he had seene the land with his eyes, but might not goe over thither, Deut. 34. The Psalmist saith, Thou wast unto them a God that forgiveth, and taking vengeance on their practises, Psal. 99. 8. Moses the Minister of the Law, though he guided Israel tho∣row the wildernesse, to the borders of the promised land, yet could not bring the people thereinto; but Iesus (or Iosua) his successour, gave them the pos∣session of it; to signifie, that the Law (which wor∣keth wrath, Rom. 4. 15.) and the workes thereof (by which no flesh shall be justified, Gal. 2. 16.) cannot bring us into the kingdom of God, but Iesus Christ (who hath loved us, and given himselfe for us,) gi∣veth us by faith the inheritance of the heavenly kingdome, Rom. 4. 24, 25. and 5. 1, 2, &c. Gal. 2. 16. and 3. 13, 14, &c.
Vers. 13. of Meribah] that is, of Contention, [unspec 13] or Strife; which the Greeke translateth, of Contra∣diction; so called for a memoriall of their sinne, and for a warning to ages following, not to do the like; whereupon it is said by David, Harden not your heart, as in Meribah, Psalm. 95. 8. The same name was given to the former place in Rephidim, Exod. 17. 7. To distinguish betweene them, the Scripture calleth this, Meribah of Kadesh, in the wildernesse of Zin, Deut. 32. 51. contended with Iehovah] in that they contended with Moses, vers. 3. it is ac∣counted as contention against the Lord himselfe, as he told them before, in Exod. 16. 8. The Greeke translateth, reviled before the Lord. he was san∣ctified▪ or, he sanctified himselfe in them. Though Moses and Aaron sanctified him not by faith and o∣bedience, yet was he sanctified among the people, by the worke of his grace, in giving waters for their thirst. Or, he was sanctified in them, that is, in Mo∣ses and Aaron, as Targum Ionathan explaineth it: for by punishing their rebellion, he sanctified him-selfe in them; as it is written, That the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee. O Gog, be∣fore their eyes; where it is understood of punish∣ment; as it followeth, And I will plead against him with postilence, and with bloud, &c. thus will I mag∣nifie my selfe, and sanctifie my selfe, and I will be knowne in the eyes of many nations, Ezek. 38. 16, 22, 23. See also the Annotations on Levit. 10. 3. And thus ••ol. Iarchi expoundeth it, in them, for Mo∣ses and Aaron died because of them; for when the ho∣ly blessed God doth judgement, &c. he sanctifieth him-selfe before his creatures; and so it is said, Fearefull art thou, ô God, out of thy Sanctuaries, Psalm. 68. 36.
Vers. 14. Edom] the Edomites, the posterity of [unspec 14] Esais, who was surnamed Edom, Gen. 25. 30. and 36. 1. This message which Moses sent unto Edom, and all things about it following, were done by the direction and word of God, as appeareth by Deut: 2. 1, 2, 4, &c. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thy brother Israel] so the whole nation is called, because Iakob, whose name was called Israel, Gen. ••2. 28. was naturall brother to Esau: and this title of brotherhood continued long after, as in O 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vers. 10, 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Also the Law saith, Thou shalt not abhorre an Edomite, for he is thy brother. Deut. 23. 7•• 〈…〉〈…〉 travell that hath found us] the wearisome molestation that hath befallen us. See the like phrase in Exod. 18. 8. Nehem. 9. 32.
Vers. 15. into Aegypt] The history hereof is in [unspec 15] Gen. 46. dwelt] Hebr. sitten, that is, continued; in Greeke, sojourned. Many daies] see Exod. 12. 40. Did evill] afflicted with rigorous bon∣dage, and other cruelty: See Exod. 1, &c.
Vers. 16. We cried out] as is recorded in Exod. [unspec 16] 2. 23. an Angell] This was Christ: See Exod. 3. 2. and 14. 19. and 23. 20. with the Annotati∣ons. Some of the Hebrewes understand it of Mo∣ses, because the Prophets are called Angels or Mes∣sengers, as in Iudg. 2. 1. 2 Chron. 36. 15, 16. Hag. 1. 13. in Kadesh a citie] or, by Kadesh, to wit, in the wildernesse lying neere, and having the name of Kadesh the citie, Numb. 33. 36. The Chaldee here and usually nameth it Rekam.
Vers. 17. thorow thy country] because it was the [unspec 17] neerest way: therefore when Edom refused to let them goe thorow, they turned and passed by the way of the wildernesse of Moab, Deut. 2. 8. Iudg. 11. 17, 18. the vineyards] to rob, or make spoile of any mans goods. water of the well] that is, of the wells, or, of any well: the Greeke translateth, of thy well: Meaning either that they would not drinke without paying for it, as in vers. 19. or, that they would drinke of the rivers which were common, not of wells which were private, and digged of men for their owne use. the kings way] that is, the high-way, which is common for all to passe by, vers. 19. So againe in Numb. 21. 22.
Vers. 18. Not passe thorow me] that is, thorow [unspec 18] my country, vers. 17. as the Chaldee explaineth it, thorow my border. See the like phrase in Deut. 2. 30. Rom. 15. 28. left I come] it is a threatning which the Greeke explaineth, otherwise I will come: See the Annotations on Gen. 3. 3. with the sword] the Chaldee expoundeth it, with them that kill with the sword; the Greeke, in warre. It had beene the dutie of Edom, to have met their brother Israel with bread and with water in the way, as God speaketh of the Moabites, Deut. 23. 4. but by this unkindnesse the Lord would have his people to see, how all worldly friends and kindred after the flesh will faile them, yea and oppose them, that their hope and strength may be in him alone, Mat. 10. 21, 22.
Vers. 19. the high way] or causey; that which be∣fore [unspec 19] was called the Kings way, vers. 17. the Greeke here translateth it, the mountaine. the price] Hebr. the sale; which both Greeke and Chaldee translate, the price. This was so commanded of God, Ye shall buy meat of them for money, that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 may eat: and ye shall also buy water of them for mo∣ney, that yee may drinke. For Iehovah thy God hath blessed thee in all the worke of thine hand, Deut. 2. 6, 7. without doing anything else Hebr. with∣out a word, that is, without any thing; which the Chaldee explaineth, any evill thing (or ward.)
Vers. 20. with much people] Hebr. with an hea∣vie people; which the Chaldee expoundeth, a great army. The Scripture confirmeth this; as that which in 1 King. 3. 9. is written an heavie (or 〈◊〉〈◊〉, people, is in 2 Chro. 1. 10. expounded a great 〈◊〉〈◊〉. This comming out was to resist Israel by force an••