“And he brought out of him a merciful man, which found favour in the sight of all flesh, even Moses, beloved of God and men, whose memorial is blessed.”
Men. Pharao, Jethro, and the whole nation of the Hebrews, whom he governed as a father, being the mildest of men, Numbers xii. 23.[3.?] His life was a continued miracle, and he was honoured more than any prophet, (ibid. vi.[Numbers xii. 7.?], and Acts vii.; Calmet) seeing God’s works more clearly, but not his substance, Exodus xxxiii. (Worthington)
“He made him like to the glorious saints, and magnified him, so that his enemies stood in fear of him.”
Saints, patriarchs or angels, as he saw God face to face. — Enemies. The Egyptians, Amalecites, and all who rebelled against God. — Cease. Removing the scourges which he had inflicted. His serpent devoured those of the magicians, who were confounded before him.
“By his words he caused the wonders to cease, and he made him glorious in the sight of kings, and gave him a commandment for his people, and shewed him part of his glory.”
Kings. Pharao, Og, &c. — Glory, when he had passed by, Exodus xxxiii. 22.
“He sanctified him in his faithfuless and meekness, and chose him out of all men.”
Meekness, giving him these necessary qualifications to rule a rebellious people, ver. 1.
“He made him to hear his voice, and brought him into the dark cloud, and gave him commandments before his face, even the law of life and knowledge, that he might teach Jacob his covenants, and Israel his judgments.”
Heard. Greek, “made him hear his voice.”
“He exalted Aaron, an holy man like unto him, even his brother, of the tribe of Levi.”
Face, familiarly. — Life, by observing which, the Hebrews might live. Thus the trees of life and of knowledge were a sort of remedy against death and ignorance, Genesis ii. 9. (Calmet)
“An everlasting covenant he made with him and gave him the priesthood among the people; he beautified him with comely ornaments, and clothed him with a robe of glory.”
His. Greek, “holy, like to himself his brother of the,” &c. (Haydock) (Psalm cv. 16.) — He was the interpreter of Moses, and honoured with the high priesthood. Aaron and his posterity were bound to be faithful to the law, ver. 19. (Calmet) — Their priesthood was to last till Christ appeared, a priest forever of the order of Melchisedech.
“And he compassed him with pomegranates, and with many golden bells round about, that as he went there might be a sound, and a noise made that might be heard in the temple, for a memorial to the children of his people;”
Robe. Literally, “stole,” (Haydock) which was a long robe, used in the East by both sexes. — Crowned. Greek, “confirmed” him in his dignity. (Calmet)
“With an holy garment, with gold, and blue silk, and purple, the work of the embroidere, with a breastplate of judgment, and with Urim and Thummim;”
To the. Greek, “enclosing his legs, (Haydock; breeches, Calmet) and the robe hanging down to the feet, (podere) and the garment over the shoulders,” (Haydock, ephod) which met at the breast, where the rational was fixed. See Exodus xxviii. (Calmet) — Many. Greek, “spheres, (Haydock; or pomegranates, Exodus xxviii. 23.; Calmet) with many little bells,” (Haydock) to admonish the people of his coming.
“He set a crown of gold upon the mitre, wherein was engraved Holiness, an ornament of honour, a costly work, the desires of the eyes, goodly and beautiful.”
Man. Beseleel, who made the greatest part. (Calmet) — Greek, “of an embroiderer, with the rational of judgment, and the signs (manifestation. Calmet) of truth. (Haydock) — Thus the Septuagint commonly describe the Urim and Thummim, Exodus xxviii. 6. (Calmet)
“Before him there were none such, neither did ever any stranger put them on, but only his children and his children's children perpetually.”
Tribes. Greek, “sons.” (Haydock) — Their names were engraven on 12 stones.
“Their sacrifices shall be wholly consumed every day twice continually.”
Holiness, or “holy to the Lord,” Exodus xxviii. (Calmet) — Work. Greek, “works very rich.” (Haydock) — This regards all his attire. The high priest only used it in the temple, on grand festivals. (Calmet)
“He gave unto him his commandments, and authority in the statutes of judgments, that he should teach Jacob the testimonies, and inform Israel in his laws.”
His. Complutensian Greek, “their.” (Haydock) — Some of the ordinary priests offered the daily holocausts.
“Strangers conspired together against him, and maligned him in the wilderness, even the men that were of Dathan's and Abiron's side, and the congregation of Core, with fury and wrath.”
Filled. Consecrated, Leviticus viii. 26.
“This the Lord saw, and it displeased him, and in his wrathful indignation were they consumed: he did wonders upon them, to consume them with the fiery flame.”
Testament. It prefigured that of Christ, which lasts for ever, Hebrews vii. (Calmet) — Execute. Greek, “serve him, both by executing the priestly office, and by blessing the people,” &c. (Haydock) — This was one of the high priest’s functions, Numbers vi. 23. The rest might offer sacrifice and incense, except on the day of expiation, (Leviticus xvi.) and on solemn festivals, though the Scripture is silent on the latter head.
“For they eat of the sacrifices of the Lord, which he gave unto him and his seed.”
Law. The most important causes were to be tried before the high priest, who, with his brethren, were the interpreters of the law, Matthew ii. 6.
“Therefore was there a covenant of peace made with him, that he should be the chief of the sanctuary and of his people, and that he and his posterity should have the dignity of the priesthood for ever:”
Fire. Thus consuming 250 men, Numbers xvi. 30.
“God give you wisdom in your heart to judge his people in righteousness, that their good things be not abolished, and that their glory may endure for ever.”
Eat. The skin of holocausts was alone given to the priests.
People. Having only 2,000 cubits round their cities, Numbers xxxv. The priests were thus interested to keep the people to their duty, as their own subsistence depended on the devotion and gifts of the latter. (Calmet) — They had no distinct territory, like the rest of the tribes. (Worthington)
Imitating. Greek, “by shewing a zeal in the fear of the Lord,” Numbers xxv. 11.
That he. Or so he made a covenant with Aaron, that he, &c. (Calmet) — Greek, “and (Grabe puts according to) the covenant made to David….that the king’s son successively should alone inherit, the inheritance of Aaron was for his posterity. May he impart wisdom to your heart,” &c. — He made. Greek, “glory during their age.” (Haydock) — The sacred writer pours forth this prayer for God’s ministers, (Calmet) that their good things and glory may never end, as long as the Jewish dispensation should last. He is equally solicitous for the priesthood as for the sceptre of David. In both the families of Aaron and of David children succeeded to their father’s dignity, and God had made a covenant for that purpose. (Haydock) — David assisted the priests, and greatly advanced God’s service, 1 Paralipomenon xxiii. (Worthington) — His eulogy is given [in] chap. xlvii.; and he is here only mentioned (Calmet) as a comparison. (Haydock)