Bible Commentaries

Aaron

11:1, 13:1, Psalms 25:14, Amos 3:7, Hebrews 1:1

unto the

Deuteronomy 4:7,8, Nehemiah 9:13,14, Psalms 78:5, 147:19,20, Romans 3:2

when any man

It is not necessary to consider particularly the laws contained in this chapter, the letter of the text being in general sufficiently plain. It may, however, be observed, that from the pains which persons rendered unclean were obliged to take, the ablutions and separations which they must observe, and the privations to which they must in consequence be exposed, in the way of commerce, traffic, etc., these laws were admirably adapted to prevent contagion of every kind, by keeping the whole from the diseased, and to hinder licentious indulgences and excesses of every description.

22:4, Numbers 5:2, 2 Samuel 3:29, Matthew 9:20, Mark 5:25, 7:20-23, Luke 8:43

running issue

or, running of the reins.

12:3, Ezekiel 16:26, 23:20

thing

Heb. vessel. be unclean.

1 Corinthians 15:33, Ephesians 5:11, Titus 1:15

11:25,28,32, 13:6,34, 14:8,9,27,46,47, 16:26,28, 17:15, Numbers 19:10,22, Psalms 26:6, 51:2,7, Isaiah 1:16, 22:14, Ezekiel 36:25,29, Hebrews 9:14,26, 10:22, James 4:8, Revelation 7:14

Isaiah 1:16, James 4:8

Isaiah 1:16, Galatians 1:8,9, 1 Timothy 4:1-3, Titus 1:9,10, 2 Peter 2:1-3, James 4:8, Jude 1:4

saddle

The word merchav, from rachav, to ride, here rendered by our translators saddle, and frequently chariot. Mr. Harmer thinks rather means a litter, or coune, of which we have already given a description in Ge 31:34.

Genesis 31:34

5,8, Psalms 26:6, James 4:8

whomsoever

It is rather doubtful whether the words hath not rinsed his hands in water refer to him who was diseased, or to him who had his hands touched. Most understand it of the former, that if the person who had the issue rinsed his hands in water, just before he touched any one, he did not communicate any pollution; otherwise, he did. But the Syriac refers it to the person touched by him, though it seems strange that he should be cleansed by washing his hands, when perhaps some other part was touched.

vessel

6:28, 11:32,33, Proverbs 1:21,23, 3:21, 2 Corinthians 5:1, Philippians 3:21

shall be broken

Psalms 2:9

seven days

28, 8:33, 9:1, 14:8,10, Exodus 29:35,37, Numbers 12:14, 19:11,12

wash

5,10,11, Jeremiah 33:8, Ezekiel 36:25-29, 2 Corinthians 7:1, James 4:8, Revelation 1:5

29,30, 1:14, 12:6,8, 14:22-31, Numbers 6:10, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Hebrews 7:26, 10:10,12, Hebrews 10:14

the one

5:7-10, 14:19,20,30,31

an atonement

4:20,26,31,35, 12:7, 14:18, Numbers 15:25, 25:13, Matthew 3:17, Ephesians 1:6, Hebrews 1:3

5, 22:4, Deuteronomy 23:10,11, 2 Corinthians 7:1, 1 Peter 2:11, 1 John 1:7

skin

The poorer class of Arabs of our times make use of mats in their tents; and other inhabitants of these countries, who affect ancient simplicity of manners, make use of goat-skins. Dr. R. Chandler, in his Travels in Greece, tells us, that he saw some dervishes at Athens sitting on goat-skins; and that he was afterwards conducted into a room furnished in like manner, with the same kind of carpeting, where he was treated with a pipe and coffee by the chief dervish. Those that are at all acquainted with Oriental manners, in these later times, know that their dervishes (who are a sort of Mohammedan devotees, a good deal resembling the begging friars of the church or Rome) affect great simplicity, and even sometimes austerity, in their dress and way of living. As these dervishes that Dr. Chandler visited sat on goat-skins, and used no other kind of carpet for the accommodation of those who visited them: so it should seem that the Israelites in the wilderness made use of skins for mattresses to lie upon, and consequently, we may equally suppose to sit upon in the day time, instead of a carpet.

the woman

5, Ephesians 4:17-19, 5:3-11, 2 Timothy 2:22, 1 Peter 2:11

unclean

Exodus 19:15, 1 Samuel 21:4,5, Psalms 51:5, 1 Corinthians 6:12,18, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5, Hebrews 13:4

and her issue

12:2,4, 20:18, Lamentations 1:8,9,17, Ezekiel 36:17, Matthew 15:19, Mark 5:25

put apart

Heb. in her separation.

4-9, Proverbs 2:16-19, 5:3-13, 6:24,35, 7:10-27, 9:13-18, 22:27, Ecclesiastes 7:26, 1 Corinthians 15:33

5,6, Isaiah 22:14, 2 Corinthians 7:1, Hebrews 9:26, Revelation 7:14

33, 20:18, Ezekiel 18:6, 22:10, 1 Thessalonians 5:22, Hebrews 13:4, 1 Peter 2:11

19-24, Matthew 9:20, Mark 5:25, 7:20-23, Luke 8:43

5-8,13,21, 17:15,16, Ezekiel 36:25,29, Zechariah 13:1, Hebrews 9:14, 10:22, 1 Peter 1:18,19, 1 John 1:7

13-15, Matthew 1:21, 1 Corinthians 1:30, 6:11, Galatians 3:13, 4:4, Ephesians 1:6,7

Leviticus 15:14

Thus shall

11:47, 13:59, Numbers 5:3, Deuteronomy 24:8, Psalms 66:18, Ezekiel 44:23, Hebrews 10:29, Hebrews 12:14,15, Jude 1:4

that they

19:30, 21:23, Numbers 5:3, 19:13,20, Ezekiel 5:11, 23:38, 44:5-7, Daniel 9:27, 1 Corinthians 3:17; These laws were principally intended to impress the minds of the Israelites with reverence for the sanctuary; and, on the one hand, to shew them what need they had of circumspection, and purity of heart and life, in order to worship the holy God with acceptance; and, on the other hand, that being sinners in a world full of temptations and defilements, they would continually need forgiveness, through the great atonement typified by all the sacrifices, and the sanctification of the Spirit, showed forth by all the purifications. While they were encamped in the desert, it would not be very burdensome to bring the prescribed oblations; but after they were settled in Canaan, many of them at a great distance from the tabernacle, this would become much more difficult. We may, however, observe, continues Mr. Scott, that many of the cases stated only required such washings as might any where be performed, and that those, respecting which sacrifices were appointed, would more rarely occur. We may also suppose, that provided these were brought, when the person who had been unclean first came to the sanctuary, it would suffice: though distance or other hindrances prevented its being done immediately, at the expiration of the seven days.

1-18, 11:46, 13:59, 14:2,32,54-57, Numbers 5:29, 6:13, 19:14, Ezekiel 43:12

of her

and of him

24, 20:18