Patrick, Ken., Ged.-Devoted to destruc tion. זיי Rosen.-2 spa, Internecioni derotas delebo urbes eorum. Id enim comBp. Patrick.-Utterly devoted them to de- prehendit verbum, cf. ad Lev. xxvii. struction, according to their vow. For they 29. Ejusmodi devotionis exemplum habedid not now actually destroy them, they re-mus in urbe Jericho, Jos. vi. 17, sqq. 3. maining when Joshua came to Canaan, who can, Devoverunt eos urbesexecuted this cherem, or curse, upon them que eorum, i.e., everterunt Israelitæ eorum (ch. xii. 14), which, if it had been executed urbes, quas nempe eo tempore capere potenow, they must have entered into the land rant, non omnes. Nam Josua demum Aradi of Canaan at this time; from whence we regem cepit Jos. xii. 14, aliique reliquas cannot imagine they would have returned, tractus meridiani urbes expugnarunt et deto march further about before they got into leverunt, vid. Jud. i. 16, 17. Si enim omnes it; but have gone on to prosecute their meridiani tractus urbes occupare potuissent victory, by subduing the country, as they Israelitæ, statim essent Cananæam ingressi. had begun. Sed tunc temporis pauculas tantum urbes Pool. They utterly destroyed them: casque solitudinibus vicinas invaserunt, nec when? Answ. Either, 1. Some time after ultra penetrarunt. Nomen, anathema this, under Joshua, who subdued, among significat, eversionem illatam funditus. others, the king of Arad, Josh. xii. 14. And so this is mentioned here by anticipation [so Ver. 4. וַיִּסְעוּ מֵהָר הָהָר דֶּרֶךְ יַם־סוּף Bp. Horsley, that the vow being now made לִסְבַּב אֶת־אֶרֶץ אֱדוֹם וַתִּקְצַר נֶפֶשׁ הָעָם and mentioned, the effect or performance of Au. Ver.4 And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged [or, grieved; Heb., shortened] because of the way. By the way of the Red Sea. it might be recorded, though out of its place ; and so this verse must be supposed to be added by some of the prophets, and inserted καὶ ἀπάραντες ἐξ Ωρ τοῦ ὄρους ὁδὸν ἐπὶ θάinto Moses's history, as some other passages |λασσαν ἐρυθρᾶν περιεκύκλωσαν γῆν Εδώμ. seem to be. Or, 2. At this time; and so Kai dıyofúxyoev ó daòs év tŷ ódŵ. this is not the same Arad with that, Josh. xii. 14, nor this the same Hormah with that there mentioned, but another of the same name, which is most frequent in persons and places in Scripture. And this is the more probable, because that Arad and Hormah, Josh. xii. 14, are two distinct places, and had divers kings, whereas here the same Bp. Horsley.-The route of the Israelites place is called both Arad and Hormah; and from Mount Hor was certainly not towards because that Arad seems to be at some good the Erythræan Sea, but rather in the condistance from this, and more within the trary direction. The prepositionin country, and more northward, as may be influences the word 77, as it were repeated gathered from the other places joined with it, before it. “And they departed from Mount Josh. xii., whereas this Arad was near Edom, Hor, turning out of the road of the Red ver. 4, and in the south, ver. 1. Quest. 1. Sea, to go round the land of Edom." How could this be done in the land of "Turning out of," this I take to be a just Canaan, when Moses neither entered him- use of the preposition. The Israelites self, nor led the people into that land? had come straight from Eziongeber to CaAnsw. Neither Moses nor the whole body of desh; and had they proceeded in the same the people did this exploit, but a select direction, they would have passed through number sent out for this purpose to punish the heart of the territory of the Edomites that king and people; and these, when they to the south of Palestine. This road, leadhad done this work, returned to their breth- ing straight from the ascent of Acrabbim to ren into the wilderness. Quest. 2. Why did Eziongeber, on the Arabian Gulf, is called they not all now go into Canaan, when some the way to the Red Sea. And, in Deut. of them had once entered it, and pursue this ii. 8, it is called the road from Elath and victory? Answ. Because God would not Eziongeber. The Israelites having kept this permit it, there being several works yet to road as far as Mount Hor, turned out of it be done. at that place, the king of Edom not consent ing that they should cross his territory. Their turning out of this road is expressed in the parallel passage, Deut. ii. 8, by the preposition prefixed to T. The soul of the people was much discouraged. So Prof. Lee. καὶ ἀπέστειλε κύριος εἰς τὸν λαὸν τοὺς ὄφεις τοὺς θανατοῦντας, κ.τ.λ. Au. Ver.-6 And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people: and much people of Israel died. Fiery serpents. Bp. Patrick. The word we translate dis- Bp. Patrick.-So most of the Jews transcouraged, signifies two things; to faint, and late this place; taking seraphim for an adto breathe short, through the anguish and jective (as grammarians speak), and conbitterness of one's spirit (Exod. vi. 9). And sequently rightly translated fiery. But there secondly, to be angry at, or at least im- are those who take it to signify a peculiar patient, by reason of some trouble. And so sort of serpents; being added to nechashim it may best be taken in this place (as Bux- (serpents) by way of apposition (as they torfius observes, in Histor. Serp. Enei, speak), and signifying such serpents as the cap. 1), not simply for their being tired, with Greeks call рηστnрes and kavowves, which a tedious, long, and troublesome march; Pliny reckons among the sceleratissimi serbut that accompanied with no small indigna- pentes, "most pernicious serpents (lib. tion and wrath: which did not only burn xxiv. cap. 13). Or, as others will have it, within, but broke out into words of great those called dupádes, because they made impatience, as appears by what follows. great inflammations in men's bodies, and an Whence the Hebrew words kelzar-ruach unquenchable thirst, being also of a flame (short of spirit) signify angry, or hasty, Prov. colour. But the famous Bochartus hath xiv. 29, and in Job xxi. 4, we translate it alleged a great many arguments to prove troubled, and Zech. xi. 8, loathed; where it that they were a sort of serpents called had better been translated, "I was angry hydrus, because in winter they lived in fens with them." Now that which made the and marshes; which being dried up in people thus fret, or faint (if we will have it summer, they were called chersydrus, beso interpreted), was the way wherein they cause then they lived in dry places, and in were now led, which was about the land of the hot season had a most sharp, stinging Edom. For when they were come towards poison, which, as Nicander saith, made such Canaan, in the middle of the fortieth year inflammations as brought upon him that was (at the end of which they were promised to stung by them, "yea pvpía, innumerable enter in and possess it), they are carried griefs. See Hierozoicon, par. ii., lib. iii., back again towards the Red Sea, whither cap. 13, where he shows also they were God had sent their fathers after they had flying serpents, of which the prophet Isaiah brought a false report upon the land (ch. speaks, ch. xix. 29; xxx. 6; and that now xiv. 25). This made them think, perhaps, was a hot season, wherein they were wont to that they should never come to Canaan; or, be most venomous. For Aaron dying the at least, it was tedious to march such a great way about, after they had been kept so long from their inheritance, and were lately in such hopes of it, when Moses demanded a passage into it through the country of Edom. Rosen., Et abbreviata est anima populi, impatiens factus est animus populi, a longanimitate recessit, i.e., longo itinere fessus cœpit destitui animo, non potuit amplius ferre laborem tot itinerum. Solet anima brevis fieri laborantibus et iis, qui spirare vix possunt. LXX, ¿λyouɣnger, pusillanimus fuit. Cf. Jud. xvi. 16; Zach.¦ ix. 8. Ver. 6. first day of this fifth month (which answers to the nineteenth of our July), and they mourning for him thirty days; after which followed their encounter with the Canaanites, and then this murmuring, and this punishment; it must fall out in the latter end of August, when the dog-days were going out (see Vossius De Orig, et Progressu Idolol., lib. iv., cap. 56). Dr. A. Clarke.-Bochart supposes that the hydrus or chersydrus is meant; a serpent that lives in marshy places. See his works, vol. iii., col. 421. It is more likely to have been a serpent of the prester or dipsas kind, as the wilderness through which the Israelites passed did neither afford rivers nor marshes, though Bochart endeavours to 21 prove that there might have been marshes in : that part; but his arguments have very little 12 Thence they removed, and encamped weight. Nor is there need of a water ser- in the valley of Zared. And Jehovah spoke pent as long as the prester or dipsas, which to Moses, Ye are this day to pass by Ar the abound in the deserts of Libya, might have border city of Moab, and to approach the abounded in the deserts of Arabia also. Ammonites trouble not these, nor meddle But very probably the serpents themselves with them: no part of their land will I give were immediately sent by God for the you for an inheritance; for to the children chastisement of this rebellious people. The of Lot I have given it for an inheritance was certainly preternatural; this no [Sam., and one copy of LXX. Comp. Deut. person doubts; and why might not the agent ii. 17—19]. So, that inflicted the disease? cure be 12 Au. Ver.-Valley of Zared. So Rosen. Others.-Brook of Zared. Prof. Lee.-, a species of serpent; it is called flying, probably from the great Rosen. plerique interpp. vertunt distance which it sprung. Possibly the ad torrentem Zared. Sed nulla mentio fit coluber cerastes of Linn., Num. xxi. 7, 9; transitus supra torrentem infra xxxiii. 44— Deut. viii. 15; Is. xiv. 29; xxx. 6. 46, ubi totum iter Israelitarum diligenter Rosen.-Verisimile est, intelligi Cerasten, enarratur. Igitur h. 1. procul dubio qui ita dicitur a tentaculis (κepáσi), quibus vertendum est in valle, cf. ad xiii. 23. caput ejus instructum est. Alio nomine dicitur basiliscus, regulus, quod et significare Ver. 13. possit, quod Arab. sonat nobilitatea jinns navn náŋa jvp? Sựp בַּמִּדְבָּר הַיֹּצֵא מִגְּבָל הָאֱמֹרִי כִּי אַרְנוֹן elarus, nobilis fuit. Hoc reguli nomen ille גְבוּל מוֹאָב בֵּין מוֹאָב וּבֵין הָאֱמֹרִי : serpens adeptus videtur ob tentaculorum Ver. 10. Au. Ver.-10 And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in Oboth. Ged., Booth.-10 And the Israelites marched from Punon, and encamped in Oboth. From Punon.] For so we learn from the more complete journal, chap. xxxiii. 43, where we also find, that they had another encampment not mentioned here, between Hor and Punon, namely, at Zalmona.Geddes. Ver. 11, 12. καὶ ἐκεῖθεν ἀπάραντες παρενέβαλον εἰς τὸ πέραν ̓Αρνῶν ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ τὸ ἐξέχον ἀπὸ τῶν ὁρίων τῶν ̓Αμοῤῥαίων. ἔστι γὰρ ̓Αρνῶν ὅρια Μωάβ ἀναμέσον Μωάβ καὶ ἀναμέσον τοῦ 'Apoppaíov. Au. Ver.-13 From thence they removed, and pitched on the other side of Arnon, which is in the wilderness that cometh out of the coasts of the Amorites: for Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites. Bp. Patrick.-13 Pitched on the other side of Arnon.] The Hebrew word meheber may be translated on this side [so Pool], or on the other side. And some think they were now on this side of the river, and not Au. Ver.-11 And they journeyed from yet gone over it. Nor did they immediately Oboth, and pitched at Ije-abarim [or, heaps come hither from their former station; but of Abarim], in the wilderness which is first to Almon-Diblathaim (ch. xxxiii. 46), before Moab, toward the sunrising. which is also called Beth-Diblathaim in the 12 From thence they removed, and wilderness of Moab, Jer. xlviii. 22, and pitched in the valley of Zared. Diblah, Ezek. vi. 13. And then, passing by Ged., Booth.-11 And they marched Ar, in the confines of Moab, and apfrom Oboth, and encamped at Ijeabarim, proaching to the country of the children in the wilderness which is before Moab, of Ammon, God commanded them not towards the sunrising. And Jehovah spoke to invade the Ammonites, being descendto Moses, Trouble not the Moabites, nor meddle with them: no part of their land will I give for an inheritance; for to the posterity of Lot I have given Ar for an inheritance [Sam., and one copy of LXX. Comp. Deut. ii. 9]. ants from Lot, as well as the Moabites (Deut. ii. 18, 19, 37), but to pass over the river Arnon (Deut. ii. 24), to that side of it which belonged to the Amorites. For this river, at that time, divided the Moabites from the Amorites, as it here follows. Ged.-13 Thence, therefore, they marched | Moses, Gather the people together, and I and encamped on the wilderness-side of the will give them water. Arnon, which floweth along the border of the Amorites: for, &c. Booth.-13 Thence, also, they removed, and encamped on the other side of the Arnon, which floweth in the wilderness, along the border of the Amorites: for the Arnon, &c. Ver. 14-20. 17 Then Israel sang this song, Spring up [Heb., ascend], O well; sing [or, answer] ye unto it: 18 The princes digged the well, the nobles of the people digged it, by the direction of the lawgiver, with their staves. And from the wilderness they went to Mattanah: 19 And from Mattanah to Nahaliel : and from Nahaliel to Bamoth: 20 And from Bamoth in the valley, that is in the country [Heb., field of Moab, to אֶת־וָהֵב בְּסוּפָה וְאֶת־הַנְחָלִים אַרְנוֹן : וְאֶשֶׁר הַנְחָלִים אֲשֶׁר נָטָה לְשֶׁבֶת 15 the top of Pisgah [or, the hill], which looketh toward Jeshimon [or, the wilderness]. Gesen.-, Numb. xxi. 14, only, a 16 וּמִשָּׁם עֶר וְנִשְׁעַן לִגְבוּל מוֹאָב : -doubtful reading, in the very difficult con בְּאֵרָה הִוא הַבְּאֵר אֲשֶׁר אָמַר יְהוָה struction : wherefore it is said in the book לְמשֶׁה אֶרֹף אֶת־הָעָם וְאֶתְּנָה לָהֶם 17 אָז יָשִׁיר יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶת־ The . אֶת וָהֵב בְּסוּפָה,of the wars of Jehovah -most satisfactory explanation is one men מָיִם: tioned by Kimelii, which is, among modern הַשִׁירָה הַזֹּאת עֲלֵי בְאֵר עֲנוּ־לָהּ : 18 בְּאֵר חֲפָרוּהָ שָׂרִים פָּרוּהָ נְדִיבִי authors, especially recommended by Geddes, :,, to give. If a remain separated, 14 8ud Touro Aeyerat ev 3.3te. Triaeuos it is then taken for the proper name of an μάρρους ̓Αρνῶν, 15 Kai Tovs xчμáрpovs ventus, comp., to blow, and, Arabic , dedit, is therefore probably the name given to the place in which this well was situated, and, as Clericus thinks, the same with 2, ib. v. 18. Some MSS. have in one word : but this is manifesty אוהב Au. Ver.-14 Wherefore it is said in the book of the wars of the LORD, What he did in the Red sea [or, Vaheb in Suphah], and in the brooks of Arnon, 15 And at the stream of the brooks that goeth down to the dwelling of Ar, and lieth [Heb., leaneth] upon the border of Moab. 16 And from thence they went to Beer: that is the well whereof the LORD spake unto erroneous. See the Schol. Crit., p. 15, of De S , given as the name of a Dr. A. Clarke.-14 The book of the wars that well-known phrase, From Dan even unto of the Lord.] There are endless conjectures Beersheba. about this book, both among ancients and 17 Spring up, O well, &c.] This is one of moderns. Dr. Lightfoot's opinion is the the most ancient war songs in the world, but most simple, and to me bears the greatest is not easily understood, which is commonly appearance of being the true one. "This the case with all very ancient compositions, book seems to have been some book of re- especially the poetic. membrances and directions, written by Moses 18 The princes digged [so Pool, Patrick, for Joshua's private instruction for the Rosen., Lee] the well-with their staves.] management of the wars after him. See This is not easily understood. Who can Exod. xvii. 14—16. It may be that this suppose that the princes dug this well with was the same book which is called the book their stares? And is there any other idea of Jasher, i. e., the book of the upright, or a conveyed by our translation? The word directory for Joshua, from Moses, what to E, chapharu, which is translated they do and what to expect in his wars; and in digged, should be rendered, they searched this book it seems as if Moses directed out, which is a frequent meaning of the the setting up of archery, see 2 Sam. root; and en, bemishanotham, which we i. 18, and warrants Joshua to command render with their staves, should be translated the sun, and expect its obedience, Josh. on their borders or confines, from the root x. 13." , shaan, to lie along. With these correcWhat he did in the Red Sea, and in the tions the whole song may be read thus : brooks of Arnon.] This clause is impene- Spring up, O well! Answer ye to it. trably obscure. All the versions, all the translators, and all the commentators, have The well, the princes searched{ it out. The nobles of the people have By a decree, upon their own borders. other part of i. e.. Repeat the the song. This is the answer. This was the chorus. This is the whole of the quotation from what is called the book of the wars of the Lord. But see Dr. Kennicott's remarks. Bp. Horsley [following the arrangement of Kennicott].- 14 Jehovah went with him to Suph, And he came to the rivers of Arnon. Even to the branch of the rivers which bendeth towards the seat of Ar, And leaneth upon the border of Moab. "Rivers of Arnon." Rivers, in the plural, because the river was composed of several branches: one of which, taken by itself, is called 8. been puzzled with it. Scarcely any two agree. The original is ans, which our translators render, what he did in the Red Sea, following here the Chaldee Targum; but not satisfied with this version, they have put the most difficult words in English letters in the margin, Vaheb in Suphah. Calmet's conjecture here is ingenious, and is adopted by Houbigant; instead of 2, vaheb, he reads T, zared. Now a 1, zain, may be easily mistaken for a ', vau, and vice versa; and a 7, he, for a 7, resh, if the left limb happened to be a little obliterated, which frequently occurs, not only in MSS., but in printed books; the 2, beth, also might be mistaken for a 7, daleth, if the ruled line on which it stood happened in that place to be a little thicker or blacker than usual. Thus then 2, vaheb, might be easily formed out of 7, zared, mentioned ver. 12, the -" which bendeth," &c. Near Ar, the whole might then be read, They encamped main stream of the river Arnon makes an at the brook Zared, and they came to Suphah, angle with its first direction, which is from and thence to the brook Arnon. Take the north to south, and runs almost due west to passage as we may, it is evidently defective. the Jordan, or the Dead Sea. If Ar was As I judge the whole clause to have been a situate on this lower reach of the river, common proverb in those days, and laheb to somewhat below the angle, the stream might be a proper name, I therefore propose the 'properly be said to bend towards that place: following translation, which I believe to be and it was, I suppose, from this angle westthe best: From Vaheb unto Suph, and unto ward, that it formed the boundary between the streams of Arnon. If we allow it to have the Moabites and the Amorites. becn a proverbial expression, used to point, 18" by the direction of the lawgiver, out extensive distance, then it was similar to with their staves." The . במחקק במשענתם |