Richard Challoner

This Book is called DEUTERONOMY, which signifies a SECOND LAW, because it repeats and inculcates the ordinances formerly given on mount Sinai, with other precepts not expressed before. The Hebrews, from the first words in the book, call it ELLE HADDEBARIM.

Walled up to the sky: A figurative expression, signifying the walls to be very high.

Hardened: That is, in punishment of his past sins he left him to his own stubborn and perverse disposition, which drew him to his ruin. See the note on Ex. 7. 3.

Graven things: Idols, so called by contempt.

Not in bread alone: That is, that God is able to make food of what he pleases for the support of man.

The Dipsas: A serpent whose bite causeth a violent thirst; from whence it has its name, for in Greek dipsa signifies thirst.

Mosera: By mount Hor, for there Aaron died, Num. 20. This and the following verses seem to be inserted by way of parenthesis.

Put the blessing: See Deut. 27. 12, etc. and Josue 8. 33, etc.

That only do thou: They are forbid here to follow the ceremonies of the heathens; or to make any alterations in the divine ordinances.

Presently put him to death: Not by killing him by private authority, but by informing the magistrate, and proceeding by order of justice.

Belial: That is, without yoke. Hence the wicked, who refuse to be subject to the divine law, are called in scripture the children of Belial.

Unclean: See the annotations on Lev. 11.

There shall be no poor: It is not to be understood as a promise, that there should be no poor in Israel, as appears from ver. 11, where we learn that God's people would never be at a loss to find objects for their charity: but it is an ordinance that all should do their best endeavours to prevent any of their brethren from suffering the hardships of poverty and want.

The host of heaven: That is, the stars.

[8] If thou perceive: Here we see what authority God was pleased to give to the church guides of the Old Testament, in deciding, without appeal, all controversies relating to the law; promising that they should not err therein; and surely he has not done less for the church guides of the New Testament.

Thou shalt not take: This was to show them to exercise a certain mercy even to irrational creatures; and by that means to train them up to a horror of cruelty; and to the exercise of humanity and mutual charity one to another.

Battlement: This precaution was necessary, because all their houses had flat tops, and it was usual to walk and to converse together upon them.

Eunuch: By these are meant, in the spiritual sense, such as are barren in good works. Ibid.

Into the church: That is, into the assembly or congregation of Israel, so as to have the privilege of an Israelite, or to be capable of any place or office among the people of God.

No uncleanness: This caution against suffering any filth in the camp, was to teach them to fly the filth of sin, which driveth God away from the soul.