My covenant was with him. Reference to Pentateuch (Numbers 25:10-13 .Deuteronomy 33:8 , Deuteronomy 33:9 , Deuteronomy 33:10 ). App-92 .
I gave them, &c.: I gave this "life" and "peace" to him [Levi] as an awe-inspiring, reverend characteristic; because he stood in awe of Me. There seems to be a distinct reference to Phineas (see the references above). But there seems to be a distinct reference to Levi also (Exodus 32:26-29 ), in the first place, at any rate. Hebrew. mora = that which makes awe felt.
the priest's lips, &c. This was the first duty of the priests, and was more important than their ceremonial duties. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 10:11 .Deuteronomy 17:11 ; Deuteronomy 33:10 ). App-92 .
knowledge : i.e. esp. of the law.
they: i.e. the People; according to Deuteronomy 17:9-11 .
Modern critics pronounce this as being "a difficult and certainly corrupt passage"; but it is only elliptical.
make one? = make [of twain] one flesh? Ref to Pentateuch (Genesis 2:24 ). App-92 .
Yet had He, &c. And therefore could have made more than one wife for Adam.
spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .
And wherefore one? And what [did] that one [Abraham] who [was] seeking a seed of (or from) God? Hebrew. zera ' (as in Genesis 21:12 ; see note there). The logical Ellipsis ' must be further supplied: "Was Abraham faithless to Sarah and did he ill-treat her when he took an additional wife? How mach more ought ye to be faithful to your wives? "
one. Refers to Abraham. See Isaiah 51:2 .Ezekiel 33:24 . Supply the verb "do", as in Ecclesiastes 2:12 , and as in Judges 18:8 , from Mal 2:18 .
Verse 1
priests. .
this commandment. As to reformation.
Verse 2
If ye will not hear. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 26:14 .Deuteronomy 28:15; Deuteronomy 28:15 ). App-92 .
My name. See note on Psalms 20:1 .
the LORD of hosts. See note on Malachi 1:4 .
saith = hath said,
send a curse = send the curse. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 28:20 ). App-92 .
curse your blessings. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 28:2 ).
Verse 3
Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos App-6 .
corrupt = rebuke; as in Malachi 3:11 .Psalms 106:9 . Isaiah 17:13 . Hebrew gaar. Occurs fourteen times. Always rendered rebuke" except here, and Jeremiah 29:27 ("reproved").
dung = refuse; always sacrificial. Occurs seven times.
feasts . Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , for the sacrifices offered at the feasts.
it : i.e. the refuse.
Verse 4
be = contiuue.
Verse 5
My covenant was with him. Reference to Pentateuch (Numbers 25:10-13 .Deuteronomy 33:8 , Deuteronomy 33:9 , Deuteronomy 33:10 ). App-92 .
I gave them, &c.: I gave this "life" and "peace" to him [Levi] as an awe-inspiring, reverend characteristic; because he stood in awe of Me. There seems to be a distinct reference to Phineas (see the references above). But there seems to be a distinct reference to Levi also (Exodus 32:26-29 ), in the first place, at any rate. Hebrew. mora = that which makes awe felt.
was afraid before = abased himself.
Verse 6
in his mouth: i.e. for teaching.
and iniquity. Hebrew. 'aval. App-44 .
from iniquity , Hebrew ' avah. App-44 .
Verse 7
the priest's lips, &c. This was the first duty of the priests, and was more important than their ceremonial duties. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 10:11 .Deuteronomy 17:11 ; Deuteronomy 33:10 ). App-92 .
knowledge : i.e. esp. of the law.
they: i.e. the People; according to Deuteronomy 17:9-11 .
Verse 8
corrupted = made void.
Verse 9
People = peoples: i.e. the tribes.
according as = because, or, in so far as.
been partial = had respect of persons. Compare James 2:4 .
in = in [administering) the law.
Verse 10
Have we not all. created us? = [Ye say] Have we not, &c. as in Malachi 2:14 Figure of speech Paroemia . See John 8:33 Joh 39:41 &c.
GOD. Hebrew. El .
treacherously : or, faithlessly. Used of faithlessness to the marriage bond.
every man. Hebrew. ish . App-14 .
holiness = Holy Place, or Sanctuary.
which : i.e. the Sanctuary.
strange = foreign: i.e. a woman temple-worshipper of a foreign god.
Verse 12
man. Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .
the master and the scholar = wakener and answerer. Referring to the Temple watchers (Psalms 134:1 ).
tabernacles = tents.
offereth = bringeth near. Hebrew. nagash, as in Malachi 1:7 , Malachi 1:8 , Malachi 1:11 ; Malachi 3:3 . App-43 .
offering = a meal-offering. Hebrew. minchah. App-43 .
Verse 13
tears . . . weeping . . . crying out : i.e. of the wronged wives and children.
Verse 14
Wherefore? Supply the Ellipsis: "Wherefore [doth He not accept it]? "
companion = consort, or mate.
Verse 15
Modern critics pronounce this as being "a difficult and certainly corrupt passage"; but it is only elliptical.
make one? = make [of twain] one flesh? Ref to Pentateuch (Genesis 2:24 ). App-92 .
Yet had He, &c. And therefore could have made more than one wife for Adam.
spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .
And wherefore one? And what [did] that one [Abraham] who [was] seeking a seed of (or from) God? Hebrew. zera ' (as in Genesis 21:12 ; see note there). The logical Ellipsis ' must be further supplied: "Was Abraham faithless to Sarah and did he ill-treat her when he took an additional wife? How mach more ought ye to be faithful to your wives? "
one. Refers to Abraham. See Isaiah 51:2 .Ezekiel 33:24 . Supply the verb "do", as in Ecclesiastes 2:12 , and as in Judges 18:8 , from Mal 2:18 .
take heed = be watchful over.
your = your own.
Verse 16
For, &c. = For [as] hating putting away, hath Jehovah, Israel's God, spoken; and [as hating him that] hath carried violence concealed in his clothing, hath Jehovah Sabaioth spoken, therefore, &c.
God = Heh. Elohim . App-4 .
saith = hath said.
that He hateth, &c. = I hate.
putting away = divorce. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 24:1 ).
with his garment. Compare Pas. Mal 73:6 ; Psalms 109:18 , Psalms 109:29 Proverbs 28:13 , Isaiah 30:1 .
Verse 17
say = have said.
Every one, &c. Some codices read "All who do wrong are", &c.
evil = violence. Hebrew. ra ' a. App-44 .