Annotations.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Here beginneth the two and fiftieth Section or Lecture of the Law: See the notes on Gen. 6. 9. And here Moses set∣teth the state of Israel in order before his death.
OLd] Hebr. sonne of an hundred and twenty [unspec 2] yeeres; of which phrase see Gen. 5. 32. So long while Noe preached to the world, building the Arke, Gen. 6. 3, 14. 1 Pet. 3. 19, 20. Of these 120. yeeres, Moses lived 40. in Pharaohs court in Egypt, Acts 7. 20, 23. forty in the land of Madian, Acts 7. 29, 30. Exod. 7. 7. and 40. yeeres he governed Israel. I can no more goe out] that is, no more administer in my office: see the Anno∣tations on Num. 27. 17. This inability of Moses was not so much for his age, (for his eye was not dim, nor his naturall moisture fled, Deut. 34. 7.) as for the ordinance of God next mentioned. and Iehovah] or, for Iehovah hath said; as is shew∣ed in Num. 20. 12. Deut. 3. 25, 26. And is often in stead of For, as is noted on Gen. 12. 19. Or it may be taken as another reason, why Moses might no longer governe them.
Vers. 3. Ioshua] in Greeke, Iesus, who was sub∣stitute [unspec 3] in Moses place, Num. 27. 16, 17, 18. &c. A figure of our Lord Iesus, who by grace and truth bringeth us into Gods eternall rest, after the en∣ding of Moses Law, Iohn 1. 17. Rom. 10. 4. Thus the people are comforted in respect of their sor∣row for Moses death, by promise of the Lords pre∣sence among them, and Ioshuahs succeeding go∣vernment under him.
Vers. 4. of the Amorite] that is, of the Amo∣rites, [unspec 4] as the Greeke translateth: by whose destru∣ction (before mentioned in Numb. 21. 23. &c. Deut. 2. and 3.) Israel is encouraged against their other enemies. the land] that is, the people of the land.
Vers. 5. commanded you] which was, to root [unspec 5] them out, and let none remaine, Deut. 20. 16, 17.
Vers. 6. Be ye strong] or, Be confirmed, Hold [unspec 6] fast, to wit, your faith in God: in Greeke, Quit you like men; which word Paul useth in 1 Cor. 16. 13. So after, in vers. 7. couragious] or, be hardy, strong, valiant in heart and carriage. This word is applied to the heart in Psal. 27. 14. and armes, in Prov. 31. 17. and signifieth an increase and stedfastnesse, Prov. 24. 5. Ruth 1. 18. The like exhortation is often used, as Ios. 10. 25. 1 Chron. 22. 13. 2 Chron. 32. 7. hee it is] in Chaldee, his Word it is. So in vers. 8. faile thee] or, let thee goe, leave thee to thy selfe, but will hold thee fast. So vers. 8. and Ios. 1. 5. Heb. 13. 5.
Vers. 7. strong and couragious] or, confirmed and strong, as vers. 6. Iosua being to beare the charge [unspec 7] and toile of the people; hath the same exhortation and promise in particular, that was before unto all: and it was in the eyes of all, lest any after Moses death should deny his authority. A like speech Davide made to Salomon, 1 Chron. 28. 20.
Vers. 8. he will be with thee] the Chaldee para∣phraseth, [unspec 8] his Word will be thy helpe.
Vers. 9. this Law] in Greeke, all the words of this [unspec 9] Law in a booke. which bare the Arke] they had the chiefe charge to looke to the Arke, and other holy things; and though the Levites bare it, as ap∣peareth by Num. 3. 31. and 4. 15. and 10. 21. yet sometime the Priests themselves also bare it, as when they passed over Iordan, Ios. 3. 6, 17. when they compassed Iericho, Ios. 6. 12. So after in v. 25. Moses spake to the Levites. the Elders] the Ma∣gistrates: as the Priests by teaching, so the Elders by governing are to look that the Law of the Lord be observed, Mal. 2. 7. Hos. 4. 6. Mich. 3. 1. 2 Chron. 19. 6, 8, 9, 10.
Vers. 10. of seven yeeres] that is, of every se∣venth [unspec 10] yeere, which was a yeere of release, Deu. 15. 1. the solemnity] or, the set time; as the Greeke and Chaldee translate it, the time. release] of debts, Deut. 15. 1, 2, &c. that being freed from worldly cares, they might apply their mindes to Gods Law. A figure of the yeere of grace, and re∣mission of our debts by Christ; whereupon wee should give our selves to holinesse, Luke 4. 18, 19, 21. Rom. 6. 10, 11, 12, 13. Boothes] or Ta∣bernacles, whereof see Lev. 23.
Vers. 11. which he shall chuse] to set his Arke [unspec 11]