Annotations.
ANd the people] Hitherto in this booke, Gods grace to his people hath beene manifested in [unspec 1] the ordering; directing, and governing of them in the Wildernesse, towards their promised inheri∣tance: now followeth their unthankfulnesse, and unworthy carriage among so great blessings, by their many murmurings and rebellions; whereby both the disobedient nature of man, and the im∣possibilitie of the Law to bring men unto God, is declared. when they were complainers] or, as complainers; that is, even complainers, very murmu∣rers; grudging, and shewing themselves discon∣tented with their esta••e; and (as is likely) for their so long travell in that Wildernesse, three dayes journey before they came to a resting place, 〈…〉〈…〉▪ 10. 33. and thus Sol. larchi here expou〈…〉〈…〉▪ So whereas they should have rejoyced in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 now among them, they shewed themselves 〈◊〉〈◊〉 mourners, sorrowfull, and (as the Greeke 〈…〉〈…〉∣teth) murmuring. Of such murmurers and com∣plainers, the Apostle also speaketh, Iude verse 〈◊〉〈◊〉. evill] this seemeth to have reference to the first, the people was evill, that is, wicked, and so 〈◊〉〈◊〉∣pleasing the Lord: the Greeke referreth it to the latter, the people murmured evill things 〈…〉〈…〉 Lord. a fire of Iehovah] that is, as the Greeke expoundeth it, from the Lord, and the Chaldee, from before the Lord: though it may also meanes great and vehement fire. Their rebellions before the Law was given at Mount Sinai, God punished not, Exod. 14. 11—15. and 15. 24, 26. and 16. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ 4 9, 20, 27, 28. and 17. 2—5, save onely when they made the molten Calfe at the mount, Exod. 32 27▪ 28. 35. But their sinnes committed after, hee pu∣nisheth severely, as here and after is to be 〈◊〉〈◊〉: for, the Law worketh wrath, Rom. 4 15. And 〈◊〉〈◊〉 these things happened unto them for ensamples tous, 1 Cor. 10. 5—11. consumca] or, devoure••▪ Hebr. did eat. The Greeke translateth, devoured a part 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the campe. In that the fire consumed in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 part, it is probable that there the sinne began among them that were faint and weary with travell; as Deut. 25. 18.
Verse 2. sunke downe] that is, went out, or, was [unspec] quenched; in Greeke, ceased. Their seeking to the Lord in their afflictions, and his mercies towards them, are mentioned in Psal. 78. 34.—38.
Vers. 3. he called] that is, Moses called: or, [unspec] as the Geeeke translateth, the name of that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was called: see the notes on Gen. 16. 14▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ rah] that is, Burning: which name was given 〈◊〉〈◊〉 imprint a memoriall of their sinne and 〈…〉〈…〉 judgements in their hearts, as Moses after 〈◊〉〈◊〉∣tioneth them, in Deut. 9. 7. 22. 24.
Vers. 4. the mixt-multitude] or, the ga〈…〉〈…〉 [unspec 4] multitude; so called in Hebrew of gatherin••••▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Greeke and Chaldee, of mixture: and in the Ch〈…〉〈…〉∣dee said to be Ionathans, they are called, the 〈…〉〈…〉∣gers that were gathered among them. These were that mixed-people that came up with Israel out of Egypt, mentioned in Exod. 12. 38. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with lust] that is, lusted greatly and greedily. 〈…〉〈…〉∣ned and wept] that is, againe wept, the Greeke 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ they sate and wept. The Israelites that a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be∣fore complained, were punished, and repented▪ now againe, by the example of the strangers among them, returne to their sinfull course. Ch〈…〉〈…〉 here saith, After that (the sons of Israel) had murmured already themselves alone, (verse 1.) they turned and murmured with the mixed-multitude, and 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 desire of flesh. So this was another m••••inie, d••ffering from that forespoken of; though in time and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 n••••re together▪ who shall give] a wish, meaning. O that some wo••••d give us flesh: and a tentation, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not beleeving that God could doe it. This their lusting is rehearsed, in Psal. 106. 14. and 78. 18, 19. 20. they tempted God in their heart, asking 〈…〉〈…〉 their soule (or lust:) and they spake against 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪