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Pharaoh sueth

Before CHRIST 1491.

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hand toward heaven; and there was offerings, that we may sacrifice unto
a thick darkness in all the land of the LORD our God.
Egypt three days:

23 They saw not one another,
neither rose any from his place for
e Wisd. 18. 1. three days: but all the children of
Israel had light in their dwellings.
24 ¶ And Pharaoh called unto
Moses, and said, Go ye, serve the
LORD; only let your flocks and your
herds be stayed: let your little ones
also go with you.

+ Heb. inlo our hands.

25 And Moses said, Thou must give us also sacrifices and burnt

22.—there was a thick darkness] This judgment was very extraordinary: nor had any thing similar been ever experienced by this or any other nation. It bore a strict analogy with the sentiments and idolatry of the people who suffered. The Egyptians were a people of great learning; and seem to have been superiour in science to all other nations. But they prostituted these noble gifts and, through an affectation of mystery and refinement, they abused the knowledge afforded them: for, by vailing every thing under a type, they at last lost sight of their original intelligence. They at first looked upon light, and fire, and the great fountain of light, the sun, merely as proper emblems of the true Deity, the God of all purity and brightness. But such was the reverence which they paid to them, that in process of time they forgot the hand by which these things were framed; and looked upon the immediate means and support of life, as the primary efficient cause, to the exclusion of the real Creator. What then could be more reasonable and apposite, than for a people, who had thus abused their intelligence, and prostituted their faculties; who raised to themselves a god of day, their Osiris, and instead of that intellectual light, the wisdom of the Almighty, substituted a created and inanimate element, as a just object of worship: what, I say, could be more apposite, than for a people of this cast, to be doomed to a judicial and temporary darkness? The judgment bore a strict analogy with the crime: and, as it was a just punishment to them, so it was a proper warning to others, not to give way to the like mystery and illusion.

26 Our cattle also shall go with us; there shall not an hoof be left behind; for thereof must we take to serve the LORD our God; and we know not with what we must serve the LORD, until we come thither.

27¶ But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let them go.

28 And Pharaoh said unto him, Get thee from me, take heed to thyself, see my face no more; for in that

Before CHRIST 1491.

hour," the time of his crucifixion, "till the ninth hour," when He expired: emblematical likewise of that mental darkness and destruction, which awaited his murderers. Dr. Hales.

66

23. — neither rose any from his place for three days :] The consternation of the Egyptians is strongly represented by their total inaction: neither rose any from his place for three days," petrified, as they were, with horrour. Dr. Hales.

26.—not an hoof be left behind;] The hoof put for the whole beast: not one animal shall be left. Bp. Patrick.

27. — and he would not let them go.] Thus was this unhappy prince by the obstinacy of his heart carried on, through many great misfortunes to himself and his people, at length to his ruin. He had all along sufficient means of conviction; yet he was resolved not to be convinced. If it be asked, how could a man of common sense and understanding be so wonderfully absurd ?

it may be answered, sense and understanding are not the only requisites to make men judge rightly of even the clearest religious truths. The inspired writer most justly advises, to " take heed of an evil heart of unbelief," Heb. iii. 12. "Out of the heart are the issues of life," Prov. iv. 23. Our passions and affections have a very powerful influence over us; and where they are not carefully managed and governed, it is amazing to see, how the slightest occasions will pass for most weighty and conclusive arguments; and how the brightest truths will be thought to be of little moment, even to persons of the greatest sense and sagacity in other matters, where their interest or their humours do not contradict the truths which are offered to them. Pharaoh's fault was in his heart, and that made him unfortunate in the use of his understanding. The Israelites were numerous and serviceable slaves; and it was a terrible shock and diminution to his wealth and grandeur to dismiss them; and not being able to reconcile his inclinations to the thoughts of parting with them, the vague and ill-grounded learning of the times he lived in, was thought to afford arguments sufficient to take

Nor was this all. As the Egyptians betrayed an undue reverence for the sun and light; so they shewed a like veneration for night and darkness: regarding them as real, sensible, substantial beings; and giving them a creative power. They were therefore very justly condemned to undergo a palpable and coercive darkness; such as prevented all intercourse for three days. In short, they suffered a preternatural deprivation of light, which their luminary Osiris could not remedy; and they were punished with that essential light, which they so foolishly had imagined, and at last found real-off the force of all the miracles, that were offered to inized. Bryant.

23. They saw not one another,] Some of the Roman | writers mention a darkness for a short time so great, that one man could not know another. But of such a darkness as this, which continued to obscure all things for three days, there is no other record in history. It appears to have been caused by God, both to punish the Egyptians, and to relieve the Israelites, who were probably preparing, during these three days, for their departure. Dr. Wells. The same prodigy, but of shorter continuance, attended our Lord's crucifixion, when "there was darkness over all the land from the sixth

duce him to it. It is no hard matter to judge of truth, if we are sincerely disposed to embrace it; "If any man will do God's will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God," John vii. 17. A common capacity, and an ordinary share of understanding, will afford light enough, if evil passions do not make the light that is in us to become darkness: but, if our heart is not duly disposed to embrace the truth, neither may we be persuaded by the greatest arguments and demonstrations that can be offered for it, even though we have uncommon abilities to judge of, and understand the force of what is represented to us. Shuckford.

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Chap. XI. ver. 1. And the Lord said] The Hebrew words should rather be translated, "the Lord had said:" for the interview of Moses with Pharaoh in this chapter must have been antecedent to what occurs at ver. 28, 29, of the preceding chapter. Bp. Patrick.

3.

- the man Moses was very great &c.] This seems to be introduced as a reason why the court durst not meddle with Moses, though he had brought so many plagues upon them; and why the people were willing to grant the Israelites what they desired; namely, because they all highly esteemed him, and held him in great reverence, as a person who had extraordinary power from God. Bp. Patrick.

5.- all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die,] One manifest purpose of Providence in these signs and judgments was to punish the Egyptians by a series of evils; and this on two accounts. In the first place, because they were blest with noble parts and great knowledge, which they prostituted to a shameful degree. And 2dly, because, after their nation had been preserved by one of the Israelitish family, they had, contrary to all right, and in defiance of original stipulation, enslaved the people, to whem they had been so much indebted. And not contented with this, they had proceeded to murder their offspring, and to render the people's bondage intolerable by a wanton exertion of power. It had been told them, that the family of the Israelites collectively were esteemed as God's firstborn, chap. iv. 22: for from that family Christ was to proceed, "who is the firstborn of every creature." Therefore God said to them, "Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn," chap. iv. 23. But they heeded not this admonition. Hence these judgments came upon them; which terminated in the death of the eldest in each family: a just retaliation for their disobedience and cruelty. Bryant.

VOL. I.

Death of the firstborn threatened.

4 And Moses said, Thus saith the LORD, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt:

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c Chap. 12.

5 And all the firstborn in the land 29. of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts.

6 And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there was none like it, nor shall be like it any more.

7 But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that the LORD. doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.

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8 And all these thy servants shall come down unto me, and bow down themselves unto me, saying, Get thee out, and all the people that Heb. that is follow thee: and after that I will go out. And he went out from Pharaoh in a great anger.

9 And the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you;

at thy feel.

+ Heb. heat of anger.

the maidservant that is behind the mill;] The people of the East commonly make use of handmills. They are female slaves, that are generally employed about them. It is extremely laborious, and esteemed the lowest employment in the house. Sir J. Chardin. The grinder usually sits on the floor; and placing the mill on her lap, by means of the handle works the upper stone round with her right hand. Hence we read of the maidservant who is behind the mill. Fragments to Calmet.

6. —there shall be a great cry &c.] The Egyptians of all nations upon earth were most frantick in their grief. When any person died in a family, all the relations and all the friends of the deceased co-operated in a scene of sorrow. And the process was to quit the house; at which time the women with their hair loose, and their bosoms bare, ran wild about the streets. The men likewise, with their apparel equally disordered, kept them company; all shrieking, and howling, and beating themselves as they passed along. This was upon the decease of an individual: but when there was one dead in every family, every house must have been in a great measure vacated, and the streets quite filled with mourning. Hence we may be assured that those violent emotions were general; and at the same time shocking past all imagination. The suddenness of the stroke, and the immediate and universal cries of death at midnight, that particularly awful season, must have filled every soul with horrour. It was therefore very truly said by the Prophet of God, "There shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt; such as there was none like it" (before), "nor shall be like it any more. -"And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt," chap. xii. 30. Bryant. - he went out· in a great anger.] It moved even Moses, the meekest man upon earth, to a just indigM

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The beginning of the year changed.

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EXODUS.

that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.

10 And Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh: and the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go out of his land.

CHAP. XII.

1 The beginning of the year is changed. 3 The passover is instituted. 11 The rite of the passover. 15 Unleavened bread. 29 The firstborn are slain. 31 The Israelites are driven out of the land. 37 They come to Succoth. 43 The ordinance of the pass

over.

The passover instituted.

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3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a || lamb, according || Or, kid. to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:

4 And if the houshold be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb. 5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male + of the first year: ye + Heb. son of shall take it out from the sheep, or

AND the LORD spake unto Mo- from the goats:

ses and Aaron the land of Egypt, saying,

2 This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.

nation, to see Pharaoh remain so stupidly insensible, as not to regard this threatening, which he might well think would be as certainly executed as the preceding. Bp. Patrick.

10. — did all these wonders] The gradual increase of these judgments is remarkable. The first four plagues were loathsome, rather than fatal, to the Egyptians. After that of the flies came the murrain, which chiefly spent its rage upon the cattle. The boils and blains reached both man and beast; though there was still a reserve of life. The hail and locusts extended, in a great measure, even to life itself; the first, by an immediate stroke; and both, in their consequences, by destroying the fruits of the earth. That of darkness added consternation to their minds, and lashes to their conscience. And when all this would not reclaim, at length came the decisive blow: first, the cutting off of the firstborn; and then the drowning of the incorrigible tyrant, and all his host. Stackhouse.

By the infliction of these plagues we are taught, that punishment, and a continuance of judgments and correction, becomes a necessary discipline, while the heart persists in rebellion. Nevertheless, from the tenure of the whole, it is obvious to observe that however severe the chastisements of God in this world may seem, they are ever tempered with mercy, and graciously designed to lead us to repentance: but that, if we repent not, mercy must and will give place to justice, and deliver us up to destruction. For, as Divine justice is seasoned with mercy, so mercy itself is ever perfectly just. Wogan.

Chap. XII. ver. 2. This month] Which in process of time was called Abib, because the corn was then in ear; for Abib signifies an ear of corn: and also, in after ages, Nisan. It answers to part of our March and April. It was now made the first month of the year; that is, of the sacred, not of the civil year. For the seventh month, or Tisri, answering to our September and October, was, even after this time, the first month in the year in some respects. Tisri began the civil year, and was reckoned the first month, not only for civil purposes, but for the sabbatical year, and the jubilee. But Abib was the beginning of the sacred or ecclesiastical year, with respect to the holy days and festivals which God appointed. Bp. Patrick, See note on chap, xiii, 4.

a year.

6 And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in Heb. the evening.

between the two evenings.

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Many of the ceremonial laws of the Hebrews have reference to the idolatrous opinions of the neighbouring nations and their corresponding rites; for they were given in opposition to them: and therefore they derive light from the knowledge of those rites and opinions. The passover was a memorial of the deliverance of the Israelites. But many circumstances of it were in opposition to Egyptian superstitions. Among them, “ a lamb or kid" was not sacrificed, but venerated: A male" was worshipped as a symbol of Hammon; female sacrifices were always preferred: "Eat no part raw," as was usual in solemn festivals: "Not carried forth," as was also usual: "No bone broken," as pulled asunder in enthusiasm: "Not sodden," as in solemn and magical rites: "Roasted with fire," not by the heat of the sun : "To be eaten with its purtenance," the intestines, which were reserved for divination : "No part to remain, but the fragments to be burnt," which were usually kept for charms and superstitious purposes. Dean Spencer. 6. in the evening.] The Hebrew expression is, "Between the two evenings." Among the Jews there was a former and a latter evening. The first began at noon, as soon as the sun began to decline: the second began from sunset. Thus the time between the two evenings," when the passover was slain, was about three o'clock in the afternoon: and this was the very time of the day, when Christ, the true passover, was sacrificed upon the cross. Bps. Patrick and Kidder, Pyle. There is a strong resemblance between the passover as a sacrifice, and the death of Jesus Christ. In the month Abib, the people of Israel were to take, 66 every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house." And if the household were too little for the

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7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat

it.

the passover.

and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD'S passover.

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12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of 8 And they shall eat the flesh in Egypt, both man and beast; and that night, roast with fire, and un-against all the gods of Egypt I Or, princes. leavened bread; and with bitter herbs will execute judgment: I am the they shall eat it. LORD.

9 Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof.

10 And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire.

11 And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand;

lamb, it was to be shared with the neighbouring family. The lamb was to be without blemish; a male of the first year; to be kept till the 14th day of the month, when the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel were to kill it in the evening. And they were to take of the blood; and strike it on the two side posts, and on the upper door post of the houses: so when the Lord should pass through the land of Egypt to smite the Egyptians, and should see the blood, He would not suffer the destroyer to smite his people. Moreover the lamb was to be eaten whole, and care was to be taken "not to break a bone of it." The most superficial observer must instantly see the immediate reference of the Paschal lamb to Him, who is called "the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world," John i. 29. The two sacrifices are strictly analogous. And in the same month, on the same day, and at the same hour, in which the Israelites were ordered to kill the lamb, was Jesus crucified. And, as in all sacrifices it was the blood which made atonement for the soul, Lev. xvii. 11; so it is "the blood of Christ, which cleanseth us from all sin," 1 John i. 7. Christ too was the lamb, of whom we are told, that "not a bone of him was broken," John xix. 33. 36. In this grand sacrifice of Christ all other offerings of sin were for ever closed. Polwhele.

8. unleavened bread;] Partly to put them in mind of their hardships in Egypt; for unleavened bread is heavy and unsavoury: and partly to commemorate their deliverance from thence in such haste, that they had not time to leaven it, ver. 39; Deut. xvi. 3. Bp. Patrick.

with bitter herbs] To put them in mind of their grievous bondage in Egypt, which made "their lives bitter" to them, chap. i. 14. Bp. Patrick. These bitter herbs, according to the Jews, were probably such as lettuce, endive or succory, chervil, and the like. Script. illust.

11. And thus shall ye eat it ;] Like travellers, or persons engaging in some laborious work, as appears from the following particulars. Bp. Patrick.

with your loins girded,] It being usual for travellers so to do in the East, where they wear long and loose garments. Bp. Patrick. All persons in the East, that journey on foot, always gather up their vest, by which they walk more commodiously, thus having the leg and knee unembarrassed. Sir J. Chardin.

· your shoes on your feet,] As necessary for tra

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13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you + to destroy you, + Heb. for a when I smite the land of Egypt.

14 And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.

destruction.

vellers. Either they were without shoes in their state of bondage; or it was their custom to put off their shoes during meals. Bp. Patrick. The latter is still the custom in the East, either to avoid soiling the carpets, on which they sit; or because shoes would be troublesome to persons who sit cross-legged. Sir J. Chardin.

your staff in your hand;] Another characteristick of persons travelling. Bp. Patrick.

ye shall eat it in haste:] After the manner and posture of distressed pilgrims, who were setting out instantly on a long journey, through a dreary wilderness, towards a pleasant land, where their toil and travel was to cease. Dr. Hales. These latter particulars were to be observed only in the first passover celebrated in Egypt, and not in aftertimes. Bps. Patrick and Kidder.

12- against all the gods of Egypt] That is, I will destroy the idols and images of Egypt. Pyle. Or perhaps the beasts are meant, whose firstborn were smitten. Bryant. By "the gods of Egypt" in this place, some interpreters understand, as in the margin, the 'princes" and judges, the great men of the kingdom, upon whom the judgment of God was now executed. Bp. Patrick.

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13.

I will pass over you,] My destroying angel shall 'pass over you." Here is the reason of its being called the Passover. In Hebrew it is called Pesach, which signifies to pass over. Hence the expression of the Paschal lamb. Bp. Patrick, Dr. Wells.

14. ye shall keep it a feast—for ever.] Not only now, but after their arrival in Canaan, till the time of the Messiah, or final period of the ceremonial law and Jewish polity. Bp. Kidder.

This passover was ordained by God to be observed by every Israelite, at the peril of excommunication, at every return of this day of the year; not only because it was to be a standing proof to all future ages of this their deliverance, but also a standing figure or type of a much greater. Bp. Wilson. As the Israelites were instructed to keep the passover in remembrance of their escape from the Egyptian bondage, so are we required to observe the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, in memory of our deliverance from the yoke of sin. And it is remarkable, that both the Jewish and the Christian rite were enjoined in commemoration of events, which had not yet happened, with the same degree of precision as if they had actually taken place. Polwhele.

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15 Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be

cut off from Israel.

16 And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that + Hcb. soul. which every man must eat, that only may be done of you.

a Lev. 23. 5. Numb. 28. 16.

15.

17 And ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever. 18 In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even.

19 Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land.

20 Ye shall eat nothing leavened; in all your habitations shall ye eat unleavened bread.

21 Then Moses called for all

Seven days &c.] Seven days, following the feast of the Passover, were observed as a distinct festival, and called the feast of unleavened bread. Bp. Kidder.

ye shall put away leaven] There would be great inconvenience in putting away all leaven from the houses for several days in some countries; but not so in the East, for there they use no other leaven than dough, kept till it is become sour: so that, if there should be no leaven in all the country for some days, fresh leaven would be produced in a few hours.

Harmer.

that soul shall be cut off] Excommunicated; excluded the privileges and blessings of my people; and shall become liable to severe punishment, which I will either inflict myself, or appoint the magistrates to inflict. Dr. Wells. See the note on Gen. xvii. 14.

16 And in the first day &c.] The first and last days of the feast of unleavened bread were kept holy, (the other five being working days,) because God delivered the people from their bondage on the first, and overthrew Pharaoh in the Red sea on the seventh. Bp. Patrick.

19.- - a stranger,] One of another nation, who had embraced the Jewish religion by receiving circumcision. Bp. Patrick.

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22. hyssop,] This herb is a cathartick, and is used

unleavened bread.

the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover.

b

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| Or, kid.

28.

22 And ye shall take a bunch of b Hebr. 11. hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning.

23 For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.

24 And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever.

25 And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the LORD will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service.

26 And it shall come to pass, e Josh. 4. 6. when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service?

27 That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the LORD's passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped.

as emblematical of purification, Le Clerc. It has its name in the Hebrew from its detersive and purgative qualities. Parkhurst.

23.

and will not suffer the destroyer &c.] In the awful punishments of the Egyptians, we see every element and every class of animated beings subservient to the command of Moses; he gives notice when they shall begin and when they shall cease their operations; he sets them their bounds, beyond which they shall not pass; and while the raging storm and the silent pestilence sweep away thousands on every side, they presume not to touch the chosen race of Israel. The destroying angel selects from each family through the land of Egypt the single victim pointed out; and while with unerring hand he aims at this the shaft of death, he passes over every habitation of Jacob, marked with the sign appointed by the Divine command. Do we not in all this discover the plain operation of that Being, who alone is the God of nature, and the Lord of life; whose will controls every element, and directs every event. Dr. Graves.

26. — when your children shall say unto you, &c.] When children were twelve years old, their parents were bound to bring them to the temple, where, seeing what was done at this festival, they would be apt to inquire into the meaning of it. At every feast also of the Passover the eldest person at the table instructed

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