“If one be found slain in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it, lying in the field, and it be not known who hath slain him:”
This law declareth how horrible a thing murder is, seeing that for one man whole country shall be punished, except remedy be found.
“And the elders of that city shall bring down the heifer unto a rough valley, which is neither eared nor sown, and shall strike off the heifer's neck there in the valley:”
That the blood shed of the innocent beasts in a solitary place, might make them abhor the fact. Or, rough.
“Be merciful, O LORD, unto thy people Israel, whom thou hast redeemed, and lay not innocent blood unto thy people of Israel's charge. And the blood shall be forgiven them. unto thy people of: Heb. in the midst, etc”
This was the prayer, which the Priests made in the audience of the people.
“Then thou shalt bring her home to thine house; and she shall shave her head, and pare her nails; pare: or, suffer to grow: Heb. make, or, dress”
Signifying that her former life must be changed before she could be joined to the people of God.
“And she shall put the raiment of her captivity from off her, and shall remain in thine house, and bewail her father and her mother a full month: and after that thou shalt go in unto her, and be her husband, and she shall be thy wife.”
This only was permitted in the wars, otherwise the Israelites could not marry strangers. As having renounced parents and country.
“If a man have two wives, one beloved, and another hated, and they have born him children, both the beloved and the hated; and if the firstborn son be hers that was hated:”
This declareth that the plurality of wives came of a corrupt affection.
“Then it shall be, when he maketh his sons to inherit that which he hath, that he may not make the son of the beloved firstborn before the son of the hated, which is indeed the firstborn:”
Or, while the son of the hated liveth.
“But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the firstborn, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath: for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his. that: Heb. that is found with him”
As much as to two of the others. Except he be unworthy, as was Reuben Jacob’s son.
“If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them:”
For it is the mother’s duty also to instruct her children.
“And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.”
Which death was also appointed for blasphemers and idolaters: so that to disobey the parents is most horrible.
“His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance. accursed: Heb. the curse of God”
Cross references: : Gal. 3:13 For God’s Law by his death is satisfied, and nature abhorreth cruelty.