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make a captain, and let us return into Egypt. And Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the sons of Israel. And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes. And they said unto all the congregation of the sons of Israel, saying, The land which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land. If Jehovah delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and will give it unto us, a land which floweth with milk and honey. Only rebel not ye against Jehovah, and you fear not the people of the land, for they are bread for us their shadow is departed from them, and Jehovah is with us, fear them not. 10 But all the congregation said, to stone them with stones: and the glory of Jehovah appeared in the tent of the congregation before all the sons of Israel. 11 And Jehovah

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raphraseth thus, "let us appoint a king over us for head." Of this their sin, the Scripture saith, they dealt proudly, and hardened their necks, and hearkened not to God's commandments; and refused to hear, and were not mindful of the wonders that he had done among them: but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain (or made a head) to return to their bondage,' Neh. ix. 16, 17. So their evil words and purpose is counted unto them as the deed done. Sol. Jarchi openeth their words thus, let us appoint a king over us; and he saith, the Rabbins have expounded this, as meaning idolatry. The same is also noted by R. Menachem, who further likeneth this sin to theirs that builded the tower of Babel, Gen. xi. So their sin was against God, who is exalted as head above all,' 1 Chron. xxix. 11.

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VER. 5.-FELL ON THEIR FACES,] As much affected with the murmuring of the people, and they fell down, either to pray unto God for them, as in Num. xix. 22; or to entreat them not to proceed in their rebellion as it followeth, before all the assembly.' And elsewhere it appeareth, that Moses spake to encourage the people, saying, 'dread not, neither be afraid of them: Jehovah your God, who goeth before you, he shall fight for you,' &c. Deut. i. 29, 30.

VER. 6. THAT SEARCHED THE LAND,] As appeareth in Num. xiii. 7, 9, 17. RENT THEIR CLOTHES,] In sign of sorrow, for the people's rebellion and blasphemy; for they said, the Lord had brought them out of Egypt, because he hated them,' &c. ; neither did they believe the Lord their God, for all that Moses spake unto them, Deut. i. 27— 32. Of rending garments in sorrow, see Gen. xxxvii. 29; Lev. x. 6, in the annot.

VER. 9.-ONLY,] Or, but rebel not ye; which the Gr. interpreteth, but be not ye

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apostates (or revolters) from the Lord: the Chald. but rebel not ye against the word of the Lord. ARE BREAD FOR US,] Or, shall be our bread, our food, that is, we shall devour and consume them. The Chald. expoundeth it, 'they are delivered into our hand.' So Balaam prophesied of Israel, 'he shall eat up the nations his enemies,' Num. xxiv. 8. And in Ps. lxxix. 7, he hath eaten up Jacob,' that is, consumed: and in Ps. xiv. 4, they eat my people as they eat bread.' Also in Deut. vii. 16, thou shalt eat (that is, consume) all the people. THEIR SHADOW,] That is, God their defence, covert, protection; which the Chald. expoundeth, their strength; so in Is. xxx. 2, 'the strength of Pharaoh, and the shadow of Egypt,' do explain one another; and shadow is used often for defence: as, the shadow of the Almighty,' Ps. xci. 1; and Jehovah thy shadow,' Ps. cxxi. 5; and God saith, I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand,' Is. li. 16; xlix. 2. JEHOVAH IS WITH Us,] The Chald. explaineth it, the word of the Lord is for our help.

VER. 10.-SAID TO STONE THEM,] That is, spake one to another, that they should stone Joshua and Caleb. An example of notorious obstinacy and outrage; and at another time, they had almost done the like unto Moses, Exod. xvii. 4. So after this Jerusalem stoned the prophets, which spake the things pertaining to her peace, Matt. xxiii. 37. APPEARED IN THE TENT,] The Gr. explaineth it, appeared in the cloud over the tent of the testimony. This is confirmed by the like appearance in Num. xvi. 42; and Sol. Jarchi here saith, "the cloud descended there. It was an extraordinary appearance, to restrain the people's fury, and to help his faithful witnesses.

VER. 11.-PROVOKE ME,] Or, despite, blaspheme, contemptuously provoke me. So

said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will they not believe in me, for all the signs which I have done amongst them? 12 I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of thee a nation greater and mightier than they. 13 And Moses said unto Jehovah, Then the Egyptians shall hear it; for thou broughtest up this people in thy might, from among them. "And they will say to the inhabitants of this land, for they have heard that thou Jehovah art among this people, that thou Jehovah art seen eye to eye, and that thy cloud standeth over them, and in a pillar of cloud thou goest before them by day, and in a pillar of fire by night. 15 Now if thou shalt kill this people as one man, then the nations will say, which have heard the fame of thee, saying, 16 Because Jehovah was not able to bring this people into the land which he sware unto them; therefore he hath slain them in the wilderness. 17 And now, I beseech thee, let the power of the Lord be great, according as thou hast spoken, saying, is Jehovah is long-suffering, and much in mercy, forgiving iniquity the apostle expoundeth this word blaspheme, in Rom. ii. 24; from Is. lii. 5; and it implieth also a contempt or despising, Prov. i. 30; xv. 5; Is. v. 24. NOT BELIEVE IN ME,] In Gr. not believe me; which the Chald. explaineth, not believe in my word. This unbelief is noted as a chief cause of their rebellion, and so of their destruction after in the wilderness, Deut. i. 32; Heb. iii. 18, 19. FOR ALL THE SIGNS,] Though many signs and wonders had been showed, yet they believed not: so of their posterity it is said, though Jesus had done so many signs before them, yet they believed not in him,' John xii. 37. AMONG THEM,] Heb. in the midst thereof, to wit, of the people.

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VER. 12.-SMITE THEM,] Heb. smite him, that is, the people, spoken of as one man: see ver. 15. PESTILENCE,] In Gr. and Chald. death: see the notes on Exod. v. 3. DISINHERIT THEM,] Deprive them of the land promised unto their fathers: the Gr. and Chald. translate, destroy them. MAKE OF THEE,] Heb. make them to a nation: the like speech God used, when they had made the golden calf, Exod. xxxii. 10. The Gr. here addeth, I will make thee and thy father's house,' &c.

VER. 14. THEY WILL SAY,] That which after followeth in ver. 16. TO THE INHABITANTS,] Or, with the inhabitants, meaning the Canaanites; so both the one and the other people will take occasion to blaspheme. The Heb. word which usually signifieth unto, is sometimes used for with; as in 1 Sam. xxiii. 23; Ezra ii. 63. THOU JEHOVAH ART,] The Chald. expoundeth it, that thy divine presence (or majesty) abideth among this people. ART SEEN,] Or, hast been seen

eye to eye; that is, visibly, apparently, plainly, according to the like phrase in Num. xii. 8,mouth to mouth;' and in Exod. xxxiii. 11; and Deut. v. 4, face to face.' The Chald. here explaineth it thus, that with their eyes they have seen the majesty of thy glory; and by Thargum Jonathan, this is referred to the giving of the law upon mount Sinai. STANDETH OVER THEM,] As protecting them from evil; which in Thargum Jonathan is explained," that they should not be hurt with heat or with rain." Compare Exod. xiii. 21, 22; Num. ix. 17, &c.

VER. 15.-AS ONE MAN,] That is, all of them together and suddenly. THE FAME OF THEE,] The hearsay or report of thee; which the Gr. translateth, thy name; the Chald. the fame of thy might.

VER. 16.-WAS NOT ABLE,] Elsewhere Moges showeth that he had respect unto two things by which God's name and glory might be impeached among the Gentiles; because he could not, or because he would not, but hated his people, Deut. ix. 28; Exod. xxxii. 12. And this is the first argument of Moses' supplication, that God's name might not be blasphemed among the heathens.

VER. 17. THE POWER OF THE LORD,] Or, the might, as in ver. 13; that is, as the Gr. explaineth it, the power of thee, O Lord. Lord is here in Heb. Adonai, which the Chald. expresseth by the letters for Jehovah, and it signifieth my stays or sustainers: see the notes on Gen. xv. 2. BE GREAT,] That is, be showed to be great; the Gr. translateth it, be exalted.

VER. 18.-LONG-SUFFERING,] Heb. long of anger; that is, long ere he be angry. Here Moses mentioneth that name of God,

and trespass and clearing will not clear (the guilty;) visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the sons unto the third and unto the fourth generation. 19 Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people, according unto the greatness of thy mercy, and as thou hast forgiven this people from Egypt, even until now. 20 And Jehovah said, I have pardoned, according to thy word. suredly, as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of Jehovah. For all the men which have seen my glory, and my signs which I did in Egypt, and in the wilderness, and have tempted me these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice; 23 If they

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which was proclaimed at mount Sinai, when the people had formerly sinned in making the golden calf, Exod. xxxiv. 5-7. IN MERCY,] The Gr. addeth, and true; from Exod. xxxiv. 6. FORGIVING,] Or, as the Gr. translateth, taking away. INIQUITIES,] In Gr. iniquities, and unrighteousnesses, and sins; the Chald. also addeth the word sins, as was in Exod. xxxiv. 7. This is the second reason of Moses' request from the nature and covenant of God. THE GUILTY,] This word is supplied also in the Gr. version. The Chald. paraphraseth, being merciful unto them that turn to his law, but not clearing them that turn not.' VISITING,] That is, punishing; in Gr. recompensing; see Exod. xx. 5. UPON THE SONS,] Or children; in Chald. upon the rebellious sons. THE THIRD,] In Chald. unto the third generation and unto the fourth generation. Thus Moses requested an absolute pardon for all; but that God would in wrath remember mercy, though in justice he punished the chief transgressors.

VER. 19.-EVEN UNTIL NOW,] Or, hitherto; as for example, when they sinned in making the calf, Exod. xxxii. (besides other times,) at which time God destroyed them not as they deserved, but some of them only perished.

VER. 20.-I HAVE PARDONED,] Or, I do pardon, as the Gr. explaineth it, in the time present. Howbeit, Chazkuni understandeth it of the time past, that God should say, he had pardoned them once when they made the calf; but now he would not pardon them, but execute vengeance. The former sense seemeth best with the limitation following, according to thy word,' viz. that he would not destroy them all as one man,' at once with the pestilence, having respect to the glory of his name. For which cause he spared them at other times also, both before and after, as he showeth by the prophets, Ezek. x. 8, 9, 13, 14, 21, 22, &c.; Ps. cvi. 7, 8. upon the people after confessed, Thou art a God of pardons, gracious, and merciful, longsuffering, and of great kindness, and forsakest them not,' Neh. ix. 17.

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VER. 21. AS I LIVE,] Heb. and assuredly I live, and all the earth shall be filled: which is a form of oath, often used of the Lord, Ezek. xviii. 3; xx. 33; v. 11. Whereupon it is said, ' and thou shalt swear Jehovah liveth,' &c. Jer. iv. 2; and where he saith in the prophet, I have sworn by myself,' Is. xlv. 23; the apostle expresseth it with these words, I live, saith the Lord,' Rom. xiv. 11. And the sign of an oath was the lifting up of the hand; so both of them are joined in Deut. xxxii. 40, I lift up my hands to heaven, and say, I live for ever: Wherefore the oath which God here sware, is signified by the lifting up of his hand, in Ps. cvi. 26; Ezek. xx. 15. FILLED WITH THE GLORY,] That is, all peoples of the earth shall see and acknowledge the powerful and just administration of the Lord, unto his glory and honour. Compare Is. vi. 3; and Ps. lxxii. 19, where Christ's kingdom is prophesied of, with whose glory all the earth is full.

VER. 22. MY GLORY,] Under this, all God's glorious works are comprehended; as powers are used for powerful works, Matt. vii. 22; xi. 20; 1 Cor. xii. 10; 2 Cor. xii. 12. SIGNS,] That is, miracles, miraculous and significant works. TEN TIMES,] Hereby may be meant no certain number, but many times, as in Gen. xxxi. 7; Job xix. 3; so ten is for many, in Lev. xxvi. 26. It may also be taken properly, for now they had sinned ten times; first, at the Red sea, Exod. xiv. 11, 12; then in Marah, Exod. xv. 23, 24; again in the wilderness of Sin, Exod. xvi. 2; then twice about manna, Exod. xvi. 20, 27, 28; after that at Rephidim, Exod. xvii. 1-3; then by the calf at Horeb, Exod. xxxii.; at Taberah, Num. xi. 1; and again at Kibroth-hattaavah, Num. xi. 4; and now the tenth time by their rebellion in Pharan.

VER. 23.-IF THEY SHALL SEE,] That is, as the Gr. translateth it, surely they translate not see. This also is an oatli, whereby God sweareth they shall not see, that is, not go in to enjoy the land, as is explained by David, in Ps. xcv. 11, I swear in my anger, if they shall enter into my rest;' which the

shall see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it. 2 But my servant Caleb, because there was another spirit in him, and he followed me fully; even him will I bring into the land, whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess (Now the Amalekite and the Canaanite dwelt in the valley :) to-morrow, turn ye, and journey you into the wilderness, by the way of the Red sea.

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apostle openeth thus, he sware that they should not enter into his rest,' Heb. iii. 18. So if a sign be given,' Mark viii, 12; is more plainly expounded, a sign shall not be given,' Matt. xvi. 4. WHICH I SWARE UNTO,] That is, which I sware to give unto your fathers,' Deut. i. 35; this was the land of Canaan, Gen. xii. 5, 7; called the holy land,' Zech. ii. 12; the land of Jehovah,' Ilos. ix. 3; the land of Emmanuel,' that is, of Christ, Is. viii. 8; for it was a sign of the heavenly inheritance to be obtained by Christ, Heb. xi. 9, 10; therefore the keeping of them out of this land, figured also the exeluding of them, and of all unbelievers out of the kingdom of heaven, Heb. iii. 12—19; iv. 1-11.

VER. 24.-SPIRIT IN HIM,] Or, with him ; That is, he was guided by another spirit than the ten spies. The same is to be understood of Joshua, as appeareth by Num. xxxii. 12, though not here mentioned. This other spirit was the spirit of faith, which the law cannot give, Gal. iii. 2; the spirit of adoption of sons, not of bondage to fear again, Rom. viii. 14, 15; by the guidance of this spirit Caleb constantly followed the Lord, and obtained the promised inheritance. HE FOLLOWED ME FULLY,] Heb. he followed after me so in Deut. i. 36; Josh. xiv. 8; ix. 14. By this manner of speech, is meant a full and constant following and obedience unto the end; the contrary whereof was in Solomon, of whom it is said, he followed not after the Lord, as did David his father, 1 Kings xi. 6; and in this people of Israel now generally, of whom God saith, they followed not after me,' Num. xxxii. 11. The Gr. translateth it, he followed me; the Chald he fulfilled (or accomplished) after my fear. Chazkuni expoundeth it, " he hath accom plished the word after me;" and compareth it with that phrase in 1 Kings i. 14, I will come in after thee, and fulfil (that is, confirm) thy words. HIS SEED,] In Chald. his FONS. SHALL POSSESS IT,] Shall inherit it : thus both the Gr. and Chald, do interpret it: or shall cause to inherit it, that is, leave it to their posterity for an inheritance; as it is written, it shall be thine inheritance, and thy children's for ever,' Josh. xiv. 9. The word is also used in a contrary meaning, to VOL. II.

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disinherit, as before in ver. 2; and so it may be translated, shall disinherit it, that is, disinherit and drive out the inhabitants of it, and seize upon it, as in Josh. viii. 7, ' ye shall disinherit (or seize upon) the city;' and thus it agreeth with Caleb's speech, if so be the Lord will be with me, then I will dis. inherit them (or drive them out) as the Lord said,' Josh. xiv. 12. In this latter sense, Sol. Jarchi here expoundeth it, "drive it out, that is, they shall drive out the Anakims and people that are therein." This promise Moses related unto Caleb, and in the name of the Lord, he sware unto him for the performance of it, Josh. xiv. 9.

VER. 25.-Now,] Heb. And. DWELT,] Or, dwelleth, Heb. sitteth in the valley: after in ver. 45; they are said to dwell (or sit) in the mountain; and sitting as it is often put for dwelling, so sometimes for lying in wait, as in Josh. viii. 9; which may be meant here. Chazkuni expoundeth this place thus; that "as the spies were afraid of Amalek (Num. xiii. 29,) so with them the holy blessed (God) made them afraid." And whereas it is here said, in the valley; and in ver. 45, in that mountain; he accordeth them thus, that the most of them sat in the valley, and some few of them in the mountain, and those few warred against them, and therefore it is written, which sat in that mountain,' to imply that there were of them which sat in another place; or it may be they dwelt in the valley, and when they heard that the sons of Israel came against them, they went up into the mountain and lay in wait for them there; and we find that sitting sometimes meaneth lying in wait, as it is written (in Ps. x. 8,) 'he sitteth in the waiting place of the villages.' TO-MORROW TURN YE,] The people were now in Kadesh, from whence they sent the spies, Num. xiii. 26; Deut. i. 19; and after this their rebellion, and the slaughter following, they abode in Kadesh many days, and then turned and journeyed into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea,' Deut. i. 46; ii. 1. Chazkuni here saith, "to-morrow meaneth after this time; for lo, they abode in Kadesh many days before they began to compass about mount Seir: and it is like that phrase (Exod. xii. 34,) when thy son shall ask thee to-morrow."

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26 And Jehovah spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, "How long (shall I pardon) this evil congregation which murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the sons of Israel, which they murmur against me. 25 Say unto them, As I live, assuredly saith Jehovah, if I do not so unto you, as ye have spoken in mine ears. 29 Your carcasses shall fall in this wilderness, and all that were mustered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me. If you shall come into the land concerning which I lifted up my hand to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun. And your little ones, which ye said should be for a prey, even them will I bring in, and they shall know the land which ye have despised. But as for you, your carcasses shall fall in this wilderness. 33 And your children shall feed in the wilderness forty years, and shall bear your whore

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JOURNEY YOU,] Or, journey for you, which some understand to mean, for your good, see Gen. xii. 1. THE WAY OF THE RED SEA,] That is, the way towards the Red sea: see the notes on Exod. xiii. 17. In this Red sea the people had been baptized, 1 Cor. x. 1,2; Exod. xiv. Baptism was unto repentance, and with confession of sins, and unto the death of Christ, Mat. iii. 6, 11; Rom. vi. 3; so this sending them back into the wilderness towards the Red sea, was to humble them by repentance, that through faith in Christ they might have entrance into the kingdom of heaven; otherwise they should perish for ever, as their carcasses perished in this wilderness.

VER. 27.-HOW LONG,] To wit, shall I pardon, (as in ver. 19, 20,) or shall I bear with. An imperfect speech, such as men use in passion of mind, when through grief they utter not all their words, as may be seen in Moses, Exod. xxxii. 32; Ps. xc. 13; in David, Ps. vi. 4; and sundry the like. WHICH MURMUR,] Or which cause (the people) to murmur, as in ver. 36. Thus Sol. Jarchi expoundeth it, referring the congregation forementioned to the ten spies; but the Gr. and Chald. translate, which murmur; so in the sentence following.

VER. 28.-I LIVE,] It is an oath, as in ver. 21; whereby the Lord sweareth in his anger, that they should not enter into his rest, Ps. xcv. 11; Heb. iii. 18; Num. xxxii. 10, 11. ASSUREDLY SAITH,] Or, the faithful saying; see Gen. xxii. 16. IF I DO NOT,] That is, as the Gr. explaineth it, surely I will do: see before on ver. 23. SPOKEN IN MINE EARS,] In Chald. spoken before me this hath reference to their words in ver. 2, where they wished they might die in the wilder

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VER. 29.-YOUR CARCASSES.] The Gr calleth them Cola, that is, members, which word the apostle also useth in Heb. iii. 17, for carcasses or dead bodies. So in Lev. xxvi. 30. FALL,] That is, die, being destroyed of the destroyer, 1 Cor. x. 10. MUSTERED,] Numbered as able men for the war, Num. i. This sentence was executed upon them, as is after showed in Num. xxvi. 64, 65.

VER. 30.-I LIFTED UP MY HAND,] That is, sware, as the Chald. expoundeth it, I sware by my word: see Deut. 32, 40; and the notes before on ver. 21; and Gen. xiv. 22.

VER. 31.-YOUR LITTLE ONES,] Your children under twenty years of age: see ver. 3. SHALL KNOW,] In Gr. shall inherit, rightly explaining the sense: for to know the land is to enjoy the same. And so Moses relating this promise, saith, they shall possess the land,' Deut. i. 39.

VER. 32.-BUT AS FOR YOU, YOUR CARCASSES] Heb. and your carcasses, you: where the latter you is for explanation, to exempt their children, you or yours only.

VER. 33. SHALL FEED,] Or, shall be feeding; so likewise the Gr. translateth it: by feed, meaning wander as sheep for pasture in the wilderness: the Chald. of Onkelos expoundeth it, Itarry or abide," but Jonathan saith," wander;" and Chazkuni explaineth it, "feed as sheep sometimes here and sometimes there, so your sons shall remove hither and thither till their carcasses be consumed." Thus may we understand that in the prophet, the Lord will feed them as a lamb in a large place,' Hosea iv. 16; that is, will let them wander to destruction. So in other languages, wander is used for feeding, as in Virgil, Bucol. eclog. 2, mille meæ Sicu lis errant in montibus agnæ. FORTY YEARS,]

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