Exodus 23

Exodus 23:1

raise = utter, or take up. Same as Exodus 20:7.

the wicked = a wicked one. Hebrew. rash ’ a. App-44.

Exodus 23:2

evil-injury. Hebrew. r’a ’ a. See App-44.

speak = testify.

decline = “turn away [and follow]”. Figure of speech Ellipsis (App-6. a).

Exodus 23:3

countenance = prefer, or favour.

Exodus 23:4

ox or his ass. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Species), App-6, put for any kind of beast of burden.

Exodus 23:5

help. Hebrew. Homonym. ’azab two words (1) ’azab = to leave, or forsake. (2) ’azab = to help, or restore (hence strengthen, or fortify). No. 1 in Genesis 2:24; Genesis 39:6. Nehemiah 5:10. Psalms 49:10. Malachi 4. But here it should be No. 2 (as in Nehemiah 3:8. Deuteronomy 32:36. 1 Kings 14:10. 2 Kings 14:26. Jeremiah 49:25).

surely help with him. Figure of speech Polyptoton (App-6), “helping shalt help him”, or, supplying the Ellipsis, “surely help him [to unload]”.

Exodus 23:7

wicked = a wicked one. Hebrew. rash ’ a. App-44.

Exodus 23:8

blindeth . . . perverteth: i.e. causeth these acts, or sins. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Effect), App-6.

wise. Hebrew seeing the most clear-sighted.

Exodus 23:9

heart = soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13.

Exodus 23:10

fruits. Hebrew harvest.

Exodus 23:11

and. Some codices, with Samaritan Pentateuch and Septuagint, have this in text; it need not, therefore, be in italics.

Exodus 23:12

refreshed. Hebrew verbal form of nephesh (soul) = quickened, have new life put in, renewed, or revived.

Exodus 23:13

be circumspect = take heed.

make no mention, &c. A command often disobeyed, especially in house of Saul. Compare “Baal”, 1 Chronicles 8:33; 1 Chronicles 9:39; 1 Chronicles 12:5; 1 Chronicles 14:7; 1 Chronicles 27:28. Hence the importance of the prophecy as to the future in Hosea 2:16, Hosea 2:17.

Exodus 23:14

Three times. No. of Divine perfection. App-10.

Exodus 23:15

as = according as.

month Abib. See App-51.

appear before Me. This is the current Hebrew text: but this, and ten other passages were altered by the Sopherim (only in the pointing). App-33. The primitive text read (and ought to be) “see My face”. They did not know that “face” was used by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Part), App-6, for the person “Me”, and they thought it too anthropomorphitic. See note on Exodus 34:20.

empty = empty-handed.

Exodus 23:17

before = Hebrew “before the face of”.

THE Lord God = Hebrew. ha-’adon Jehovah. See App-4.

Exodus 23:18

offer. Hebrew “slay”, requiring the supply of the Ellipsis, ii. d (App-8), “slay [and pour out]”. See App-43.

sacrifice. Hebrew “feast”, put by Metonymy (of Adjunct’ for “festal sacrifice” (App-6).

Exodus 23:19

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.

mother’s: i.e. in the milk of its dam. Repeated, Exodus 84:26 and Deuteronomy 14:21. For similar consideration compare Deuteronomy 22:6. Leviticus 22:28.

Exodus 23:20

Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos (App-6) for emphasis. an angel. It is Elohim speaking, therefore, who can it be but Micha-el? Compare Daniel 10:13, Daniel 10:21; Daniel 12:1. Jude 1:9; and see Malachi 3:1; Isaiah 63:9.

Exodus 23:21

transgressions = Hebrew. pasha. App-44. My name. Compare Jeremiah 23:26. Colossians 2:9.

the Hivites. Some codices, with Samaritan Pentateuch, Targum of Onkelos, and one early printed edition, read “and the Hivites”.

them = the six nations. See App-10.

Exodus 23:24

images = sacred pillars or statues. Exodus 24:4; Exodus 34:13. See note on Ex. 26.

Exodus 23:25

bread, and thy water. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Species), App-6, put for all kinds of food and drink.

Exodus 23:27

My fear = a terror of me.

Exodus 23:28

hornets. Compare Deuteronomy 7:20. Joshua 24:12.

Exodus 23:31

sea of the Philistines = the Mediterranean or “Great Sea”.

from the desert = the desert of Shur.

the river = the Euphrates.

the inhabitants. Some codices, with The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel and one early printed edition, read “all the inhabitants”.

Exodus 23:33

sin. Hebrew. chat’a. See App-44.