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1 Israel at Shittim commit whoredome with the daughters of Moab, and idolatry with Baal-Peor. 4 The idolaters are commanded to be slaine. 6 P••i∣nehas killeth Zimri and Cozbi. 10 God therefore giveth him an everlasting Priesthood. 16 The Mi∣dianites are to be vexed for their wiles against Israel.
ANd Israel abode in Shittim, and the [unspec 1] people began to commit whordome with the daughters of Moab. And they called the people unto the sacrifices [unspec 2] of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed themselves downe to their gods.
And Israel was joyned to Baal-Peor, and the [unspec 3] anger of Iehovah was kindled against Israel.
And Iehovah said unto Moses, Take all [unspec 4] the heads of the people, and hang them up before Iehovah, against the Sunne, that the fierce anger of Iehovah may bee turned away from Israel. And Moses said unto [unspec 5] the Iudges of Israel; Slay yee every man his men that were joyned unto Baal-Peor.
And behold, a man of the sonnes of Is∣rael [unspec 6] came, and brought neere unto his bre∣thren a Midianitesse, in the eyes of Moses, and in the eyes of all the congregation of the sonnes of Israel: and they were weeping at the doore of the Tent of the congrega∣tion. And Phinehas the sonne of Eleazar, [unspec 7] the sonne of Aaron the Priest, saw it; and he rose up from amongst the Congregation, and tooke a javelin in his hand. And hee [unspec 8] went in after the man of Israel, into the tent, and thrust both of them thorow, the man of Israel, and the woman, thorow her belly; and the plague was stayed from the sons of Israel.
And those that died in the plague were [unspec 9] foure and twenty thousand.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
And Iehovah spake unto Moses, saying: [unspec 10] [unspec 11] Phinehas the sonne of Eleazar, the sonne of Aaron the Priest, hath turned my wrath away from the sonnes of Israel, whiles hee was zealous with my zeale among them, that I consumed not the sonnes of Israel in my zeale. Therefore say, Behold I give unto [unspec 12] [unspec 13] him my covenant of peace. And there shall be to him, and to his seed after him, the co∣venant of an everlasting Priesthood, because hee was zealous for his God, and made at∣onement for the sonnes of Israel. And [unspec 14] the name of the man of Israel that was smit∣ten, that was smitten with the Midianitesse, was Zimri, the sonne of Salu, a Prince of a fathers house, of the Simeonites. And [unspec 15] the name of the woman the Midianitesse that was smitten, was Cozbi the daughter of Zur; he was an head of nations, of a fathers house of Midian.
And Iehovah spake unto Moses, saying: [unspec 16] [unspec 17] Vex thou the Midianites, and smite yee them. For they vex you with their wiles, [unspec 18] wherwith they have beguiled you in the mat∣ter of Peor, and in the matter of Cozbi, the daughter of a Prince of Midian their sister, which was smitten in the day of the plague, for Peors sake.
ABode in Shittim] a place in the wildernesse, in [unspec 1] the plaines of Moab, neere Iordan, called A∣bel Shittim, in Num. 33. 48, 49. In this place Israel did sit, or abide, untill after Moses death; and from thence Iosua removed them to Iordan, where they passed over to Gilgal, Ios. 2. 1. and 3. 1. Wherefore God after willed the people to remember the things that befell unto them, from Shittim to Gilgal, that they might know the righteousnesse of the Lord, Mic. 6. 5. And the history now following shew∣eth, how when Balak, the Princes of Moab and Midian, and Balaam their prophet, had plotted and practised with all their art and might, to with∣draw Gods favour and blessing from his people, but prevailed nothing; the prophet gave Balak and the Midianites counsell to put a stumbling-blocke before the Israelites, to see if they could withdraw the people from the love, feare, and o∣bedience of the Lord their God, that Israel sinning, might fall and bring themselves into the curse, (which Balaam could not bring upon them) and so perish. By this wicked counsell they prevailed against many, to the death of 24. thousand Israe∣lites: but the state and body of the Church was by Gods grace still preserved, the wicked being taken away by his judgement. the people] some of the people of Israel; for they that fell to this wic∣kednesse, did all perish; but they that cleaved to the Lord, remained alive, Deut. 4. 3, 4. to commit whoredome] or, to commit fornication; which the Chaldee expoundeth, to erre (or goe astray) after the daughters of Moab; understanding also, the daughters of Midian, as appeareth by vers. 6. 17, 18. This evill they fell into, by the wicked counsell and doctrine of Balaam, who taught Ba∣lak to cast a stumbling-blocke before the sonnes of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to Idols, and to com∣mit fornication, Revel. 2. 14. So Moses likewise saith, Behold these (women) caused the sonnes of Is∣rael, through the word of Balaam to commit traspasse against Iehovah in the matter of Peor, Num. 31. 16. That hypocrite who had so often blessed Israel, and pronounced those accursed which cursed them, who had heard and uttered the oracles of God, had his eyes opened, had escaped the sword of the Angell, &c. to the end that he should not speake or doe any thing but what the Lord comman∣ded: yet after all this, hee was the authour of this mischiefe; that it might appeare how evill men and seducers wax worse and worse, decei〈…〉〈…〉g, and being deceived, 2 Tim. 3. 13. and t〈…〉〈…〉 me•• might beware of false prophets, which come in
sheepes cloathing, but inwardly are ravening wolves, Matth. 7. 15.
Vers. 2. they called] that is, the daughters of [unspec 2] Moab called, or invited. Thus the intended warre of Moab against Israel was turned to a pretended peace, and feigned amitie, alluring the people by fleshly baits, to defile their bodies and soules with whoredome and idolatry. By the women of Moab, and of other strange peoples, Solomon the wise was also drawne into sinne, 1 King. 11. 1, 4. sacrifices of their gods] or, of their god; in Greeke and Chaldee, of their idols: meaning of Baal-Peor: whereof David speaketh thus, They were joyned unto Baal-Peor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead, Ps. 106. 28. By the dead, meaning Idols, unto which the Scriptures doe oppose the living and true God, 1. Thess. 1. 9. Ier. 10. 9, 10. did eat] and so communicated with their idolatry; for they which eat of the sacrifices, are partakers of the Altar, 1. Cor. 10. 18. This sinne God in speciall manner had forewarned them of, in Exod. 34. 14, 15. bowed to their gods] in Greeke and Chaldee, to their idols. This people whom God had guided thorow the wildernesse fortie yeares, who had seene Gods workes, and felt his punishments for their owne and their fathers sinnes, were delivered from many enemies round about, and now abiding in Shittim, were ready to enter into the promised land, are here prevented and overthrowne through their owne corruption.
Vers. 3. was joyned] or, was coupled, was yoked: [unspec 3] unto which word the Apostle seemeth to have re∣spect, when he saith, Be yee not unequally yoked to∣gether with unbeleevers, 2 Cor. 6. 14. to Baal-Peor] which the Chaldee expoundeth, to them that served Baal-Peor, that was the Idoll of the Moa∣bites and Midianites, called in Greeke Bel-phegor. Baal is by interpretation a Lord or Patron: by which name it is probable that the heathens called the Sunne, or some starre, as is noted on Lev. 18. 21. Peor, or Phegor, was the name of a mountaine, Numb. 23. 28. and of the Idoll there worshipped, Numb. 25. 17. Ios. 22. 17. And because Baal was a common name to many Idols, and much reveren∣ced of the peoples, through corruption the Israe∣lites called also the LORD, Baal: but he blameth them for it, saying, Thou shalt call me no more Baali, Hos. 2. 16. and in detestation of the name, the Pro∣phets put Bosheth, that is, Shame, in••stead of Baal, that is, Lord: as it is written, They went to Baal Peor, and separated themselves unto that Shame, Hos. 9. 10. and the Greeke Interpreters in 1 King. 18. 25. translate Baal, Shame: yea and the Hebrew Prophets sometime put one for another, as Ierub Baal (who was Gedeon) Iudg. 8. 35. and 9. 1. is cal∣led Ierub-Besheth, 2 Sam. 11. 21. Esh-Baal, 1 Chro. 8. 33. is called Ish-Bosheth, 2 Sam. 2. 10. and Me∣rib Baal, 1 Chron. 8. 34. is Mephi-Bosheth, 2 Sam. 9. 10. Hereupon it is said, Ye set up Altars to that Shame, even Altars to burne incense unto Baal, Ier. ••1. 13. Peor hath the signification of opening the m〈…〉〈…〉th, and was the name of this Idoll, as some thinke of filthinesse and fornication committed to∣gether 〈◊〉〈◊〉 idolatry, (as this history sheweth,) and to be that which in other language was called Pria∣pus. But as Nebo the god of Babylon hath his name of Prophesying, so Peor might likewise be so called of opening the mouth in speech and prophesie; as the Scripture mentioneth the prophets of Baal, 1 King. 18. 22. and of the Prophets that prophe∣sied by Baal, Ier. 2. 8. and 23. 13. the anger of Iehovah] They provoked him to indignation by their actions, and the plague brake in upon them, Psal. 106. 29. Thus Balaam by his counsell brought them in∣to sin, and so under wrath and curse through their owne default; which he could not obtaine of God otherwise against them by any meanes.
Vers. 4. the heads] that is, as the Greeke trans∣lateth, [unspec 4] the captaines of the people, such as were chiefe in the transgression. hang them up] the Greeke translateth it, Make them a publike example: the Chaldee, Iudge & kill him that is worthy to be killed; but Targum Ionathan expoundeth it, crucifie them. The Law after saith, he that is hanged is the curse of God, that is, accursed of God, Deut. 21. 23. so the sinners brought the curse upon them∣selves. before Iehovah] or, for, or, unto Ieho∣vah, to his honour, in doing vengeance on his enemies. Both these phrases are used as one, in 2 Sam. 21. we will hang them up unto Iehovah, v. 6. and they hanged them before ••ehovah, vers. 9. that the fierce anger] or, as the Greeke translateth, and the fierce anger (or heat of the anger) of the Lord shall be turned away. Signifying that the rooting out of sinners turneth away Gods anger from a people: for, to doe justice and judgement, is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice, Prov. 21. 3.
Vers. 5. his men] the men under his govern∣ment, [unspec 5] as they were distributed in Exod. 18. 25. Al∣though the Midianites were the beginners of this mischiefe, yet God first punisheth and purgeth his Church, and after he giveth order to destroy the Midianites, vers. 17. Num. 31. 2. for judgement must begin at the house of God, 1 Pet. 4. 17. Ezek, 9. 6. Compare herewith the judgement inflicted for the golden Calfe, Exod. 32. 27, &c:
Vers. 6. brought neere] this word signifieth a [unspec] bringing to commit fornication, as in Gen. 20. 4. Abimelech had not come neare unto her: See the Notes on Levit. 18. 6. they were weeping] these circumstances shew the sinne to be done with an high hand, in contempt of Moses, of the congrega∣tion, of God himselfe and his iudgements (for which the people now wept:) and so of all religi∣on; and with a purpose to stirre up the people un∣to open rebellion.
Vers. 8. into the tent] The originall word used [unspec] here for a tent, is not the ordinary name, but such as signifieth a cave, or hollow place; and is thought to meane such a tent as was made for fornication: and so it more sheweth the height of his impierie, that erected such a place of wickednesse. her belly] in Chaldee, her bowels; in Greeke, her wo〈…〉〈…〉e (or matrice.) the plague was stayed] or, was re∣strained: this plague, which the Chaldee calleth death, seemeth to be a pestilence which God sent among the people, as the like speech elsewhere sheweth, Numb. 16. 50. 1 Chron. 21. 22. as also
in that David saith, the plague brake in upon them, Psal. 106. 29. Howbeit the word is sometime used for slaughter by the sword, as in 1 Sam. 4. 17.
Vers. 9. 24 thousand] all the men that had fol∣lowed Baal-Peor, the Lord destroyed them from [unspec 9] among his people, Deut. 4. 3. The Apostle spea∣king hereof, saith, Neither let us commit fornicati∣on, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand, 1 Cor. 10. 8. It seemeth that one thousand were slaine by the Iudges, vers. 5. and ••3 thousand by the hand of God, of which latter number the Apostle speaketh: or, one thou∣sand of the chiefe were hanged, and the rest slaine by the sword.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Here the Hebrewes begin the 41 Se∣ction or Lecture of the Law, which they call Phinehas.
Vers. 11. hath turned away] in Greeke, hath [unspec 11] caused my wrath to cease. The fact of Phinehas, who was but a Priests sonne, no ordinary Magi∣strate, and who proceeded not with the malefa∣ctors judicially, but carried with zeale of God, thrust them thorow suddenly, might seeme blame-worthy in the eyes of men, and might procure him much ill will, considering the persons whom he killed, the man being a Prince in Israel, and the woman a Princes daughter of Midian: therefore God here justifieth and rewardeth his work done by the motion of his Spirit. hee was zealous with my zeale] or, he was jealous with my jealousie, for Gods cause, not his owne. The Apostle hath a like speech, I am jealous over you with jealousie of God, that is, with godly jealousie. Zeale or jealousie, (both which are signified by one word in the He∣brew) meaneth both a fervent indignation against the sinners, and a fervent love unto the Lord, shew∣ed in his former act, as Targum Ionathan addeth for explanation, and hee killed the guilty among them. in my zeale] or, in my jealousie; it is the word before used, and applied here to God, as in Exod. 20. 5. and often.
Vers. 12. I give] in Chaldee, I decree. of [unspec 12] peace] understand, my covenant, (the covenant of) peace: so God saith of Levi, my covenant was with him, (the covenant of) life and peace; and I gave them unto him, for the feare where with he feared me, &c. Mal. 2. 5. So in this place Targum Ionathan paraphraseth, Behold I decree unto him my covenant of peace, & I wil make him the messenger of my cove∣nant, and he shall live for ever, to preach the Gospell of redemption in the end of dayes. By which words Phinehas in his covenant was a figure of Christ, who is called the messenger of the covenant, Mal. 3. 1. and hath an everlasting priesthood, after the power of an endlesse life, Heb. 7. 16, 17. and hath both wrought and preached redemption in these latter dayes, Heb. 1. 1, 2, 3.
Vers. 13. of an everlasting priesthood] meaning [unspec 13] untill Christs comming, to whom the Priesthood of Aaron was to give place, Heb. 7. 11. &c. Phine∣has himselfe lived to a great old age, as appeareth by Iudg. 20. 28. his sonnes successively were high Priests till the captivitie of Babylon, 1 Chron. 6. 4. 15. and at the returne out of captivitie, Ezra the great Priest and Scribe was of his line, Ezra 7. 1. 5. And God by his Prophet promiseth, that David shall never want a man to sit upon the throne of the house of Israel: neither shall the Priests the Le∣vites want a man before me, to offer burnt-offerings, and to kindle meat-offerings, and to doe sacrifice con∣tinually, Ier. 33. 17, 18. 21, 22. Both which are ac∣complished in Christ, Luke 1. 32, 33. Heb. 3. 1. and 5. 1.—5. and 8. 1, 2, 3, &c. zealous for his God] or, jealous for his God, that is, for the dishonour done unto his God; as God himselfe is said to be jealous for Ierusalem, when hee was sore displeased with the heathens that afflicted it, Zach. 1. 14, 15. It is good to be zealously affected alwayes in a good thing, Gal. 4. 18. that God sheweth here in rewar∣ding Phinehas zeale, who stood up and executed judgement, and the plague was stayed: and it was counted to him for justice, to generation and genera∣tion for ever, Psal. 106. 30, 31. The Hebrewes in ages following mentioned his glory; as Ben Sirach saith, because he had zeale in the feare of the Lord, and stood up with good courage of heart; when the people were turned backe, and made atone∣ment for Israel, therefore was there a covenant of peace made with him, that he should be the chiefe of the Sanctuary, & of his people; and that he and his po∣steritie should have the dignitie of the Priesthood for ever, Ecclus 45. 23, 24. The Scripture noteth the contrary of Eli (who came of Ithamar the brother of Eleazar) for when his owne sonnes committed whoredome with the women of Israel, that assem∣bled at the doore of the Tabernacle of the congre∣gation, and made themselves vile, hee restrained them not, but honored his sonnes above the Lord: therefore God threatned to cut off his arme; and the arme of his fathers house, that there should not be an old man in his house for ever. And he sware unto the house of Eli, that the iniquitie of Elies house should not be purged with sacrifice, nor offering for e∣ver, 1 Sam. 2. 22. 29, 31. and 3. 13, 14. made atonement] or, made reconciliation, pacified Gods wrath through faith: this word used for atonement by sacrifice, is here applied to the executing of judgement upon the malefactors; whereupon God stayed the plague which had begun upon the congregation. As oftentimes for the sinne of some, God is wroth with the whole congregation, Ios. 7. 1. 12. and 22. 17, 18. so here for the just fact of Phinehas his wrath was turned away, vers. 11. and atonement is made. So the proverbe was fulfilled, The kings wrath is as messengers of death; but a wise man will pacifie it, Prov. 16. 14. Thus David also made atonement by doing justice on Sauis house, 2 Sam. 21. 3. &c.
Vers. 14. smitten] that is, killed, as the Chaldee [unspec 14] explaineth it: so in vers. 15. and 17. Zimri] in Greeke, Zambri, sonne of Salo; the notation of this name agreeth with his end; for Zimri signifi∣eth cutting off, as superfluous boughes are pruned, or cut off from the Vine: Salo signifieth treading under foot; so as a fruitlesse branch he was cut off from the vine of Israel, and trodden down of God and men; as it is written, Thou hast trodden downe
all them that goe astray from thy statutes; for their d〈…〉〈…〉t is falshood; 〈…〉〈…〉 19▪ 1••8. among the Si∣〈…〉〈…〉tes] in Chalde••, of the tribe of Simeon. And being a Prince, and bringing that harlot unto 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉, vers. 6. it is likely that many of that tribe tooke part with him, and perished in the plague aforesaid. For whereas that tribe at the former muster, had 59 thousand and three hundred men of warre among them, Num. 1. 22, 23. they were diminished now after this plague 37. thousand and one hundred, that there remained at the next mu∣ster, but 22 thousand and two hundred men, Num. 26. 1. 14.
Vers. 15. 〈◊〉〈◊〉] in Greeke, Chasbi daughter of [unspec 15] Sour. Cozhi signifieth lying, or falshood; Zur is a Rocke, an head of nations] that is, a governour of peoples; for he was a Prince of Midian, vers. 17. and afterward he it said to be one of the five Kings of Midian, Num. 31, 8. And as Balaam with his wicked counsell and doctrine, is named as a figure of Antichristian seducers, corrupting the Christi∣an Church with fornication and idolatry, Rev. 2. 14. so in this Prince of Midian, and the harlot his daughter, we may behold the type of Antichrist, who by the spirit and doctrine of Balaam hath drawne the Church unto fornication and idolatry, with false gods, and heresies. His false prophets, like the daughters of Moab, allure men unto those abominations: for as the wisedome of God (in Christ▪) sendeth forth her maidens to invite the simple to come and eat of her bread, and drinke of the wine that she hath mingled, Prov. 9. 1.—5. so the foolish woman, (or whore of Babylon, Revel. 17▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 5.) hath also her toll-guests, the spirits of devils▪ working miracles, which goe forth unto the Kings of the earth, &c. Rev. 16. 13, 14. and she cal∣leth passengers, who goe right on their wayes to par∣take of her stollen waters which are sweet, and bread in secret, which is pleasant: and many doe follow her pernicious wayes, yea many strong men have been slaine by her, Pro. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 13.—18. and 7. 26. 2 Pet. 2. 1, 2. The kings also of the earth have committed fornication with her, Rev. 18. 3. & brought her by their lawes unto their brethren & subjects. And as the harlots name was Cozhi, that is, a lie, or falshood, the daughter of Zur, that is, a Rock, a Prince of Mi∣dian of Abrahams degenerate children, Gen. 25. 1, 2. so is the Church of Antichrist false & deceitfull, yet the pretended, daughter of the Rocke, which Christ hath promised to build his Church upon, Matth. 16. 18. though being departed from the true faith of Christ, as the Midianites were from the faith of their father Abraham. For those An∣tichristian idolatries, God sendeth forth his plagues, Rev. 16. But when with the sword of the Spirit, (wch is the word of God, Ephes. 6. 17.) those abominations are cut off, and the authors of them thrust thorow, as in Ziach. 13. 2, 3, the wrath of God which now is kindled against the sinners, shall be turned away. of a fathers house] Sol. Iarchi here noteth from Gen. 25. 4. that Midian had five fathers houses, Ephah, and Epher, and Ha∣noch, and Abida, and Eldaah: and this man was king of one of them.
Vers. 17. Vex the Midianites] or, Distresse, [unspec 17] that is, war against the Mi••••anites; as the Greeke translateth, Vse enmitie against them: Hebr. To vex or To distresse, of which phrase-see the notes on Ewod. 13. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. God who had first punished his owne people for their sinnes, doth now decree venge∣ance against their enemies, which was done by Mo∣ses before his death, Num. 31. 2. For as God faith to the nations, Loe I begin to bring evill on the ci∣tie, upon which my name is called; and should yee be utterly unpunished? ye shall not be unpunished, 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 25. 29. He speaketh this against; the Midianites, ra∣ther than against the Moabites (whom he had for∣bidden Israel to vex or distresse, Deut. 2. 9.) be∣cause they were chiefe in the mischiefe. For though Balaam gave the counsell to the king of Moab, Rev. 2. 14. and the Moabitish women were prostitute al∣so unto whoredome, Num. 25. 1. yet Balak at first did not much regard that counsell, but turned B••∣laam away with shame, Num. 24. 11, 25. but the Midianites retained him, and amongst them hee was slaine, Num. 31. 8. And Cezbi a kings daugh∣ter of Midian was a principall instrument of evill unto Israel, as God sheweth in vers. 18. therefore the Midianites were first in the punishment. smite ye them,] that is, as the Chaldee expoundeth it, kill ye them.
Vers. 18. For they vox you] or, disiresse you, not [unspec 18] with warre, but with wiles and deceit. So God saith of Babylon, Reward her even as shee hath re∣warded you, Rev. 18. 6. The reward of unrighteous workes, is righteous judgement. their wiles] or, their guiles, deceits, crafts. beguiled you] or, dealt wilily and craftily with you; as the Egypti∣ans when they thought to deale wisely for the sup∣pressing of Israel, Exod. 1. 10. are said to deale craf∣tily, Psal. 105. 25. and Iosephs brethren, when they craftily conspired his death, Gen. 37. 18. By this it appeareth, that the amitie of the Midianites was but feigned, and that they plotted the destruction of Israel. matter] Hebr. word of Peor; the ido∣latrie with Baal-Peor, wch Israel was drawne unto, vers. 2, 3. So the matter (or word) of Cozhi, is meant the fornication with her, vers. 6. for Pe∣ors sake] Hebr. for the word of Peor, that is, which plague came on Israel for Peors sake or cause.