Bible Commentaries

spake. See note on Numbers 1:1.

Avenge. Hebrew revenge the revengement. Figure of speech Polyptoton (App-6). = execute due vengeance.

children = sons.

afterward. Samaritan Pentateuch, The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulg, read "and afterward".

be gathered, &c. Compare Numbers 27:13.

avenge the LORD of Midian = render the vengeance of Jehovah upon Midian. Compare Ch. Numbers 25:17.

armed = assigned to or for, &c.

Phinehas. Compare Numbers 25:7-15.

instruments = vessels.

trumpets = alarm trumpets, which were also prayer trumpets. Compare Numbers 10:9, Numbers 10:10.

as = according as.

Evi. Compare Joshua 13:21.

five kings: called princes or dukes of Sihon, Joshua 13:21.

Balaam. Compare Joshua 13:22.

slew. Balaam thus did not "die the death of the righteous". Compare Numbers 23:10.

burnt = burnt up, or down. Hebrew. saraph. App-43. The same judgment is in store for spiritual fornication. Revelation 17:16; Revelation 18:8.

castles = fortified places.

prey = booty. Hebrew. malkoah. First occurrence. Always used of animated prey. Compare Numbers 31:32.

captives. Hebrew captivity.

the. Some codices, with Samaritan Pentateuch, The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "all the".

meet them: as Melchizedek met Abram (Genesis 14:17).

wroth. Moses meek in his own matters, but not in Jehovah"s. In these there was a "godly jealousy".

battle. Hebrew battle of the war = "the [battle] array (or host) of the war", or martial host.

these. Compare Numbers 25:2.

counsel = word, or doctrine (Revelation 2:14).

trespass = Hebrew. ma"al. Compare App-44.

him = male.

person = soul. Hebrew. nephesh (App-13).

went = came, or had come

ordinance = statute.

the. Some codices, with Samaritan Pentateuch, The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "and the" in each of these three instances, making the Figure of speech Polysyndeton.

iron. Found in Egypt as early as 2800 B.C.

water of separation. See Num 19.

spake. See note on Numbers 1:1.

tribute = computed value, assigned to Jehovah. Hebrew. mekes. Occurs only in this chapter.

soul. Hebrew. nephesh.

persons = men. Hebrew. "adam.

give it. An extra portion in addition to Deuteronomy 18:1, Deuteronomy 18:2 and Numbers 18:19. So Abram, Genesis 14:20.

of the. Some codices, with Samaritan Pentateuch, The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "and of the".

tabernacle = habitation. Hebrew. mishkan. App-40.

as = according as.

beeves. Old English (from the French), for oxen.

persons. Hebrew, plural of nephesh.

man = male.

to war = to, or, for the host.

And the persons. Figure of speech Epanadiplosis. App-6.

persons = souls. Hebrew. nephesh (plural) App-13. Literally soul of man.

gave them. See 1 Chronicles 9:2. Hebrew. nathan, to give. Hence their name, "Nethinim. "

oblation. This was voluntary. The levy in Numbers 31:25, &c, was commanded. See Leviticus 2:4.

jewels = instruments or vessels.

atonement. See note on Exodus 29:33.

souls. Hebrew, plural of nephesh. App-13.

offering = heave offering. See App-43, and note on Exodus 29:27.

offered up = heaved.

shekels. See App-51.

tabernacle = tent. Hebrew. "ohel. See App-40.