THE FIFTH BOOK of MOSES, CALLED DEUTERONOMY THE ARGUMENT Moses, in the two last months of his life, rehearseth what God had done for them, and their frequent murmurings, rebellions, and constant ingratitude. He begs to enter into the land, but is permitted only to see it.

Unto all Israel, to wit, by the heads or elders of the several tribes, or others, who were to communicate these discourses to all the people in several assemblies. In the plain; either. 1. In the vast desert of Arabia. But that is no where called a plain. Or rather, 2.

This is added to show that the reason why the Israelites in so many years were advanced no further from Horeb than to these plains, was not the great distance of the places or length of the way, which was but a journey of eleven days at most, but because of their rebellions, as is mentioned before…

This was but a little before his death.

His palace or mansion-house was at Astaroth, and he was slain at Edrei, Num. 21:33; of both these places, see Gen. 14:5, Josh. 13:31.

Of Horeb, where they continued about a year’s space, Ex. 19:1, Num. 10:11–12.

To the mount of the Amorite, i.e. to the mountainous country where the Amorites dwelt, which is opposed to the plain here following, where others of them dwelt. And this is the first mentioned, because it was in the borders of the land: see below, Deut. 1:19–20.

Before you, Heb. before your faces; it is open to your view, and to your possession; there is no impediment in the way. See Poole “Gen. 13:9”; See Poole “Gen. 34:10”.

At that time, i.e. about that time, to wit, a little before their coming to Horeb, Ex. 18:18.

Your burden; the trouble of ruling and managing so perverse a people. Your strife; either your quarrellings with God; or rather your contentions among yourselves, for the determination whereof the elders were appointed.

Persons of knowledge, wisdom, and experience, men famous, and had in reputation, for ability and integrity; for to such they would more readily submit.

The chief, not in authority, which yet they had not, but in endowments for good government. And officers; inferior officers, that were to attend upon the superior magistrates, and to execute their decrees.

That converseth or dealeth with him. To such God would have justice equally administered as to his own people, partly for the honour of religion, and partly for the interest which every man hath in matters of common right.

Not respect persons, Heb. not know or acknowledge faces, i.e. not give sentence according to the outward qualities of the person as he is poor or rich, your friend or enemy, but purely according to the merits of the cause.

I delivered unto you, and especially unto your judges, all the laws, statues, and judgments revealed unto me by the Lord in Horeb.

The saying pleased me well; for there seemed to be some prudence and good policy in it: but Moses could not see into their hearts, nor from what root this desire grew; but God saw it, and therefore in just judgment complied with their desire, and permitted them to do so for their trial and…

The valley, or, the brook: the word signifies both, for brooks commonly run in valleys. Of Eshcol, i.e. of grapes, so called from the goodly cluster of grapes which they brought from thence, Num. 13:23.

The fruit; grapes, pomegranates, and figs, Num. 13:23. It is a good land; which acknowledgment, coming from its enemies, should have prevailed with you to go in, more than their discouraging words should have beat you off, because the Lord who had given you this land, was unquestionably able to…

Because the Lord hated us, and therefore designed to destroy us.

The people is greater, in number and strength and valour. Up to heaven, i.e. to a great height. A common hyperbole, as Gen. 11:4, Ps. 107:26. The Anakims; the children of Anak or Enak. See Judg. 1:10, Judg. 1:20.

Where you were weak, dispirited, divided, raw, and unexperienced, and in a great measure unarmed, and able to do nothing against your numerous, potent, united enemies, but to stand still and see the salvation of God.

God bare thee, or, carried thee, as a father carries his weak and tender child in his arms, as Isa. 49:22; or as upon eagles’ wings, as it is Ex. 19:4, through difficulties and dangers, gently leading you according as you were able to go, and sustaining you by his power and goodness.

In this matter which God commanded and encouraged you to do, to wit, in going in confidently to possess the land. Or, in this word, whereby God promised to fight for you, and assured you of good success.

The voice of your words, to wit, your murmurings, your unthankful, impatient, distrustful, and rebellious speeches and carriages.

Caleb, under whom Joshua is comprehended, as is manifest from Deut. 1:38, Num. 14:30, though not here expressed, because he was not now to be one of the people, but to be set over them as chief governor. The land; that particular part of the land: compare Josh. 14:9.

For your sakes; upon occasion of your wickedness and perverseness, by which you provoked me to speak unadvisedly, Ps. 106:32–33.

Which standeth before thee, i.e. who is now thy minister and servant, for such are oft described by this phrase, as 1 Kings 1:2, Dan. 1:5, Dan. 1:19.

Had no knowledge between good and evil; a common description of the state of childhood, as Jonah 4:11.

Or, ye offered yourselves, or you began, or you earnestly resolved and attempted.

I am not among you, with my powerful presence and assistance.

As bees do; as bees which being provoked come out of their hives in great numbers, and with great fury pursue and sting their adversary and disturber, Ps. 118:12.

i.e. As you abode in Kadesh many, even forty days, until the spies which you sent returned to give you an account; so you also abode there many days, or a long time after, and were not now permitted to make any further progress towards Canaan.