Bible Commentaries
Leviticus 24

Verse 1

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

spake. See note on Leviticus 5:14 .

Verse 2

Command. Only twice, here and in Leviticus 6:9 , is the word "command" used for communicating.

children. Hebrew sons.

the light = the light-bearer or lamp-stand. Compare Exodus 27:20 , Exodus 27:21 .

Verse 3

of. Genitive of relation. = the vail relating to the testimony or ark of the covenant, i.e. the vail that is before it.

tabernacle = tent. Hebrew. 'ohel. App-40 .

Aaron. Some codices, with Samaritan Pentateuch and Targum of Onkelos, add "and his sons", as in Leviticus 24:9 .

statute for ever. See Leviticus 23:14 , and note on Leviticus 3:17 .

Verse 4

candlestick = light-holder as Leviticus 24:2 above, and Genesis 1:14 , &c. The word "pure" here = purified or ceremonially cleansed: i.e. not for common uses.

Verse 5

two. Only one required for the ordinary meal offering (Exodus 29:40 . Numbers 15:4 ; Numbers 28:9 , Numbers 28:13 , &c).

tenth deals. See App-51 .

Verse 6

rows = piles.

row = pile.

pure = purified or ceremonially cleansed. Compare Leviticus 24:4 .

before the LORD: i.e. in the holy place. Hence called "the table of the presence" (Numbers 4:7 ), and the cakes called "the bread of the presence" (Exodus 25:30 ; Exodus 35:13 ; Exodus 39:36 ). The word "shewbread" taken from the Vulgate, and Luther, does not correctly represent the Hebrew name. The use of this word quite hides the Hebrew expression "bread of ordering" (set in order), "the sets of bread", "the table set in order", in 1 Chronicles 9:32 ; 1Ch 23:29 . 2 Chronicles 13:11 .Nehemiah 10:33 ; and the table in 2 Chronicles 29:18 . These Hebrew expressions are based on and derived from this verse.

Verse 7

offering. Hebrew. 'ishsheh. App-43 .

Verse 8

Every sabbath. Hebrew "on the day of the sabbath, on the day of the sabbath", Figure of speech Epizeuxis. App-6 . = on the holy sabbath day. Compare 1 Chronicles 9:32 .

Verse 9

eat it in the holy place. Eight things were thus consumed by the priests. See note on Leviticus 7:9 .

holy. See note on Exodus 3:5 .

Verse 10

a man of Israel. Hebrew a man (' i s h , App-14 .) an Israelite. Jewish tradition says he was a Danite.

strove together. Compare Exodus 2:13 . The Chaldee version says the semi-Egyptian strove to encamp in the tribe of Dan.

Verse 11

blasphemed, &c. Compare Genesis 4:24 . Hence the use of "the name" instead of "Jehovah".

the name , or supply Ellipsis ( App-6 . a) from Leviticus 24:16 . Dan, another sad blot on this tribe.

Verse 14

lay their hands upon. Done only in the case of a blasphemer.

stone him. Nine persons stoned (see App-10 ): The blasphemer, Leviticus 24:14 . The sabbath-breaker, Numbers 15:36 . Achan, Joshua 7:25 . Abimelech, Judges 9:53 . Adoram, 1 Kings 12:18 (2 Chronicles 10:18 ). Naboth, 1 Kings 21:13 . Zec 2 Chronicles 24:21 . Stephen, Acts 7:58 . Paul, Acts 14:19 (2 Corinthians 11:25 ).

Verse 16

bear his sin. Figure of speech Metonymy (of the Cause). App-6 "sin" ( chat'a, App-44 .) being put for its penalty.

Verse 17

any man = the soul (Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 ) of a man. Hebrew. 'adam.

Verse 18

a beast = the soul (Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 ).

beast for beast = soul for soul (Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 ).

Verse 19

as = according as.

Verse 22

manner of law = rule or regulation. Hebrew. mishpat = judgment.