Bible Commentaries

If, &c. Beginning of Moses" fourth address. See note on Deuteronomy 1:1.

proveth: i.e. suffereth you to be proved. Hebrew idiom, which speaks of doing what one allows to be done.

your soul = yourself. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13.

cleave. Compare Deuteronomy 10:20.

bondage = bondmen. See note on Deuteronomy 5:6. eleven times in this book.

So shalt thou put. . . away. This expression occurs put . . . away. Hebrew. ba"ar, to burn up in order to clear out.

the evil = the wicked thing. Hebrew. ra"a. App-44.

own soul = own self. Hebrew. nephesh, Hebrew. nephesh. App-13.

entice . . . secretly. Both (Hebrew) words used here.

eye. Figure of speech Prosopopoeia, App-6.

wickedness. Hebrew. ra"a".

hath given = giveth.

men. Hebrew, plural of "ish or "enosh. App-14.

children = sons.

Belial. First occurrence. A word denoting all that is wicked and worthless; hopeless, as to character and destiny. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy, App-6, for the Evil One as the instigator of all the uncleanness of heathenism. Compare 2 Corinthians 6:15.

diligently = thoroughly. Occurs only here and Deuteronomy 17:4; Deuteronomy 19:18.

behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6.

destroying = exterminating. Hebrew. haram.

edge. Hebrew "mouth". Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), App-6, for edge.

burn = burn up. Hebrew. saraph.

heap for ever. Compare Joshua 8:28.

cursed = devoted [to destruction]. Compare Joshua 6:18; Joshua 7:1.

as = according as.

this day. See note on Deuteronomy 4:26.