Chapter 21:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 Numbers Joshua
Deuteronomy 21
Concise Complete
The expiation of uncertain murder. (1-9) Respecting
a captive taken to wife. (10-14) The first-born not to be disinherited for
private affection. (15-17) A stubborn son to be stoned. (18-21) Malefactors not
to be left hanging all night. (22,23)
Verses 1-9 If
a murderer could not be found out, great solemnity is provided for putting away
the guilt from the land, as an expression of dread and detesting of that sin.
The providence of God has often wonderfully brought to light these hidden works
of darkness, and the sin of the guilty has often strangely found them out. The
dread of murder should be deeply impressed upon every heart, and all should join
in detecting and punishing those who are guilty. The elders were to profess that
they had not been any way aiding or abetting the sin. The priests were to pray
to God for the country and nation, that God would be merciful. We must empty
that measure by our prayers, which others are filling by their sins. All would
be taught by this solemnity, to use the utmost care and diligence to prevent,
discover, and punish murder. We may all learn from hence to take heed of
partaking in other men's sins. And we have fellowship with the unfruitful works
of darkness, if we do not reprove them.
Verses
10-14 By this law a soldier was allowed to marry his captive, if he pleased.
This might take place upon some occasions; but the law does not show any
approval of it. It also intimates how binding the laws of justice and honour are
in marriage; which is a sacred engagement.
Verses
15-17 This law restrains men from disinheriting their eldest sons without
just cause. The principle in this case as to children, is still binding to
parents; they must give children their right without partiality.
Verses
18-21 Observe how the criminal is here described. He is a stubborn and
rebellious son. No child was to fare the worse for weakness of capacity,
slowness, or dulness, but for wilfulness and obstinacy. Nothing draws men into
all manner of wickedness, and hardens them in it more certainly and fatally,
than drunkenness. When men take to drinking, they forget the law of honouring
parents. His own father and mother must complain of him to the elders of the
city. Children who forget their duty, must thank themselves, and not blame their
parents, if they are regarded with less and less affection. He must be publicly
stoned to death by the men of his city. Disobedience to a parent's authority
must be very evil, when such a punishment was ordered; nor is it less provoking
to God now, though it escapes punishment in this world. But when young people
early become slaves to sensual appetites, the heart soon grows hard, and the
conscience callous; and we can expect nothing but rebellion and destruction.
Verses
22-23 By the law of Moses, the touch of a dead body was defiling, therefore
dead bodies must not be left hanging, as that would defile the land. There is
one reason here which has reference to Christ; "He that is hanged is accursed of
God;" that is, it is the highest degree of disgrace and reproach. Those who see
a man thus hanging between heaven and earth, will conclude him abandoned of
both, and unworthy of either. Moses, by the Spirit, uses this phrase of being
accursed of God, when he means no more than being treated most disgracefully,
that it might afterward be applied to the death of Christ, and might show that
in it he underwent the curse of the law for us; which proves his love, and
encourages to faith in him.
Chapter 21:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 Numbers Joshua
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
