven dayes, Exod. XIII. 6, 7. Num. XXVIII. 16,—24. 2 Chron. XXXV. 7, 8. 9. and Ch. XXX. 24. All which Festival time is called the Passeover, and so Joh. XVIII. 28. A Lamb, or a Kid, might be used for the Passeover properly so called, on the fourteenth day, at the going down of the Sunne, Exod. XII. 5. Deut. XVI. 6.
A matter too hard] As Judges and Officers were to be appointed in all Cities in Canaan, chapter XVII verse 8,—13. Deut. XVI. 18, 19, 20. So here the highest Court of Judicature over the whole Land, in difficult Causes, and for matters of Appeal, was appointed to be in that one place which the Lord should choose; which in after-times appeared to be the City Jerusalem. And here it is not sure and evident whether this Supreme Court were to be one, mixt of the Priests, and the Civil Judge joyntly; Or (though this not so likely) two distinct Courts, Ecclesiastical, and Civil; both Supreme in their kinde. Judgement of death was awarded upon presumptuous disobedience to their Sentence. And more of this Supreme Court Moses doth not deliver. Yet upon this, the Jewes in after-ages grounded their great Sanhedrin in Jerusalem; and not upon the LXX. Num. XI. For those were onelyonly added to assist Moses in his troublesome government of that unruly Campe of the Jewes in the Wildernesse; as likewise those Rulers and Judges, Exod. XVIII.
The Priests due] Of the very great maintenance of the Priests, verse 3 see on Num. chapter XVIII XVIII. 24.
Three Cities more] Three other Cities of Refuge, chapter XIX verse 9 over and above the six, here allowed, and conditionally enjoyned. Yet we never read more of them, that they were separated and set out. And that because the Jewes by their sins and breach of Covenant with God on their part, never got possession of the utmost Bounds of the Lands by God conditionally promised to them.
To Battel] The Law of warre, chapter XX verse 1 Deut. XX. 1, 10,—18. and Ch. VII. 2, 3, 16, 23, 24. and Exod. XXXIV. 11,—16. injoyned by God to the Israelites, was various, according to the severall Cities and Nations against whom, whether neere, or very farre off, Deut. XX. 15, 16, 17. and according to the several Causes and Occasions, whereupon they were to wage it: And is best expounded by their Practices in Scripture recorded.
Against the Amalakites, see the injunction, Exod. XVII. 14, 16. Deut. XXV. 17, 18, 19. Against the Midianites, see that, Num. XXXI. Where they slew all the males they could, even to the malechildren; and every woman that had known man, and took the spoil, and all their cattel, flocks, and goods, as a prey to themselves.
Against the Amorites, Sihon, and Og, (included in the seven Nations, or in the same condition with them) See Num. XXI. and Deut. II. 34, 35. and Ch. III. 6, 7. where they slew the men, women and children. But all the Cattel, and spoile, they took for a prey to themselves.
Against Jericho, see Josh. VI. 17,—26. where the City, the first that withstood them in the Land of Canaan, was singularly accursed, and all therein, ver. 17, 18, 24, 26. 1 King. XVI. 34. And accordingly they slew man and woman, young and old, and Oxe, and Sheep, and Asse: OnelyOnly the silver and the gold, and the vessels of brasse and iron, they put into the Treasury of the House of the Lord, as God commanded; keeping nothing to themselves: And as Achan, with his, and all he had, perished; They being first stoned, and then burnt for the transgression: So Rahab, her parents, brethren, and all that she had, were saved, upon the special cause and occasion of her Faith in hiding the Spies.
Against Ai, See Josh. VIII. 2, 26, 27. where they slew all, as at Jericho: onelyonly the spoile, and cattel thereof, they took as a prey to themselves.
Against the five Kings of the Amorites: And against seven; See Josh. X. 10, 28, 30, 32, 33, 35, 37, 39, 40. where they slew all the souls that breathed; as they did at Jericho: But for the spoile, and cattel, they did as at Ai and took them as a prey to themselves.
Against all those Kings at the waters of Merom, and presently after, they did the like, Josh. XI. 11, 12, 13, 14.
The Gibeonites, upon a crafty contrivance, got to be spared, and obtained a league to live. And though al the congregation murmured against the Princes for it, yet because of the oath, Joshuah and the Princes onelyonly adjudged them to bondage, to be hewers of wood, and drawers of water for the House of God for ever, Josh. IX. 13,—27. And Saul afterwards in a wrong zeale, slaying many of them, was punished for it, in his sonnes, 2 Sam. XXI. 1,—9.
Many other of the seven Nations were not conquered, Or so conquered, as brought onelyonly under Tribute, See Deut. VII. 22. Josh. XIII. 1,—6. and XIII. 3. and XV. 63. and XVI. 10. and XVII. 12, 13. Judg. I. 1, 19, 21, 27,—36. For which yet the Israelites were reproved, Judg. II. 1, 2, 3. And doomed so, as we read, Judg. II. 21, 22, 23. according to that Prediction, Num. XXXIII. 55. and Threatening, Josh. XXIII. 13. And of the Race of the seven Nations, see that in the dayes of Solomon, 1 King. IX. 20, 21.
And if that Law of warre, Deut. XX. 10,—15. should be extended to the seven Nations also; yet they deprived themselves of the benefit of it, in not yeelding to conditions of peace; or staying to be besieged; But ingaging first, and beginning the warre upon the Israelites; as appears mainly in Josh. Ch. X. and XI.
The Captive…, chapter XXI verse 10,—14. a beautiful woman] Seemes a permission and Indulgence, in case of warre; rather then an Allowance; As appears by the displeasing Rites before the marriage; and the slight dismission. It is not much unlike that Bill of Divorce, Deut. XXIV. 1. Matth. XIX. 8. And the case of Usury; as some accompt that, Deut. XXIII. 20.
Two wives] Moses supposing the practice of having two wives together, verse 15 though in it selfe unlawful; or rather of having two one after another; taketh order for the right and double portion of the mans first-borne, Deut. XXI. 15, 16, 17.
Hanged is accursed] That Curse seemes not to be for the kinde of punishment; verse 23 but for the Crime sake, acted by such Malefactors here mentioned. And so Num. XXV. 4. John XVI. 26. 2 Sam. XXI. 6. It is true of Christ, Gal. III. 13. Iosh. XIX. 31. by reason of all our horrible sins laid upon him, I meane the debt of our sins; He becoming our Surety; and so sinne for us, 2 Cor. V. 21. that is, a Sacrifice for sin; as Sacrifices for sin in the Levitical Law are termed sometimes by the name of sin. The imputation of Guilt would seeme to make him a sinner.
Not weare] That difference of Apparel, chapter XXII verse 5 to distinguish the Sexes, must be observed, and never broken; except in case of necessity, and for some present pinch, some weighty and urgent occasion, as to evade and avoid a sudden mischief; and the like.
If a man] Is understood of an unmarried man, verse 28 and a Virgin not betrothed: as likewise that is, Exod. XXII. 16, 17. The difference is in inticing her there; and in laying hold on her here, though not violently to ravish her. And therefore the Offender is ordered and punished somewhat lesse there; and more here.
An Ammonite] The Israelite was to respect more, chapter XXIII verse 3,—9. and hate lesse, the Edomite, and the Egyptian; then either the Moabite, or the Ammonite: The two former in their third generation, after they became Proselytes, might be, as it were, endenized and made free among the Israelites; as well as if they were native … Israelites: As those that were honoured to be made Citizens of Rome, by birth, or purchase Acts XVI. 37, 38. and XXII. 25,—28. were thereby invested with the Priviledges of Romanes. The Moabite, and Ammonite were not to be so priviledged in their tenth generation: which yet must be understood, either of the men only, or else with exception of some such singular Cases, as was that of Ruth, Ch. IV. 10.
Upon Mount] The Tribe of Levi was to stand on Mount Gerizim, chapter XXVII verse 12,—26 in the Tribe of Ephraim by Sichem, with five other Tribes, whereof Joseph is one: And the six other Tribes to stand on Mount Ebal. And so the Priests called Levites, Deut. XXVII. 14. may seeme to stand with the Ark in the narrow valley between both: And there turning to Mount Ebal, to pronounce the Curses, whereunto all the people and Tribes on Mount Ebal were to say Amen. The other part concerning the Blessings is not expressed; but in all points, and circumstances easily to be gathered and understood, Deut. XI. 26,—30. and XXVII. 12,—26 This was done in the first year of their coming over Jordan Josh. VIII. 32,—35. when, and where were read likewise all the words of the Law of Moses, before all the Congregation of Israel.
With ships] Ships, besides the Ark of Noah, chapter XXVIII verse 68 are first mentione in Jacobs blessing of Zebulun, Gen. XLIX. 13. and in Moses his threatning the Israelites in this place.
Not given] Gods hand in giving and working of Grace. chapter XXIX verse 4 See Ch. XXX. 6. Jer. XXIV. 7. and XXXI. 33. and XXXII. 39. Ezek. XI. 19, 20. and Ch. XXXVI. 26, 27. Heb. VIII. 10, 11. John VI. 44, 45, 65 Phil. I. 29. and II. 13. Ephes. II. 8. 2. Tim. II. 25. And he gives grace to the remnant which is according to the election of Grace, Matth. XI. 25. and XIII. 11. Mark IV. 11, 12, John XII. 39. Rom. XI. 7. Ephes. I. 5. 2 Chron. XXX. 12.
Mount] This Mount Hor, chapter XXXII verse 50 where Aaron died, Num. XX. 25, 26. was South of Judea. And Mount Hor, on the North-bounds of Judea, Num. XXXIV. 7. are far differing and distant mountains.
King in Jeshurum] Moses King in Ieshurum, chapter XXXIII verse 5,—25. in Blessing the twelve Tribes, doth omit Simeon, if we accompt him not included in Iudah, as his Lot in the division of Canaan fell within the Lot and Tribe of Iudah; and their expeditions against their enemies in conquering their own shares were joynt, and undertaken together, Iosh. XVIII. and XIX. Iudg. I 3.
Dwell between his shoulders] That is, verse 12 In Ierusalem. For though the Southerne, and Superior part of Ierusalem, where Mount Sion was, and which was called the City of David, did belong to the Tribe of Iudah; yet the Northerne, and inferior part of it, where Mount Moriah was, whereon the Temple was built, belonged to the Tribe of Benjamin. The huge deep valley of Mello between the two Mountains, being filled up and levelled by Solomon; so that thence afterward, Sion, and Moriah, might be called two tops of one Mountain, Sion the higher top, and Moriah the lower.
Died] The time of Moses his death was in the fourtieth year, chapter XXXIV verse 5 twelfth monethmonth, seventh day of their coming out of Egypt; and one hundred and twentieth year of his age. See upon Aarons death, Num. XXXIII. 38.
No man knoweth] The reason of concealing the place of the Burial of Moses; verse 6 And Michael the Archangel his contending with the Devil, and disputing about the body of Moses, Iude ver. 9. was not revealed in the Scripture of the Old Testament. And this dispute might be, lest the Israelites knowing it, might carry it with them (as Iosephs bones) into Canaan, into which God had said, That he should not enter; or rather, That the people might not idolize it.