Annotations upon the five bookes of Moses, the booke of the Psalmes, and the Song of Songs, or, Canticles VVherein the Hebrevv vvords and sentences, are compared with, and explained by the ancient Greeke and Chaldee versions, and other records and monuments of the Hebrewes: but chiefly by conference with the holy Scriptures, Moses his words, lawes and ordinances, the sacrifices, and other legall ceremonies heretofore commanded by God to the Church of Israel, are explained. With an advertisement touching some objections made against the sinceritie of the Hebrew text, and allegation of the Rabbines in these annotations. As also tables directing unto such principall things as are observed in the annotations upon each severall booke. By Henry Ainsworth.

CHAP. XIIII.

1. The Israelites weepe and murmure at the

newes that the spies brought out of Canaan; and speake of returning into Egypt. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Iosua a••d Caleb labour to still and encourage them, but the Israelites would have stoned them. 11. God threatneth to destroy the people. 13. Moses intreateth for them, and obtai∣neth pardon. 23. The murmurers are deprived of entring into the land, and condemned to wander fortie yeares in the wildernesse, and die there. 36. The spies who raised the evill report, die by a plague. 39. The people hearing the sentence of God against them, mourne, and offer themselves to goe up; but Moses forbiddeth them. 44. Yet they presume to goe up, and are smitten by their enemies.

ANd all the congregation lifted up, and gave their voice, and the people [unspec 1] wept that night. And all the sons of Israel murmured against Moses and a∣gainst [unspec 2] Aaron: and all the congregation said unto them; Oh that wee had died in the land of Egypt, o•• in this wildernesse, oh that wee might die. And wherefore doth Iehovah bring us unto this land, to fall by the sword? [unspec 3] our wives and our little-ones shall be for a prey: were it not better for us to returne into Egypt? And they said, every man unto his brother: Let us make a captaine, and let [unspec 4] us returne into Egypt. And Moses and Aaron fell on their faces, before all the [unspec 5] assembly of the congregation of the sonnes of Israel. And Ioshua the sonne of [unspec 6] Nun, and Caleb the sonne of Iephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes. And they said unto all the congregation of the sonnes of Israel, say∣ing; [unspec 7] The land which wee passed thorow to search it, is an exceeding good land. If [unspec 8] Iehovah delight in us, then hee will bring us into this land, and will give it unto us, a land which floweth with milke and honey. One∣ly [unspec 9] rebell not yee against Iehovah; and you, feare not the people of the land, for they are bread for us: their shadow is departed from them, and Iehovah is with us, feare them not.

But all the congregatiō said, to stone them [unspec 10] with stones: and the glory of Iehovah appea∣red in the Tent of the Congregation, before all the sons of Israel. And Iehovah said un∣to [unspec 11] Moses; How long will this people pro∣voke me? and how long will they not beleeve in me, for all the signes which I have done a∣mongst them? I will smite them with the [unspec 12] pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of thee a nation greater and mightier than they. And Moses said unto Iehovah; [unspec 13] Then the Egyptians shall heare it, for thou broughtest up this people, in thy might, from among them. And they will say to the in∣habitants [unspec 14] of this land, for they have heard, that thou Iehovah art among this people, that thou Iehovah art seene eye to eye, and that thy cloud standeth over them, and in a pillar of a cloud thou goest before them by day, and in a pillar of fire by night. Now [unspec 15] if thou shalt kill this people as one man, then the nations will say, which have heard the fame of thee, saying; Because Iehovah was [unspec 16] not able to bring this people into the land, which he sware unto them, therefore he hath slaine them in the wildernesse. And now, [unspec 17] I beseech thee, let the power of the Lord bee great, according as thou hast spoken, saying;

Iehovah is long suffering, & much in mer∣cie, [unspec 18] forgiving iniquitie, and trespasse: and clearing will not cleare (the guilty;) visiting the iniquitie of the fathers upon the sonnes, unto the third, and unto the fourth generati∣on. Pardon I beseech thee, the iniquitie [unspec 19] of this people, according unto the greatnesse of thy mercie, and as thou hast forgiven this people from Egypt, even untill now. And [unspec 20] Iehovah said, I have pardoned, according to thy word. But assuredly, as I live, a•••• [unspec 21] the earth shall bee filled with the glory of Ie∣hovah. For all the men which have seene [unspec 22] my glory, and my signes, which I did in E∣gypt, and in the wildernesse, & have tempted me these ten times, and have not ••earkned to my voice; If they shall see the land, which [unspec 23] I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me, see it. But my [unspec] servant Caleb, because there was another spirit in him, and hee followed me fully; e∣ven him will I bring into the land, whereinto he went, & his seed shall possesse it. (Now [unspec 25] the Amalekite, and the Canaanite, dwelt in the valley:) to morrow, turne yee, and jour∣ney you into the wildernesse by the way of the red sea.

And Iehovah spake unto Moses and unto [unspec 26] [unspec 27] Aaron, saying; How long (shall I pardon) this evill congregation, which murmure a∣gainst me? I have heard the murmurings of the sonnes of Israel, which they murmure a∣gainst me. Say unto them, A•• I live, assu∣redly [unspec] saith Iehovah, if I doe not so unto you, as ye have spoken in mine eares. Your car∣kasses [unspec] shall fall in this wildernesse; and all that were mustered of you, according to your whole number, from twentie yeares old and upward, which have murmured against mee.

If you shall come into the land, concerning [unspec] which I lifted up my hand, to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the sonne of Iephunneh,

and Ioshua the son of Nun. And your lit∣tle-ones, [unspec 31] which yee said should be for a prey, even them will I bring in, and they shall know the land, which yee have despised.

But as for you, your carkasses shall fall in [unspec 32] [unspec 33] this wildernesse. And your children shall feed in the wildernesse fortie yeares, and shall beare your whoredomes, untill your carkas∣ses be consumed in the wildernesse. After [unspec 34] the number of the dayes in which yee sear∣ched the land, fortie dayes; a day for a yeare, a day for a yeare, yee shall beare your ini∣quities, fortie yeares; and yee shall know my breach (of promise.) I Iehovah have spo∣ken, [unspec 35] If I doe not this unto all this evill con∣gregation, that are gathered together a∣gainst me; in this wildernesse they shall bee consumed, and there they shall die. And [unspec 36] the men which Moses had sent to search the land, and which returned, and made all the congregation to murmure against him, by bringing up an evill report upon the land: Even the men died that did bring up the evill report of the land, by the plague, before Ie∣hovah. [unspec 37] But Ioshua the sonne of Nun, and [unspec 38] Caleb the sonne of Iephunneh, lived, of those men that went to search the land. And Moses spake these words unto all the [unspec 39] sonnes of Israel, and the people mourned greatly. And they rose up early in the [unspec 40] morning, and went up unto the top of the mountaine, saying; Loe we be here, and will goe up unto the place, which Iehovah hath said, for we have sinned. And Moses [unspec 41] said, Wherefore now doe you transgresse the mouth of Iehovah? But it shall not prosper.

Goe not up, for Iehovah is not among you, [unspec 42] that yee be not smitten, before your enemies.

For the Amalekite and the Canaanite is [unspec 43] there before you, and yee shall fall by the sword, for because yee are turned from after Iehovah, and Iehovah will not be with you.

But they loftily presumed to goe up to the top [unspec 44] of the mountaine: but the Arke of the co∣venant of Iehovah, and Moses, departed not from within the campe. And the Amale∣kite [unspec 45] came downe, and the Canaanite, which dwelt in that mountaine; and smote them, and discomfited them, even unto Hormah.

Anno••ations.

LIfted up] to wit, their voice, as after followeth, and as is expressed in Gen. 21. 16. she lifted up 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉, and wept. Or, all the congregation tooke ••p, that is, received, to wit, the evill report which the spies gave of the land, Num. 13. 32. So the phrase is used, in Exod. 23. 1. Thou shalt not take up a vaine report. This latter, the Greeke version favoureth. gave their voice] that is, cried out. This manner of speech is used to signifie any loud voice, noise or crie, or any creature, or of God him-selfe; as in Psal. 18. 14. the Most high gave his voice; in Ier. ••2. 15. the Lions gave their voice, in Psal. 104. 12. the fowles give the voice; in Psal. 77. 18. the skies gave a voice; in Habak. 3. 10. the deepe gave his voice; and in 2 Chron. 24. 9. men are said to give a voice, when they made a proclamation tho∣row Iudah and Ierusalem. So this people here openly rebelled, and uttered their evill hearts with∣out feare, or shame. that night] Hebr. in or through that night; which the Greeke explaineth, that whole night.

Verse 2. and against Aaron] which were the [unspec 2] Lords ministers, therefore their murmuring was not against them onely, but against the LORD, as Moses told them, in Exod. 16. 2. 8. and as after appeareth in vers. 3. Oh that we might die] or, (Would God) that we were dead: they are words of unbeleefe and despaire, and of great unthank∣fulnesse: compare Exod. 16. 3. Psal. 106. 24, 25. The Greeke translateth, If we were dead: which is a forme of wishing, both in the Greeke and He∣brew tongues, as in 1 Chron. 4. 10. If thou wilt blesse me; that is, Oh that thou wouldest blesse me; so in Luke 12. 49. If it were (for, Oh that it were) al∣ready kindled; and so the Syriak version there ex∣plaineth it.

Vers. 3. to fall] i. that we should fall, that is, [unspec 3] die by the sword? Here they murmure against God himselfe through unbeleefe; as David saith, They contemptuously refused the land of desire, (the plea∣sant land;) they beleeved not his word, but murmu∣red in their tents; they heard not the voice of Iehovah, Psal. 106. 24. 25. were it not better] or, were it not good? The Greeke changeth the phrase thus, Now therefore it is better for us to turne backe into Egypt. So, are they not written, 2 King. 20. 20. is explained thus, Behold they are writen, 2 Chron. 32. 32.

Verse 4. Let us make a captaine] Hebr. Let us [unspec 4] give a head: where by give, is meant make or ap∣point, as the Chaldee expoundeth it; and by head they meane a captaine or chiefe governour, as in Num. 25. 4. 1 Chron. 4. 42. and 12. 20. and as the Greeke here explaineth it. Targum Ionathan paraphraseth thus; Let us appoint a King over us for head. Of this their sinne the scripture saith, They dealt proudly, and hardned their necks, and heark∣ned not to Gods commandements; and refused to heare, and were not mindfull of the wonders that he had done among them: but hardned their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captaine (or made a head) to returne to their bondage, Nehem. 9. 16, 17. So their evill words and purpose, is counted unto them as the deed done. Sol. Iarchi openeth their words thus, Let us appoint a King over us; and he saith, the Rabbines have expounded this, as mea∣ning idolatry. The same is also noted by R. Menachē, who further likeneth this sin, to theirs that buil∣ded

the tower of Babylon, Gen. 11. So their sinne was against God, who is exalted as head above all, 1 Chron. 29. 11.

Verse 5. fell on their faces] as much affected [unspec 5] with the murmuring of the people: and they fell downe, either to pray unto God for them, as in Numb. 16. 22. or to intreat them, not to proceed in their rebellion, as it followeth, before all the as∣sembly. And elswhere it appeareth, that Moses spake to encourage the people, saying, Dread not, neither be afraid of them: Iehovah your God, who goeth before you, he will fight for you, &c. Deut. 1. 29. 30.

Verse 6. that searched the land] as appeareth [unspec 6] in Num. 13. 7. 9. 17. rent their clothes] in signe of sorrow, for the peoples rebellion and blas∣phemie; for they said, the Lord had brought them out of Egypt, because he hated them, &c. neither did they beleeve the Lord their God, for all that Moses spake unto them, Deut. 1. 27.—32. Of ren∣ding garments in sorrow, see Gen. 37. 29. Lev. 10. 6. in the annotations.

Vers. 9. Onely] or, But rebell not yee; which the Greeke interpreteth, But be not yee apostates [unspec 9] (or revolters) from the Lord: the Chaldee, But re∣bell not yee against the word of the LORD. are bread for us] or, shall be our bread, our food; that is, we shall devoure and consume them. The Chal∣dee expoundeth it, They are delivered into our hand. So Balaam prophesied of Israel, Hee shall eat up the nations, his enemies, Num. 24. 8. And in Psal. 79. 7. He hath eaten up Iakob, that is, consumed: and in Psal. 14. 4. They eat my people, as they eat bread. Also in Deut. 7. 16. Thou shalt eat (that is, consume) all the people. their shadow] that is, God, their defence, covert, protection; which the Chaldee expoundeth their strength; so in Esai. 30. 2. the strength of Pharaoh, and the shadow of Egypt, doe explaine one another: and shadow is used often for defence; as, the shadow of the Almighty, Psal. 91. 1. and, Iehovah thy shadow, Psal. 121. 5. and God saith, I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, Esai. 51. 16. and 49. 2. Iehovah is with us] the Chaldee explaineth it, the Word of the LORD is for our help.

Vers. 10. said, to stone them] that is, spake one [unspec 10] to another, that they should stone Iosua and Ca∣leb. An example of notorious obstinacie and out∣rage; and at another time, they had almost done the like unto Moses, Exod. 17. 4. So after this, Ie∣rusalem stoned the Prophets, which spake the things pertaining to her peace, Mat. 23. 37. ap∣peared in the Tent] the Greeke explaineth it, appea∣red in the cloud over the Tent of the Testimonie. This is confirmed by the like apparition, in Num. 16. 42. and Sol. Iarchi here saith, The cloud descended there. It was an extraordinary appearance, to re∣straine the peoples furie, and to help his faithfull witnesses.

Vers. 11. provoke me] or, despite, blaspheme, [unspec 11] contemptuously provoke me. So the Apostle expoun∣deth this word, blaspheme, in Rom. 2. 24. from Esai. 52. 5. and it implieth also a contempt or de∣spising, Prov. 1. 30. and 15. 5. Esai. 5. 24. not beleeve in me] in Greeke, not beleeve me; which the Chaldee explaineth, not beleeve in my word. This unbeleefe is noted as a chiefe cause of their rebelli∣on, and so of their destruction after in the wilder∣nesse, Deut. 1. 32. Heb. 3. 18, 19. for all the signes] though many signes and wonders had beene shewed, yet they beleeved not: so of their posteri∣tie it is said, Though (Iesus) had done so many signes before them, yet they beleeved not in him, Ioh. 12. 37. among them] Hebr. in the midds thereof, to wit, of the people.

Vers. 12. smite them] Hebr. smite him, that is, [unspec 12] the people, spoken of as one man: see vers. 15. pestilence] in Greeke and Chaldee, death: see the notes on Exod. 5. 3. disinherit them] de∣prive them of the land promised unto their fa∣thers: the Greeke and Chaldee translate, destroy them. make of thee] Hebr. make thee, to a nati∣on: the like speech God used, when they had made the golden calfe, Exod. 32. 10. The Greeke here addeth, I will make thee and thy fathers house, &c.

Vers. 14. they will say] that which after follow∣eth [unspec 14] in vers. 16. to the inhabitants] or, with the inhabitants, meaning the Canaanites; so both the one and the other people, will take occasion to blaspheme. The Hebrew word which usually sig∣nifieth unto, is sometime used for with; as in 1 Sam. 23. 23. Ezr. 2. 63. thou Iehovah art] the Chal∣dee expoundeth it, that thy divine presence (or Ma∣jestie) abideth among this people. art seene] or, hast beene seene eye to eye; that is, visibly, appa∣rantly, plainly; according to the like phrase, in Num. 12. 8. mouth to mouth; and in Exod. 33. 11. and Deut. 5. 4. face to face. The Chaldee here ex∣plaineth it thus, that with their eyes they have seene the Majestie of thy glory; and by Targum Ionathan, this is referred to the giving of the law upon mount Sinai. standeth over them] as protecting them from evill; which in Targum Ionathan is explai∣ned, that they should not bee hurt with heat or with raine. Compare Exod. 13. 21, 22. Num. 9. 17, &c.

Vers. 15. as one man] that is, all of them toge∣ther, [unspec 15] and suddenly. the fame of thee] the hear∣say or report of thee; which the Greeke translateth, thy name; the Chaldee, the fame of thy might.

Vers. 16. was not able] elswhere Moses sheweth, [unspec 16] that hee had respect unto two things, by which Gods name and glory might be impeached among the Gentiles; because he could not, or because hee would not, but hated his people, Deut. 9. 28. Exod. 32. 12. And this is the first argument of Moses sup∣plication, that Gods name might not bee blasphe∣med among the heathens.

Vers. 17. the power of the Lord] or, the might, as in vers. 13. that is, as the Greeke explaineth it, the power of thee ô Lord. Lord is here in Hebrew [unspec 17] Adonai, which the Chaldee expresseth by the let∣ters for Iehovah, and it signifieth My stayes, or sustai∣ners: see the notes on Gen. 15. 2. be great] that is, be shewed to be great; the Greeke translateth it, be exalted.

Vers. 18. long suffering] Hebr. long of anger; that is, long ere he be angrie. Here Moses mentio∣neth that Name of God, which was proclaimed at

mount Sinai, when the people had formerly sin∣ned in making the golden calfe, Exod. 34. 5, 6, 7. in mercie] the Greek addeth, & true; from Ex. 34. 6. forgiving] or, as the Greeke translateth, taking away. iniquitie] in Greeke, iniquities, and unrighteous∣nesses, and sins; the Chaldee also addeth the word sinnes, as was in Exod. 34 7. This is the second rea∣son of Moses request, from the nature and covenant of God. the guiltie] this word is supplied also in the Greeke version. The Chaldee paraphraseth, being mercifull unto them that turne to his Law, but not clearing them that turne not. visiting] that is, punishing; in Greeke, recompensing; see Exod. 20. 5. upon the sonnes] or children; in Chaldee, upon the rebellious sonnes. the third] in Chaldee, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the third generation, and unto the fourth genera∣tion. Thus Moses requested not an absolute par∣don for all; but that God would in wrath remem∣ber mercie, though in Iustice he punished the chiefe transgressors.

Verse 19. even untill now] or, hitherto; as for [unspec 19] example, when they sinned in making the calfe, Exod. 32. (besides other times,) at which time God destroyed them not as they deserved, but some of them onely perished.

Verse 20. I have pardoned] or, I doe pardon, as [unspec 20] the Greeke explaineth it, in the time present. Howbeit Chazkuni understandeth it of the time past, that God should say, he had pardoned them once, when they made the calfe; but now he would not pardon them, but execute vengeance. The for∣mer sense seemeth best, with the limitation follow∣ing, according to thy word, viz. that he would not destroy them all as one man, at once with the pesti∣lence, having respect to the glory of his Name. For which cause, he spared them at other times al∣so, both before and after, as he sheweth by the Pro∣phets, Ezek. 10. 8, 9. 13, 14, 21, 22, &c. Psal. 106. 7, 8. And hereupon the people after confessed, Tho•• art a God of pardons, gracious, and mercifull, long s••ffering, and of great kindnesse, and forsookest the•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Neh. 9. 17.

Verse 21. as I live] Hebr. and assuredly I live; [unspec 21] and all the earth shall be filled: which is a forme of ••a••h, often used of the Lord, Ezek. 18. 3. and 20. 33. and 5. 11. Whereupon it is said, And thou shalt sweare Iehovah liveth, &c. Ier. 4. 2. and where hee saith in the Prophet, I have sworne by my selfe, Esai. 45. 25. the Apostle expresseth it with these words, I live, saith the Lord, Rom. 14. 11. And the signe of an oa••h, was the lifting up of the hand; so both of them are joyned in Deut. 32. 40. I lift up my hand to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and say, I live for ever: Wherefore the oath 〈◊〉〈◊〉 God here sware, is signified by the lifting up of his hand, in Psal. 106. 26. and Ezek. 20. 15. 〈…〉〈…〉lled with the glorie] that is, all peoples of the earth shall see and acknowledge the powerfull and just administration of the Lord, unto his glorie and honour. Compare Esai. 6. 3. and Psal. 72. 19. where Christs kingdome is prophesied of, with whose glory all the earth is full.

Verse 22. my glorie] under this, all Gods glori∣ous [unspec] works are comprehended; as powers are used for powerfull workes, Matth. 7. 22. and 11. 20. 1. Cor. 12. 10. 2 Cor. 12. 12. signes] that is, miracles, miraculous and significant workes. ten times] hereby may be meant no certaine number, but ma∣ny times, as in Gen. 31. 7. Iob. 19. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. so ten is for ma∣ny, in Levit. 26. 26. It may also be taken properly; for now they had sinned ten times; First, at the red sea, Exod. 14. 11, 12. then in Marah, Exod. 15. 23, 24. againe in the wildernesse of Sin, Exod. 16. 2. then twice about Manna, Ex. 16. 20. 27, 28. after that at Rephidim, Exod. 17. 1, 2, 3. then by the Calfe at Horeb, Ex. 32. at Taberah, Num. 11. 1. and againe, at Kibroth Hattaavah, Num. 11. 4. and now the tenth time by their rebellion in Pharan.

Verse 23. If they shall see] that is, as the Greeke [unspec 23] translateth it, Surely they shall not see. This also is an oath, whereby God sweareth they shall not see, that is, not goe in to enioy the land, as is explained by David, in Psal. 95. 11. I sware in my anger, if they shall enter into my rest; which the Apostle ope∣neth thus; He sware that they should not enter into his rest, Hebr. 3. 18. So, If a signe be given, Marke 8. 12. is more plainly expounded, A signe shall not be given, Matth. 16. 4. which I sware unto] that is, which I sware to give unto your fathers, Deut. 1. 35. this was the land of Canaan, Gen. 12. 5. 7. called the holy land, Zach. 2. 12. the land of Iehovah, Hos. 9. 3. the land of Immanuel, that is, of Christ, Esai. 8. 8. for it was a figure of the heavenly inheritance to bee obtained by Christ, Hebr. 11. 9, 10. therefore the keeping of them out of this land, figured also the excluding of them and of all unbeleevers out of the kingdome of heaven, Heb. 3. 12—19. and 4. 1, 2, 3—11.

Verse 24. spirit in him] or, with him; that is, [unspec 24] he was guided by another spirit than the ten spies. The same is to be understood of Ioshua, as appea∣reth by Num. 32. 12. though not here mentio∣ned. This other spirit, was the spirit of faith, which the Law cannot give, Gal. 3. 2. the spirit of adopti∣on of sonnes, not of bondage to feare againe, Rom. 8. 14, 15. by the guidance of this spirit, Caleb con∣stantly followed the Lord, & obtained the promi∣sed inheritance. he followed me fully] Hebr. he fulfilled after me: so in Deut. 1. 36. and Ios. 14. 8, 9. 14. By this manner of speech, is meant a full and constant following and obedience unto the end; the contrary whereof was in Solomon, of whom it is said, he fulfilled not after the LORD, as did David his father, 1 Kings 11. 6. and in this people of Israel now generally, of whom God saith, they fulfilled not after me, Num. 32. 11. The Greeke translateth it, he followed me; the Chaldee, he fulfil∣led (or accomplished) after my feare. Chazkuni ex∣poundeth it, he hath accomplished the word after me; and compareth it with that phrase in 1 Kings 1. 14. I will come in after thee, and fulfill (that is, confirme) thy words. his seed] in Chaldee, his sonnes. shall possesse it] shall inherit it: thus both the Greeke & Chaldee do interpret it: or, shall cause to inherit it, that is, leave it to their posteritie for an inheritance; as it is written, It shall be thine inheritance, and thy childrens for ever, Ios. 14. 9. The word is also used in a cōtrary meaning, to disinherit, as before in v. 12. & so it may here be trāslated, shal disinherit it, that is,

disinherit and drive out the inhabitants of it, and seize upon it, as in Ios. 8. 7. ye shall disinherit (or seise upon) the citie: and thus it agreeth with Calebs speech, If so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall disinherit them (or drive them out) as the LORD said, Ios. 14. 12. In this latter sense, Sol. Iarchi here expoundeth it, drive it out, that is, they shall drive out the Anakims and people that are there∣in. This promise Moses related unto Caleb, and in the name of the Lord, he sware unto him for the performance of it, Ios. 14. 9.

Verse 25. Now] Hebr. And. dwelt] or, dwel∣leth, [unspec 25] Heb. sitteth in the valley: after in vers. 45. they are said to dwell (or sit) in the mountaine; and sit∣ting, as it is often put for dwelling, so sometime for lying in wait, as in Ios. 8. 9. which may be meant here. Chazkuni expoundeth this place thus; that as the spies were afraid of Amalek. (Num. 13. 29.) so with them the holy blessed (God) made them afraid. And wheras it is here said, in the vally and in v. 45. in that mountaine; he accordeth them thus, that the most of them sate in the valley, & some few of them in the mountaine, & those few warred against them; and therfore it is written, WHICH SATE IN THAT MOVNTAINE, to imply that there were of them which sate in another place; or it may be they dwelt in the vally, and when they heard that the sons of Israel came against them, they went up into the mountaine, and lay in wait for them there: and wee find that sit∣ting sometime, meaneth lying in wait, as it is written (in Psal. 10. 8.) He sitteth in the waiting place of the villages. tomorrow turne yee] The people were now in Kadesh, from whence they sent the spies, Num. 13. 26. Deu. 1. 19. & after this their rebellion, and the slaughter following, they abode in Kadesh many dayes, and then turned and journeyed into the wildernesse, by the way of the red sea, Deut. 1. 46. and 2. 1. Chazkuni here saith, Tomorrow meaneth after this time; for loe they abode in Kadesh many dayes before they began to compasse mount Seir: and it is like that (phrase in Exod. 12. 34.) when thy son shall aske thee tomorrow. journey you] or, journey for you, which some understand, to mean, for your good, see Gen. 12. 1. the way of the red sea] that is, the way towards the red sea; see the notes on Exod. 13. 17. In this red Sea the people had been baptised, 1 Cor. 10. 1 2. Ex. 14. Baptisme was unto repen∣tance, and with confession of sinnes, and into the death of Christ, Mat. 3. 6, 11. Rom. 6. 3. so this sen∣ding them backe into the wildernesse, towards the red sea, was to humble them by repentance, that through faith in Christ they might have entrance into the Kingdome of heaven; otherwise they should perish for ever, as their carkasses perished in this wildernesse.

Verse 27. How long] to wit, shall I pardon, (as in [unspec 27] v. 19. 20.) or, shall I beare with. An unperfect speech, such as men use in passion of mind, when through griefe they utter not all their words; as may be seene in Moses, Exod. 32. 32. Psal. 90. 13. in David, Psal. 6. 4. and sundry the like. which murmure] or, which cause (the people) to murmure, as in verse 36. Thus Sol. Iarchi expoundeth it, re∣ferring the congregation forementioned, to the ten spies; but the Greeke and Chaldee translate, which murmure; so in the sentence following.

Verse 28. I live] it is an oath, as in v. 21. whereby [unspec 28] the Lord sweareth in his anger, that they should not enter into his rest, Psal. 95. 11. Heb. 3. 18. Num. 32. 10, 11. assuredly saith] or, the faithfull saying; see Gen. 22. 16. if I doe not] that is, as the Greeke explaineth it, surely I will doe: see before, on v. 23. spoken in mine eares] in Chaldee, spoken before me: this hath reference to their words, in verse 2. where they wished they might die in the wildernes.

V. 29. your carkasses] the Greek calleth thē Cola, that is, members, which word the Apostle also useth in Heb. 3. 17. for carkasses, or dead bodies. So in Levit. 26. 30. fall] that is, die, being destroyed of the destroyer, 1 Cor. 10. 10. mustered] num∣bred as able men for the war, Num. 1. This sen∣tence was executed upon them, as is after shewed in Num. 26. 64, 65.

Verse 30. I lifted up my hand] that is, sware, as [unspec] the Chaldee expoundeth it, I sware by my word: see Deut. 32. 40. and the notes before on v. 21. and Gen. 14. 22.

Verse 31. your little ones] your children vnder [unspec 31] twentie yeares of age: see verse 3. shall know] in Greeke, shall inherit, rightly explaining the sense: for to know the land, is to enjoy the same. And so Moses relating this promise, saith, they shall possesse the land, Deut. 1. 39.

Verse 32. But as for you, your carkasses] Hebr. [unspec] And your carkasses, you: where the latter you, is for explanation, to exempt their children, you or yours onely.

V. 33. shall feed] or, shall be feeding; so likewise [unspec] the Greeke translateth it: by feed, meaning wander as sheepe for pasture in the wildernesse: the Chal∣dee of Onkelos expoundeth it, tary or abide; but Io∣nathan saith, wander; and Chazkuni explaineth it, feed as sheepe sometimes here and sometimes there, so your sons shall remove hither & thither, till their car∣kasses be consumed. Thus may we understand that in the Prophet, The LORD will feed them as a lambe in a large place, Hos. 4. 16. that is, will let them wander to destruction. So in other languages, wan∣dring is used for feeding; as in Virgil. Bucol. eclog. 2. mille meae Siculis errant in montibus agn••. fortie yeares] implying the time past also, from their com∣ming out of Egypt: for one whole yeare, and part of the second, were now past already, when God gave this sentence against them, Num. 10. 11. beare your whoredomes] that is, beare the punish∣ment of your sins; as the Chaldee, for whoredomes, translateth sins; though this name whoredome, is commonly used for idolatrie, Ier. 3. 9. Ezek. 16. 15. 16, 17, &c. See Exod. 34. 15, 16. Lev. 17. 7.

Verse 34. After] or, According to the number; [unspec] in the Hebrew, In is used for As, or according to, as the Greeke translateth it: see the notes on Lev. 25. 15. a day for a yeare, a day for a yeare] that is, each day for a yeare, or a yeare for every day: so in Eze. 4. 6. where the Prophet in a figure bare the iniquitie of Israel so many dayes as they had sinned yeares. Hereupon in prophesies, dayes are put for yeares, Dan. 9. 24. &c. Rev. 11. 3. yee shall know my

br••••ch] to wit, of promise; or simply, my breaking off: that is, ye shall know and have experience by the punishment which you shall suffer, how great your sinne is in breaking promise, and disanulling your word and covenant with me, and in breaking off from me. Thus my breach may be understood, breach, or breaking with me; or from me; as, he that eateth my bread, Psal. 41. 10. is expounded, hee that eateth bread with me, Ioh. 13. 18. Or, my breach, that is, when I breake promise with you, or breake off from you, ye shall know how great evill is upon you. For when men forsake God, he also forsaketh them, and breaketh his covenant with them, that is, performeth not his promise, which is conditio∣nall, if men continue in his faith, Deut. 31. 16, 17. Zac. 11. 10. Iude v. 5. Rom. 11. 22. The Greek trans∣lateth, ye shal know the wrath (or indignation) of mine anger: the Chaldee, ye shall know that yee have mur∣mured against me. Sol. Iarchi expoundeth it, my breach, in that ye have broken (that is, turned away) your heart from (following) after me. This word is after used by Moses, in Num. 32. 23. Wherefore breake ye the heart, (that is, discourage ye) the sons of Israel from going, &c. & in Num. 30. 5. if her father breake (that is, disallow) her; disanul her promise.

Verse 35. have spoken] the Chaldee explaineth [unspec 35] it, have decreed by my word. If I doe not] that is, surely I will doe, as the Greeke expoundeth it: it is an oath, as before in vers. 23. This sentence decreed, seised upon them, that all this generation died in the Wildernesse, Num. 26. 64, 65. & upon this oc∣casion, Moses made the 90. Psalme, wherein he be∣waileth the shortnesse and miserie of mans life; be∣ing finished now in 70 or 80 yeares; and intrea∣teth God for mercy. And of this and other the like punishments, the Apostle saith, they happened unto them for ensamples; and they are written for our ad∣monition, upon whom the ends of the world are come, 1 Cor. 10. 11. So we see that they could not enter in (to the rest of God) because of unbeleefe: let us stu∣die therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall, after the same example of unbeleefe, Hebr. 3. 19. and 4. 11.

Verse 36. the men] the ten spies. made to [unspec 36] murmure] and murmured themselves; as the He∣brewes signifieth both their owne act, and that which they caused in others. So the Greeke trans∣lateth it, murmured against it, unto (or before) the con∣gregation. against him] against Moses, as in v. 2. or, as the Greeke translateth, against it; for they murmured also against the land, Num. 13. 32. and 14. 3. evill report] or, defamation: in Greeke, evil words; in Chaldee, an evill name. The word evil, is expressed in the next verse: see the notes on Num. 13. 32.

Ver. 37. the plague before Iehovah] that is, by an [unspec] extraordinary plague from the hand of God: either the pestilence fore-threatned, v. 12. or some other d••ath. And before Iehovah, may mean sudden death there by the Sanctuarie, where the glory of Ieho∣vah appeared, v. 10. as it is said of Vzza, there he died before God, 1 Chron. 13. 10. which another Pro∣phet explaineth, there he died by the Arke of God, 2 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 6. 7. The Hebrewes, (as Sol. Iarchi and Tar∣gum Ionathan on this place,) report these mens death to have beene by an inflammation of their tongues, and wormes issuing out of them; as a just recompence, because with their tongues they had sinned.

Ver. 38. lived] that is, remained alive, safe and in [unspec 38] health. So the judge of all the earth did judgment, and would not slay the righteous with the wicked; as Gen. 18. 25. And they survived, not onely the o∣ther spies, but all the rebellious Israelites, and went in and possessed the land of promise, Ios. 14: ••0. and 19. 49. This sheweth the small number of Gods Elect, though many be called to the profession of the faith. The Hebrew Doctors speaking of Ier. 3. 14. where it is written, I will take you one of a citie, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion, doe say, As of six hundred thousand Israelites, onely two entred into the land of promise, to wit, Ioshua and Ca∣leb; so shall it also be in the dayes of Christ. Talmud in Sanhedrin, ch. 11. wherein they beare witnesse a∣gainst themselves, that they fulfilled the in••asu••e of their fathers, in rebelling against Christ, and despising the Gospell of their salvation.

Verse 40. and went vp] that is, girded their wea∣pons [unspec 40] of warre about them, and pressed forward of themselves to goe up, as Moses explaineth it, in Deut. 1. 41. For things which men endevour and are ready to doe, are said to be done by them, as Reuben delivered Ioseph out of his brethrens hand, when he endevoured by exhorting & perswading with them, that he might deliver him, Gen. 37. 21, 22. See also the annotations on Ex. 8. 18. will goe up] and fight, Deut. 1. 41. we have sinned] against Iehovah, Deut. 1. 41. Thus they shewed a kind of repentance and sorrow for their sin, which was not sincere, nor a godly sorrow; for they turned from one evill to another, and overthrew themselves.

Verse 41. Moses said] being first commanded [unspec 41] of the Lord, so to say, Deut. 1. 42. the mouth] that is, as the Greeke translateth, the word of the Lord: and the Chaldee addeth, against the decree of the word of the LORD. But it] or, for it, that is, the thing which ye doe, shall not prosper, that is, not have good successe: in Greeke, It shall not be prospe∣rous unto you. R. Menachem referreth this word It. to Shecinah, the divine Majestie which would not prosper them; and compareth here with a like phrase in Ezek. 1. 13. it went up and downe among the living creatures.

Verse 42. Iehovah is not among you] thus God [unspec 42] bade him say, for I am not among you, Deu. 1. 42. The Chaldee expoundeth it, for Shecinah (the Majestie or presence) of the LORD is not among you. not smit∣ten] in Chaldee, not broken; in Greeke, and ye shall fall before your enemies.

V. 43. from after Iehovah] in Chaldee, from after [unspec 43] the service of the LORD; which the Greeke trans∣lateth, disobeying (or not beleeving) the Lord Chaz∣kuni explaineth it thus, Because the spies made you afraid of the Canaanite & Amalekite that abide there, ye are turned from after the LORD, and are afraid to go into the land, and you trust not in him: therfore he will not be with you, if you transgresse his mouth, to goe to sight, till after 40 yeares. Iehovah will not

be with you] this the Chaldee expoundeth, the Word of the Lord will not be for your holpe.

Verse 44. they loft••ly presumed.] or, tooke upon [unspec 44] them by violence, with a loftie presumptuous minde: in the Chaldee, they dealt wickedly, or, tur∣bulently. The originall word Aphal, (from which Ophel a Tower, or Fort is derived, 2 Chron. 33. 14.) signifieth lifting up, as in Abak. 2. 4. which the Apostle sheweth, to meane a drawing backe from God by unbeleese, Heb. 10. 38, 39. So here in this their presumptuous enterprise, their soules were lifted up in them, but withdrawen from God▪ And Moses explaineth this by two other words, yee pressed forward, Deut. 1. 41. and yee were presumptuous, Deut. 1. 43. The Hebrew Commen∣tary Tanchuma, cōpareth it with another like word which signifieth darknesse, and explaineth it, they went darke (or obscure) for that they went without leau•• from God: and Targum Ionathan, thus; they set forward in the darke, before day dawning▪ to which the old Latine version agreeth, translating it darkned. departed not] in Greeke, moved not. The Arkeremoved not, but at the removall of the cloud, Num. 9. 15, &c. which God not taking up, shewed thereby his dislike of their action. Moses obeying the Lord, would not accompany the pre∣sumptuous sinners: so they went without the Lord, and without the signes of his grace, or company of his ministers.

Verse 45. The Canaanite] that is, the Amorite, [unspec 45] Deut. 5. 44. which was of the posteritie of Canaan, Gen. 10. 15, 16. which dwelt] or, which sate, lay in wait. discomfited them] pursued them as Bees doe, and destroyed them, Deut. 1. 44. Because they re∣belled against God, and vexed his holy Spirit, there∣fore hee was turned to be their enemie, he fought a∣gainst them, Esai. 63. 10. unto Hormah] in Greeke Herme, the name of a place, so called of the event, signifying utter destruction, or Anathema: so after in Num. 21. 3. After this discomfiture, the Israe∣lites returned and wept before the LORD: but hee would not heare their voice, nor give eare unto them; so they abode in Kadesh many dayes, Deut. 1. 45, 46. These things which happened unto them for types, 1 Cor. 10. 11. doe shew the nature of man, of his free-will, and workes without faith, that they procure nothing but wrath from God, and destru∣ction unto men. And as Israel carried themselves under Moses, so did they under Christ: for the Lord Iesus himselfe, & Iohn the Baptist (as Ioshua and Caleb) faithfully testified the truth of Gods promise, and perswaded the people to enter into the Kingdome of God, Mat. 3. 1, 2, 3. and 4. 17. But the Priests, Scribes, and Pharisees (like the unfaith∣full spies) discouraged the people, and would nei∣ther goe themselves into the kingdome of heaven, nor suffer thē that were entring, to goe in, Mat 23. 13. but pretended worldly feares, Iohn 11. 48. Yet after they would seeme to enter by force, going a∣bout to establish their owne righteousnesse, but not submitting themselves unto the righteousnesse of God, Rom. 10. 3. so they pleased not God, but filled up their sinnes alway, and wrath came upon them to the uttermost, 1 Thess. 2. 15, 16.