Bible Commentary (1871–1879 Edition)
Moses Smitelh the Rock. KUMBERS XXI. Israd Atkickcd by the Canaanites.
9-13. there was no water for tlie congregation—There was at Kadesh a fountain, En-Mislipat (Genesis U. 7), and at the first encampment of the Israelites there was no want of water. It was then either partially dried up by the heat of the season, or had been exhausted by Ihe demands of so vast a multitude. 6. Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly—Here is a fresh ebullition of the untivmed and discontented spirit of the people. The leaders fled to the precincts of the sanctuary, both as an asylum from the increasing fury of the highlj'-excited rabble, and as their usual refuge in seasons of perplexity and danger, to implore tlie direction and aid of God. 8. take the rod—which had been deposited in tlie tabernacle (ch. 17. 10), the wonder-working rod by which so many miracles had been performed, sometimes called "the rod of God" (Exodus 4. 20), sometimes Moses' (V. 11) or Aaron's rod (Exodus 7. 12). 10. Moses said, Hear now, ye rebels, must we fetch you water oiit of this rock—The conduct of the great leader on this occasion was hasty and passionate (Psalm 106. 33). He had been directed to speak to the rock, but he smo/e manner of his death was arranged in tenderness of love, and to do him honour at the close of his earthly service.
His ascent of the mount was to af Tord him a last look of the camp, and a distant prospect of the promised land. The simple narrative of the solemn and impressive scene implies, though it does not describe, the pious resignation, settled faith, and inward peace of the aged pontiff. 20. Strip Aaron of his garments i. e., his pontifical robes, in token of his resignation. (See Isaiah 22. 20-25.) put them on liis son—as the inauguration into his high office. Having been formerly anointed with the sacred oil, that ceremony was not repeated, or, as some think, it was done on his return to the camp. 38. Aaron died on the top of tlie mount—(See on Deuteronomy 10. 6.) A tomb h.as been erected upon or close by the spot where he was buried. 29. When all the congregation saw that Aaron was dead—Moses and Eleazar were the sole w-itnesses of his departure. According to the established law, the new high priest could not have been present at the funeral of his father without contracting ceremonial defilement. (Leviticus 21. 11.) But that law was dispensed with in the extraordinary circumstances; the people learnt the event not only from the recital of the two witnesses, but from their visible signs of grief and change; and this event betokened the Imperfection of the T<evitical priesthood. (Hebrews 7. 12.) They mourned for Aaron thirty days— the usual period of public and solemn mourning. (See on Deuteronomy 34. 8.)
it twice in his impetuosity, thus endangering the blossoms of the rod, and, instead of speaking to the rocic, he spoke to the people in a fury. 11. the coiigregntioji drnnk, and their beasts—Physically the water aflbrded the same kind of needful refreshment to both. But in a religious point of view, this, which was only a common element to the cattle, was a sacrament to the people
(1 Corintliians 10.3, 4)—it possessed a relative sanctity Imparted to it by its Divine origin and use. 1^. The Lord spa Ice unto Bloses and Aaron, Because ye believe<l me not, &c.—The act of Moses in smiting twice betrayed a doubt, not of the power, but of the will of God to gratify Buoh a rebellious people, and liis exclamation seems to have emanated from a spirit of incredulity akin to Sarai's (Genesis IS. 13). Tliese circumstances indicate tlie influence of unbelief, and there might have been others unrecorded whicli led to so .severe a chastisement. 13. this is the water of Meribah—The word Kadesh is added to it to distiuguisli it from another Meribah (Exodus 17. 7). 14-16. Moses sent messengers to tlie hiitg of Edom The encampment at Kadesli was on the confines of the Edomite territory, through which the Israelites would have liad an easy passage across the Aral)ah by Wady-el Ghuweir, so that they could have continued their course around Moab, and approached Palestine by the east. [Roberts.] The Edomites being the descendants of Esau, and tracing their line of descent from Abraham as their common stf)ck, were recognized by the Israelites as brethren, and a very brotherly message sent to tliem. 17. We will go by the king's highway—probaI)!y M'atlyel-Ghu weir ( UoBEUTd], through whicli ran one of the great lines of road, constructed for commercial caravans, as well as for tlie progress of armies. Tlie engineering necessary
CHAPTER XXI.
Ver. 1-33. Israel Attacked by the Canaanites.
1. King Arad the C'anannite—rather, the Canaanite king of Arad—an ancient town on the southernmost borders of Palestine, not far from Kadesh. A hill called Tell Anid marks the spot, heard that Israel came by the way of file si>ies—in the way or manner of spies, stealtliily. or from spies sent by himself to ascertain the designs and motions of the Israelites. The Septuagiiit and ollicns consider the Heb. word "spies" a proper name, and render it: "Came by the way of Atharim towards Arad." [Kknnicott.] he fought against Israel, and took some of them prisoners—This discomfiture was permitted to teacli tliem to expect the conquest of Canaan not from their own wisdom and valour, but solely from the favour and help of God. (Deuteronomy 9.4; Psalm
44. 3, 4.) a, 3. Israel vowed a vow unto the Lord Maile to feel their own weakness, they Implored the aid of Heaven, and. In anticipation of it, devoted the cities of tliis king to future destruction. The nature and consequence of sucli anathemas are described. (Leviticus 27.; Deuteronomy 13.) This vow of extermination against Arad gave name to the place Hormah (slaughter and destruction), though it was not aceompllslied till after the passage of the .Jordan. Others think Ilormah the name of a town mentioned. (Joshua 12. 14.) *. They Journeyed from mount Hor—On being refused the passage for carrying them over mar.shes or mountains, and the care requisite for protecting them from the shifting Bands, led to their being under the special care of the rc<iuestcd, tliey returned through the Arabah, " the way of I he Red Sea," to Elath, at the head of the eastern gulf of the Red Sea, and thence passed up through the mountains state. Hence the expression, "the king's highway," which is of great antiquity. 19. If I and my cattle drink of thy water, then I will pay for it—From the scarcity of water in the warm climates of the East, the practice of levying a tax for the use of the wells is univia'sal; and the Jealousy of the natives. In guarding the collected treasures of rain Is often so great, that water cannotr be procured for money, ai. Eklom refused to give Israel passage through Ills boixler, &c.—a chiu lisli refusal oliliged them to take another route. (See on chapter 21. I ; IH uteronomy 2.4; .Judges 11. IH; .see also 1 .Samuel 11.47; 2 Samuel S. 14, which describe the retribution that was to the eastern desert, so as to make the circuit of the land of I'Moin. (Ch. 33. 41, 42.) the soul of the people wag much illscouraged because of tlie way—Dlsaiipointnieiit on Ilnding themselves so near the confines of the promised land, without entering it—vexation at the refusal of a passage through Plom, and the absence of any Divine Inti i position in their favour—aliove all, the necessity of a retrograde Journey, by a long and circuitous route tlirougli the worst parts of a sandy desert, and the dread of being iilunged into new and unknown dlfflcultles—all tJlkcn.) !J'J. the children of Israel came unto mount Hor—now Gebel Ilaroun, the most striking and lofty eli'- vation in tlie Selr range, called emphatically (i'. 2S), "the mount." It Is conspicuous by its doubU top. !44-aH. Aaron sliall be gathered unto his people— In accordance with Ills recent doom, he, attired in the high priest's costume, was commanded to ascend that niounlaln and this pr(>diic(Ml a deep depression of sjilrlts. liiit It was followed, as usually, by a gross outburst of murmuring at the scarcity of water, and of expressions of disgust at the manna. .'>. Our soul loathetli this light breod—i. p., bread witlioul substance or nutritious quality. The refutation of this ealuinny appears In the fact, that on the strength of this food they performed for forty years »« many and toils.ime Journeys. I5ut they had been indulgdie. Hut although the time of his death was hastened l>y tlie Divine displeasure as a punlsliineiit for his sins, the