consists of thirty-six chapters, which comprise four principal parts or sections.

PART I. The Census of the Israelites, comprising,

SECT. 1. The enumeration of the twelve tribes, and the marshalling of them into a regular camp; "each tribe by itself under its own captain or chief, distinguished by its own peculiar standard." (Num. i. ii.)

The standards or banners of the tribes are not mentioned by Moses (ii. 2.); but they seem to be pointed out by Rev. iv. 7. with which the tradition of the Jews agrees. The standard of Judah is a lion; of Reuben, a man; of Ephraim, an ox; of Dan, an eagle. This agrees with the vision of the cherubic figures in Ezekiel i. 10.1 SECT. 2. The sacred or ecclesiastical census of the Levites; the designation of them to the sacred office, and the appointment of them to various services in the tabernacle. (iii. iv.) Besides the conveniency which would naturally result from the numeration and marshalling of the tribes, this census would demonstrate to the Israelites (as it does to us), how faithful God had been to the promise made to the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, of multiplying and preserving their posterity. By this, also, they were preserved from all intermixture with their vicious and idolatrous neighbours; each true-born Israelite being obliged and enabled to deliver a clear account of the tribe, and even the family, from which he was descended; which was of still higher and more special importance for preserving the certain and unexceptionable genealogy of Christ the Messiah, who was to be born of this nation, according to original and repeated promise.2

PART II. The Institution of various Legal Ceremonies,—as, SECT. 1. The purification of the camp, by the removal of all unclean persons from it, and the trial of the suspected adulteress by the waters of jealousy. (Num. v.)

SECT. 2. The institution of the Nazareate. (vi.)
SECT. 3. An account of the oblations made to the tabernacle
by the princes or heads of tribes. (vii.)
SECT. 4. The consecration of the Levites. (viii.)
SECT 5. The celebration of the passover. (ix.)

SECT. 6. Regulations concerning the moving or resting of the camp of Israel during their progress. (x.) PART III. The History of their Journey from Mount Sinai to the Land of Moab, comprising an Account of their Eight Murmurings in the Way.

SECT. 1. The first Murmuring of the People on account of the length of the way; which was punished by fire at Taberah. (xi. 1—3.)

SECT. 2. Their Loathing of Manna, and Murmuring for Flesh, punished by the sending of quails and a pestilence. (xi. 4-35.)

SECT. 3. The Murmuring of Aaron and Miriam at Moses, for which Miriam was smitten with a leprosy, but was healed at the intercession of Moses. (xii.)

SECT. 4. The instructions given to the spies who were sent to explore the promised land, and their "evil report" of it. (xiii.) The Murmuring of the People at Kadesh-Barnea; for which all of them, who were twenty years old and upward, were deprived of entering into Canaan: and the men that brought up "the evil report of the land died by the plague," excepting Joshua and Caleb. In ch. xv. some ordinances are given for conducting the worship of Jehovah in the land of Canaan.

SECT. 5. The Murmuring and Rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, and their followers, with their punishment. (xvi. 1-40.)

SECT. 6. The Murmuring of the People against Moses and Aaron, on account of their preceding judgment, and their punishment, with Aaron's intercession for them.3 (xvi. 41

Reeves's edition of the Bible, vol. i. on Num. ii. 2.

> Pyle's Paraphrase, &c. on the Old Test. vol. ii. p. 150.

In Aaron making intercession for the rebel Israelites, we behold a lively type of Jesus Christ, who is a merciful and faithful high-priest, in things pertaining to God, to make intercession for the sins of the people.

-50.) The miraculous budding of Aaron's rod among the rods of the tribes, as a confirmation of his priesthood, and as a monument against the rebels (xvii.); which was succeeded by some directions concerning the dignity and superiority of the priestly office over that of the Levites, and respecting the maintenance of both (xviii.), together with regulations concerning the water of separation made with the ashes of a red heifer, and its use for the purification of those who were unclean. (xix.)

SECT. 7. Their Murmuring in the Desert of Zin for Water, the unbelief of Moses, the perfidy of the Edomites, and Aaron's death. (xx.)

SECT. 8. Their Murmuring, as "they journeyed to compass the land of Edom," when "the soul of the people was discouraged because of the length of the way," and also their loathing of manna, by them contemptuously termed "light bread," for which they were punished with fiery serpents, but on repentance were healed by looking at a brazen serpent. (xxi.)

PART IV. A History of the Transactions which took place in the Plains of Moab (xxii.-xxxvi.); including, SECT. 1. The machinations of their enemies against them, their frustration, and the prophecies of Balaam respecting the Jews and their enemies, the ensnaring of the Israelites to commit idolatry by the Moabites, with their consequent punishment. (xxii.—xxv.)

SECT. 2. A second enumeration of the people (xxvi.); in which are displayed "the singular providence of God, and the further accomplishment of his promise to the patriarchs, in multiplying the people of Israel so exceedingly, that in all the tribes there were only 61,020 men" less than at the first census," notwithstanding the whole of that murmuring generation" (with the exception of Joshua, Caleb, and a few others) "perished in the wilderness."6

SECT. 3. The remaining chapters relate the appointment of Joshua to be the successor of Moses, and various regulations concerning sacrifices, and the partition of the promised land. (xxvii.-xxxvi.) The thirty-third chapter contains a recapitulation of the several stages of the journeyings of the Israelites. As the best elucidation of this subject, the reader is referred to the accompanying Map, together with the table on the following page.

(Heb. ii. 17.) "Does not He, while the pestilence of sin is raging in the world at large, or in the bodies of individuals, stand between us and sin

with the incense of his intercession, and the offering of his blood, and make an atonement and stay the plague, and death eternal, to all who have a lively faith in Him? He is able to save them unto the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. (Heb. vii. 25.)" Plumptre's Popular Commentary on the Bible, vol. i. p. 253.

consult Bishop Newton's Dissertations, vol. i. diss. v. and the Dissertation On the accomplishment of all these prophecies delivered by Balaam, sur les Prophéties de Balaam, in the Bible de Vence, tom. iii. pp. 274-313. "Though God had probably rejected Balaam as an apostate prophet, he deigned to employ him on this signal occasion as the herald of the divine oracles; to illustrate the impotency of the heathen arts, and to demonstrate the power and foreknowledge of the Divine Spirit." (Bp. Gray.) Bishop Butler has a fine discourse on the character of Balaam, Works, vol. i. serm. vii.

Roberts's Clavis Bibliorum, p. 26. The following comparative statement will show how much some of the tribes had increased, and others had diminished, since the first enumeration:

second law repos Nouos), because it contains a second statement of the laws which Moses had formerly promulgated to the Israelites. From a comparison of Deut. i. 5. with xxxiv. 1. it appears to have been written by Moses on the plains of Moab, a short time before his death; and this circumstance will account for that affectionate earnestness with which he addresses the Israelites. The period of time comprised in this book is five lunar weeks, or, according to some chronologers, about two months, viz. from the first day of the eleventh month of the fortieth year after the exodus of Israel from Egypt, to the eleventh day of the twelfth month of the same year, A. M. 2553, B. c. 1451. From the account of Moses's death recorded in the thirty-fourth chapter of this book, and the insertion of some explanatory words in other parts of Deuteronomy, it has been insinuated that Moses could not have been its author: but the following remark will clearly prove this notion to be unfounded. The words of Moses (as we have already had occasion to remark) evidently conclude with the thirty-third chapter: the thirty-fourth was added to complete the history, the first eight verses probably immediately after his death by his successor Joshua, the last four by some later writer, probably Samuel or Ezra, or some prophet that succeeded Samuel. Another and equally satisfactory solution of this difficulty is the following; viz. that what now forms the last chapter of Deuteronomy, was formerly the first of Joshua, but was removed thence, and joined to Deuteronomy by way of supplement. This opinion will not appear improbable, when it is considered that sections and other divisions, as well as points and pauses, were invented long since these books were written: for, in those early ages several books were connected together, and followed each other on the same roll. The beginning of one book might, therefore, be easily transferred to the end of another, and in process of time be considered as its real conclusion, as in the case of Deuteronomy; especially as the supplemental chapter contains an account of the last transactions and death of the great author of the Pentateuch.'

II. The SCOPE of the book of Deuteronomy is, to repeat to the Israelites, before Moses left them, the chief laws of God which had been given to them; that those who were not born at the time when they were originally delivered, or were incapable of understanding them, might be instructed in these laws, and excited to attend to them, and, consequently, be better prepared for the promised land upon which they were entering. With this view the sacred historian recapitulates the various mercies which God had bestowed upon them and their forefathers, from their departure out of Egypt; the victories which by divine assistance they had obtained over their enemies; their rebellion, ingratitude, and chastisements. The moral, ceremonial, and judicial laws are repeated with additions and explanations; and the people are urged to obedience in the most affectionate manner, from the consideration of the endearing promises made to them by God, which he would assuredly perform, if they did not frustrate his designs of mercy by their own wilful obstinacy. That no person might thereafter plead ignorance of the divine law, he commanded that it should be read to all the people at the end of every seventh year; and concluded his ministerial labours among the Israelites by a most admirable ode, which he commanded every one to learn, and by giving his prophetic benediction to the twelve tribes.

III. This book contains only one PROPHECY RELATIVE TO THE MESSIAH, viz. Deut. xviii. 15. 18, 19., which was fulfilled fifteen hundred years after it had been delivered, and is expressly applied to Jesus Christ in Acts iii. 22, 23. and vii. 37.; it also comprises several very remarkable predictions relative to the Israelites, some of which are fulfilled before our eyes. These prophecies," it has been justly remarked,3

"become more numerous and distinct towards the close of his life. His denunciations with respect to the future state of the Israelites; the sufferings, the dispersions, and the devastations to which they were to be subject; the prophetic blessings which he pronounced on the different tribes by name; the clear foresight which he had of the rapid victories of their invaders, and of the extreme miseries which they were to experience when besieged; his express predictions relating to the future condition of the Jews, which we see

1 Alexander's Hebrew and English Pentateuch, cite. by Dr. Clarke on Deut. xxxiv., who is of opinion that this chapter should constitute the first chapter of the book of Joshua.

2 On the accomplishment of this prediction, see Vol. I. ch. I. Sec. II. App. Bishop Newton's Sixth Dissertation, and Dr. Jortin's Remarks on Ecclesi. astical History, vol. i. pp. 130-149. edit. 1768.

By Mr. Hewlett, Introd. to Deut. in vol. i. of his Commentary on the Bible, ito edit.

accomplished in the present day :-all these circumstances, when united, bear ample testimony to the truth and authenticity of this sacred book, and present to our minds a memorable instance of the divine justice."

IV. The Jews divide this book into ten paraschioth or chapters: in our Bibles it consists of thirty-four chapters, the contents of which may be arranged under the four following heads :PART I. A Repetition of the History related in the preceding Books; comprising,

SECT. 1. A relation of the events that took place in the wilderness, from their leaving Mount Horeb until their arrival at Kadesh. (Deut. i.)

SECT. 2. Their journey from Kadesh till they came to the land of the Amorites, and the defeat of Sihon their king, and of Og king of Bashan, together with the division of their territories among the tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh. (ii. iii.)

SECT. 3. An exhortation to obey the divine law, and to avoid idolatry, founded on their past experience of the goodness of God. (iv.)

PART II. A Repetition of the Moral, Ceremonial, and Judicial Law; containing,

SECT. 1. A Repetition of the Moral Law or Ten Commandments (v. 1-22.) and its effect upon the people of Israel (v. 22-33.) ;-an exposition of the first commandment, with an exhortation to love God with all their hearts (vi.); -an exposition of the second commandment against idolatry, prohibiting any intercourse with the idolatrous nations, and enjoining the extirpation of the Canaanites and every vestige of their idolatry (vii.) ;-strong motives to obedience, arising from a review of their past mercies, and from the consideration that Jehovah was about to conduct them into the promised land, not on account of their own righteousness, but of his great mercy. (viii. ix. x. xi.) SECT. 2. A Repetition of the Ceremonial Law (xii.—xvi.) ; -a command to abolish all idolatry, and regulations for the worship of God (xii.);-laws against false prophets, and idolatrous cities (xiii.) ;-prohibition against disfiguring themselves in mourning (xiv. 1, 2.) ;-a recapitulation of the law concerning clean and unclean animals (xiv. 3—21.), -and the payment of tithes to the Levites (xiv. 22—29.) ; -regulations concerning the year of release (xv.);-concerning the stated annual feasts, the Passover, Pentecost, and Feast of Tabernacles (xvi. 1-17.);-the election of judges, and administration of justice (xvi. 18-20.) ;—a prohibition against planting groves or setting up idols near the altar of God. (xvi. 21, 22.)

SECT. 3. A Repetition and Exposition of the Judicial Law (xvii.-xxvi.) ;-a command to put idolaters to death, regulations for determining difficult controversies, and concerning the election and qualifications of a king (xvii.) ;—the maintenance of the priests and Levites (xviii. 1—8.) ;— cautions against following the abominations of the Gentile nations, especially divination (xviii. 9—14.) ;—a prediction relative to the great prophet that should arise (xviii. 1519.); criteria for distinguishing false prophets from true ones (xviii. 20-22.) ;-laws relative to the cities of refuge (xix. 1—10.), the treatment of murderers (xix. 11-13.), and the evidence of witnesses (xix. 15—21.) ;—laws concerning war and the treatment of the Canaanites (xx.) ;—the expiation of uncertain murder, marriage with captives, rights of the first-born, punishment of a disobedient son, &c. (xxi.) ;-regulations concerning things lost or strayed, the distinguishing of the sexes by their apparel, punishment of adultery, &c. (xxii.) ;-who may or may not enter into the congregation-prohibition against all uncleannessregulations concerning usury, vows, and trespasses (xxiii.); -of divorces, the privileges of newly married men, pledges, manstealing, wages, the execution of justice, and gleanings (xxiv.); concerning lawsuits and punishments, weights and measures, &c. (xxv.) ;-ceremonies to be observed in offering first-fruits (xxvi. 1—15.);-the covenant between God and the Israelites. (xxvi. 16—19.)

PART III. The Confirmation of the Law; for which purpose the law was to be written on stones, and set up on Mount Ebal, (xxvii.);-prophetic promises to the obedient, and curses against the disobedient (xxviii.);1—an exhortation to obedience from a review of their past mercies, and to dedicate On the prophecies contained in this chapter, see Bishop Newton, vol. i diss. vii.