*H Command the children of Israel, that they bring unto thee the finest and clearest oil of olives, to furnish the lamps continually,
Ver. 2. Command. It is probable that this order was given while Beseleel was working at the tabernacle. C. — The people were to furnish the necessary sacrifices, &c. by the half sicle, Ex. xxx. 13, and by voluntary contributions on the three great festivals, on which no one was to appear empty-handed, Ex. xxiii. 15. Some chose to put their contributions towards the temple in the treasury, Lu. xxi. 1. — Oil: Heb. "pure oil of the olive beaten, for light to," &c.
*H Thou shalt take also fine flour, and shalt bake twelve loaves thereof, two tenths shall be in every loaf.
Ver. 5. Bake. The family of Caath had to perform this office, 1 Par ix. 32. xxiii. 29. M. — Incense. Sept. add, "salt." Villalpend also places wine on the table. B. iv. 57. — Memorial for the Lord to bless his people, and for them to make their oblations to him as to the living God, from whom all blessings are derived. H. — The incense was burnt instead of the bread, when fresh loaves were placed there. C.
*H Every sabbath they shall be changed before the Lord: being received of the children of Israel by an everlasting covenant.
Ver. 8. Of the, &c. The Israelites gave a sufficient maintenance to the ministers of religion, out of which these provided the loaves; as S. Jerom testifies, Mal. i.
*H And behold there went out the son of a woman of Israel, whom she had of an Egyptian, among the children of Israel: and fell at words in the camp with a man of Israel.
Ver. 10. Egyptian. Many of these came out along with the Hebrews. Exod. xii. 38.
*H And when he had blasphemed the name, and had cursed it, he was brought to Moses. (Now his mother was called Salumith, the daughter of Dabri, of the tribe of Dan.)
Ver. 11. The Name. Some Latin copies add, "of God;" but the best omit it, with the Heb. &c. This is, however, the meaning. C. — The son of Salumith being in a rage, cursed that sacred name; (v. 15,) and, as he perhaps had attempted to vent his fury upon whatever came in his way, God here reiterates the laws against murder, &c. v. 17. The Jews are so much afraid of taking the name of God (Yehovah) in vain, that they have for a long time abstained from pronouncing it at all; (H.) and here they have probably omitted it on purpose. Houbigant. But this seems to border upon superstition, is contrary to the design of God, who revealed that august name, and inserted it very frequently in the holy Bible, and in the very prayer, which the senators have to recite; (Deut. xxi. 8,) and, can any one suppose, that he would not have them pronounce it, even in their solemn devotions? Many of the Rabbins suppose, that blasphemy is not to be punished with death, if any other name of God be used: but others are more reasonable. Our Saviour was not accused by the Jews of transgressing, in this respect, when they condemned him as guilty of blasphemy. Matt. xxvi. 64. The name of God, is often used in the same sense as we use the words majesty, lordship, &c. as being more emphatical, and dignified. C.
*H Saying: Bring forth the blasphemer without the camp: and let them that heard him, put their hands upon his head: and let all the people stone him.
Ver. 14. Head. To testify, that if they witness falsehood, they are willing to suffer the same punishment; and to beg that God would accept this victim, and not afflict all his people. T.
*H And thou shalt speak to the children of Israel: The man that curseth his God, shall bear his sin:
Ver. 15. His God. Heb. Elohaiv. Philo explains this of idols, as if it were unlawful to speak ill of them, lest we should proceed to do so with respect to the true God. But the prophets, and the most holy personages, had no scruple in speaking contemptuously of the pagan divinities. — His sin, and the punishment of it. C.
* Footnote * Exodus 21 : 12
He that striketh a man with a will to kill him, shall be put to death.*H He that giveth a blemish to any of his neighbours: as he hath done, so shall it be done to him:
Ver. 19. Blemish. Heb. mum, denotes any thing by which the body is disfigured or hurt. M.
*H Breach for breach, eye for ere, tooth for tooth, shall he restore. What blemish he gave, the like shall he be compelled to suffer.
Ver. 20. Breach, or fracture: if he break a bone, the like detriment shall he receive.
* Footnote * Exodus 21 : 24
Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,* Footnote * Deuteronomy 19 : 21
Thou shalt not pity him, but shalt require life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.* Footnote * Matthew 5 : 38
You have heard that it hath been said: An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.*H He that striketh a beast, shall render another. He that striketh a man shall be punished.
Ver. 21. Striketh, so as to kill or render useless, percusserit, (H.) v. 18. — Punished. Sept. "slain." They omit the first part of this verse.
*H Let there be equal judgment among you, whether he be a stranger, or a native that offends: because I am the Lord your God.
Ver. 22. Stranger. The Jews improperly restrain this law to those nations only which have embraced their religion. God requires that the judges shall not shew more favour to their countrymen, than to others who may dwell among them. C.