“Command the children of Israel, that they bring unto thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamps to burn continually. to cause: Heb. to cause to ascend”
Command. It is probable that this order was given while Beseleel was working at the tabernacle. (Calmet) — The people were to furnish the necessary sacrifices, &c., by the half sicle, Exodus xxx. 13, and by voluntary contributions on the three great festivals, on which no one was to appear empty-handed, Exodus xxiii. 15. Some chose to put their contributions towards the temple in the treasury, Luke xxi. 1. — Oil: Hebrew, “pure oil of the olive beaten, for light to,” &c.
“And thou shalt take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes thereof: two tenth deals shall be in one cake.”
Bake. The family of Caath had to perform this office, 1 Paralipomenon ix. 32, and xxiii. 29. (Menochius) — [Ver. 7.] Incense. Septuagint 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. (Haydock) — The incense was burnt instead of the bread, when fresh loaves were placed there. (Calmet)
“Every sabbath he shall set it in order before the LORD continually, being taken from the children of Israel by an everlasting covenant.”
Of the, &c. The Israelites gave a sufficient maintenance to the ministers of religion, out of which these provided the loaves; as St. Jerome testifies, Malachias i.
“And the son of an Israelitish woman, whose father was an Egyptian , went out among the children of Israel : and this son of the Israelitish woman and a man of Israel strove together in the camp;”
Egyptian. Many of these came out along with the Hebrews, Exodus xii. 38.
“And the Israelitish woman's son blasphemed the name of the LORD, and cursed. And they brought him unto Moses: (and his mother's name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan:)”
The Name. Some Latin copies add, “of God;” but the best omit it, with the Hebrew, &c. This is, however, the meaning. (Calmet) — The son of Salumith being in a rage, cursed that sacred name; (ver. 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., ver. 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; (Haydock) 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; (Deuteronomy 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, Matthew 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. (Calmet)
“Bring forth him that hath cursed without the camp; and let all that heard him lay their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation stone him.”
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. (Tirinus)
“And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Whosoever curseth his God shall bear his sin.”
His God. Hebrew 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. (Calmet)
“And if a man cause a blemish in his neighbour; as he hath done, so shall it be done to him;”
Blemish. Hebrew mum, denotes any thing by which the body is disfigured or hurt. (Menochius)
“Breach for breach, eye for eye, tooth for tooth: as he hath caused a blemish in a man, so shall it be done to him again.”
Breach, or fracture: if he break a bone, the like detriment shall he receive.
“And he that killeth a beast, he shall restore it: and he that killeth a man, he shall be put to death.”
Striketh, so as to kill or render useless, percusserit, (Haydock) ver. 18. — Punished. Septuagint, “slain.” They omit the first part of this verse.
“Ye shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger, as for one of your own country: for I am the LORD your God.”
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. (Calmet)