Deuteronomy 23

Deuteronomy 23:1

VVOunded] In one or both of them: for the word is of the singular number. Or, is an Eunuch.

shall not enter] Shall not be accepted, or admitted as one belonging to the Common-weale of Israel, or beare any office in the Church or State of Israel, Levit. 22. 21, 22. Nehem. 13. 1, 2, 3. Isaiah 56:3.

Deuteronomy 23:2

bastard] Some restraine this to a bastard that is an aliene from the Nation of the Israelites; who, though he would embrace the Religion of the Israelites, was not to be admitted to their holy assemblies: howsoever, whether the law be made of aliens or home-borne, it was an admonition of chastitie in regard of the infamy and contempt of such a polluted posterity.

Deuteronomy 23:3

tenth geneation] Inclusively, so that untill the grand-child of the eleventh descent there was no admission of the off-spring of a bastard into the holy Congregation.

for ever] Some read, and for ever, as an aggravation of their rejection, as though that of the bastard, vers. 2. were too little; and therefore to shew the condition of the Ammonite and Moabite more abominable to the Israelites, for ever is added to the exclusion fore-mentioned. Or the meaning may be, that this ordinance against the Moabites to be cast off to the tenth generation was to last for ever, which is thought to be made rather against the men then against the women: for Moabitish wives (if their husbands were Israelites, as it was in the case of Booz and Ruth, Rth 4:10.) had more acceptance among Israelitish women, then a Moabitish husband had among the men of Israel if he had married an Israelitish wife.

Deuteronomy 23:4

met you not] Hereby he condemneth all that further not the children of God in their vocation: not onely they that doe hurt, but they that doe not good to Gods people are displeasing to him, and he will for their omission of observance repay them with vengeance.

Deuteronomy 23:7

thy brother] An Edomite is brother to an Israelite, as Edom, or Esau (for he was called both) was brother to Israel or Jacob.

not abhorre an Egyptian] The reason rendered is, because the Israelites were strangers in their land; though they endured hard bondage there, yet at their first coming they were very kindly entertained, Genesis 47:6. and at their going out of Egypt, Exodus 11:3. & 12. 35, 36. and it was more agreeable to the goodnesse of their Religion, to forget the offences, then the favours of their Land-lords.

Deuteronomy 23:8

third generation] After their first profession of the Israelitish Religion, if their fathers having renounced Idolatry and received Circumcision, their children persist in the profession of the same.

Deuteronomy 23:9

then keepe thee] A Souldier should be a Saint, and precisely abstaine from all sorts of sinne, as a dying sick man, since (carrying his soule in his hand, Judg. 12. 3. 1 Samuel 19:5.) he is in danger of death every step, and consequently of damnation if he die in sinne unrepented of.

Deuteronomy 23:10

out of the campe] That was for the people, but if a Priest were ceremonially uncleane, it was enough for him (as some affirme) to goe out of the Temple or Tabernacle, and Court of either: and if any were unclean before, he was to keep out of the Campe, or Temple, &c. and not to enter untill he were cleansed by washing, vers. 11. See Numb. 19.

Deuteronomy 23:12

whither thou shalt goe] For the necessities of nature.

Deuteronomy 23:13

a paddle upon thy weapon] Or, besides thy weapons, or, among thy weapons. Which, what it was may be known by the use to which it is put in this verse; which sheweth that Gods people should be pure both in soule, and body and by this curiositie concerning bodily defilements, he meant to admonish them to be so much more curious of the cleannesse of the soule, as it is more excellent then the body.

Deuteronomy 23:14

walketh in the midst] Because the Arke, which was the sign of Gods especiall presence, was placed in the midst of the Camps of Israel.

Deuteronomy 23:15

not deliver] This is meant of the Heathen, who fled from their Masters crueltie especially, and embraced true Religion: who were not to be given up to their Masters, untill they had given over their wrath, and were reconciled unto them.

Deuteronomy 23:18

hire of a whore] Hereby is forbidden that any gain of evill things should be applyed to the service of God, Mic. 1. 7. but the Pope takes tribute of whores, and Papists hold the price of whoredome to be base, but not unjust.

or of a dog] Haply because the impudence of lust is compared to that of dogs, wherefore such as were most shamelesse were called Cynickes from dogs: some take it to be the price of some dog of most use, let out for hire to breed others of the same race; or of the price of the first of the litter, which was neither to be offered nor redeemed, as the firstling of an Asse was, Exodus 13:13.

Deuteronomy 23:19

upon usury] See Annot. on Exodus 22:25.

Deuteronomy 23:20

unto a stranger] This was permitted for a time, partly for the hardnesse of their hearts, as bils of divorce; but by a stranger was to be understood one rather of another religion, then of another nation; for if he were a convert to the Israelitish Religion, he was to be accompted as a brother, Levit. 25. 35, 36.

Blesse thee] If thou shew thy charitie to thy brother, God will declare his love towards thee.

Deuteronomy 23:21

sinne in thee] If thou shouldest not pay, or performe what thou hast vowed.

Deuteronomy 23:23

keepe and performe] If the vow be lawfull, and godly.

Deuteronomy 23:24

neighbours vineyard] Orchard, or Olive-yard, being hired to labour in it, or such as occasionally passe by them, or through them, if necessitie urge them, they may take some refreshing; as the Disciples did passing through corn-fields which they sowed not, Matthew 12:1.

put any into thy vessell] To bring home to thy house.