HAYDOCK CATHOLIC BIBLE COMMENTARY ON THE OLD TESTAMENT

LEVITICUS 7

CHAPTER VII.

Ver. 1. Trespass. Trespasses, for which these offerings were to be made, were less offences, than those for which the sin-offerings were appointed. Ch. --- Delictum, trespass, answers to the Heb. asham, and the Gr. plemmeleia; (H.) being of a more extensive signification that the Hebrew chete, sin, as it comprises even sins against knowledge. Parkhurst. See C. iv. 2. --- No particular ceremonies are enjoined, (v. 7,) only a he-goat or a ram was to be offered; if the former, the rump, &c. were to be given (v. 3); if the latter, the fat of the intestines and the reins were to be offered, and the blood poured out at the foot of the altar. --- Victim. Sept. "ram." --- Holy. To be eaten by priests, and in the court of the tabernacle, v. 6. C. --- Sins of commission, peccata, and of omission, delicta, are equally offensive to God. S. Aug. q. 20. W.

Ver. 8. Skin. Of these skins a great profit was made. Philo de prÃ¦m. sacerd.

Ver. 9. Priest's; to be divided among his brethren, v. 10. They officiated a week by turns. C. --- Each, therefore, claimed the parts allotted by God to the priest on duty. But it is not certain what part they could retain for their own use. Some think that the unbaked flour alone was to be distributed equally, v. 10. Bonfrere.

Ver. 11. This. Here the Roman, Sept., Junius, &c. commence the 7th chapter.

Ver. 12. Oil. Any of these sorts of bread would suffice. Jacob and Jethro had formerly offered sacrifices of praise, and the Greeks had some which they termed Soteria. C.

Ver. 13. Bread, for the use of the priests. C. ii. 11.

Ver. 14. Of which leavened bread, one, representing all the rest, shall be offered for first-fruits. Heb. "a heave-offering," not as a sacrifice. M. --- Others maintain that a loaf, without leaven, was laid upon the altar; and all the rest given to the priest. C.

Ver. 15. Morning. Thus were they admonished to let the poor share of the bounty which God had bestowed upon them. Theod. and Philo.

Ver. 16. It. The victim of thanksgiving was more worthy, as it proceeded from a more disinterested motive. M. --- Such victims as were perfectly voluntary might be received, though they had some defect C. xxii. 23.

Ver. 17. Fire. No part must be reserved so long, as to become offensive and putrid. C.

Ver. 18. Yea rather. Heb. "it is an abomination to be thrown away," and the soul, &c. Thus by neglecting to comply exactly with God's commands, we lose the fruits of our former piety. H. --- The flesh of these victims might be eaten in any clean place, by all those who were not defiled. C. x. 14. Joseph. T.

Ver. 19. Shall eat of it. That is, of the flesh of the thanks-offering. Ch. --- People might eat the flesh of animals which had been touched by something unclean. Deut. xii. 15. 22. But victims, defiled by any accident, were to be burnt. The others were to be eaten only by such as were clean. M.

Ver. 20. People excommunicated, or even slain, either by God, or by the judge. C.

Ver. 21. Uncleanness of man, means a person defiled, or his excrements. A Lapide.

Ver. 23. Eat, when they have been once immolated. See C. iii. 17.

Ver. 24. Uses. Heb. "for any other use: but you shall not eat it." Origen (hom. 5,) seems to reject this fat entirely.

Ver. 26. Beasts. Hence the Rabbins except the blood of fishes, as it is not specified. C.

Ver. 29. Sacrifice...Libations, flour, wine, and oil. Lyran.

Ver. 30. Hands, upon a silver dish. The priest shall direct his hands to form a triple cross. Cajet. T.

Ver. 31. The breast, and other parts mentioned, Deut. xviii. 3.

Ver. 34. Separated from the breast for the Lord, and waved before Him, as the Heb. intimates.

Ver. 35. Anointing. Le Clerc translates the food. On this Aaron shall be maintained. This shall be his salary or portion, in quality of God's anointed.

Ver. 36. Israel. Heb. adds, "in the day of his anointing," or consecration. C.

Ver. 37. Law. Six sorts of sacrifices are here specified, holocausts, flour-offerings, sin and trespass-offerings, those for the consecration of priests, and the peace-offerings.

Ver. 38. In, or at the foot of Mount Sinai. H.