HAYDOCK CATHOLIC BIBLE COMMENTARY ON THE OLD TESTAMENT

LEVITICUS 9

CHAPTER IX.

Ver. 1. Come. From the consecration of the tabernacle, (M.) and of Aaron. --- Israel. The princes of the tribes. C. --- They were to offer sacrifice by the hands of their new priests.

Ver. 2. Calf. As they had formerly adored a calf, so now they sacrifice one to God. S. Jer. in Jer. vii.

Ver. 3. Children. Sam. and Sept. "the ancients," or princes of the people, for whom a he-goat is sacrificed. --- Old. Not above, though they might be younger.

Ver. 4. Offering, &c. Heb. simply, " and a flour-offering tempered with oil; for," &c. H. --- All these sacrifices were accompanied with an offering of this nature, as they were in imitation of a dinner presented to God. M. --- You. By the cloud, resting upon the tabernacle, or by fire proceeding thence. God will manifest his presence by miracles, v. 24.

Ver. 7. Thy sin. Christ needed not daily (as the other priests) to offer sacrifices, first for his own sins, and then for the people's. Heb. vii. 27.

Ver. 9. The altar of holocausts; as he is yet considered only as a private person; afterwards he touches the altar of perfumes. C.

Ver. 10. Burnt, or placed in order to be burnt by the fire sent by God, v. 24. M.

Ver. 11. Camp. According to the prescriptions given. C. iv. 12.

Ver. 14. Water. Heb. adds, "he burnt them upon the holocaust, upon the altar."

Ver. 15. And expiating the altar. Heb. "he offered it (the goat) for sin, as the first," for himself, placing the parts of the victim upon his own holocaust. H. --- The Chaldee says, "he expiated the altar with the blood of the he-goat, as he did before."

Ver. 17. Holocaust. Which were religiously observed every day. The law respecting the libations was given already, though it be related, Num. xv. 4. M.

Ver. 21. Elevating them. After which they were used by the priest, C. vii. 31. C. --- As. Samar. and some Heb. MSS. read, "as the Lord had commanded Moses." Kennic.

Ver. 22. Hands. Thus representing the form of a cross, on which Christ redeemed us; in memory of which we still make the same sign. W. --- Them. The blessing is recorded, Num. vi. 24. And the Lord bless thee, &c. M. --- In blessing an individual, the priest laid his hands upon him; but he stretched them out towards the multitude, as a mark of superiority.

Ver. 23. Testimony. To offer incense, which always preceded the morning holocaust. --- Glory; or fire, probably issuing from the tabernacle, and consuming the victims in a moment. Thus God was pleased to shew his approbation of the priests and victims, (C.) and at the same time, to impress a religious awe upon the minds of the spectators. H. --- This fire was carefully preserved and nourished by the priests with wood; though the Rabbins say, this was done only to conceal the miracle of its perpetual continuance. A fire of the same nature, came down upon the victims, when Solomon dedicated his temple, (2 Par. vii. 1,) and was kept burning till the captivity, when it was hidden in a cistern. Being found afterwards, like a muddy water, God rekindled it again, (2 Macc. i. 18. ii. 10,) and it was not lost till the persecution of Epiphanes.

Ver. 24. The Lord: 2 Mac. ii. 10, explains this text. Fire came down from heaven, appearing like a flash of lightning, in the midst of the victims. Jos. Ant. iii. 9. C.